An important locale in any cultured city or town was the printing shop, which served to provide news and announcements as well as publishing advertisements, pamphlets, books and other reading materials.

The description states:
The Printing Office where an eighteenth century hand press is used to turn out printing as saws done in Williamsburg, Virginia, 200 years ago.
–The American statesman Benjamin Franklin established his fame through the publications he created and managed from his own printing establishment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
This card it believed to date from the 1950s.

This card depicts a master craftsman in the process of making implements out of pewter. This is   a metal alloy of almost pure tin, mixed normally with copper and less often with other metals such as lead. It was the preferred metal for those who could not afford silver. The shop is named The Golden Ball.

The description states simply:
SIGN OF THE GOLDEN BALL
WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA
The pewter maker’s shop is a part of the official craft program of the restoration.
–While it is not obvious, the person depicted is a re-enactor, trained in metal work, who crafts items in the traditional way for the edification of visitors to Williamsburg. The card likely dates from the 1950s.

This depicts a legislative scene in the Capitol Building, featuring the House of Burgesses. This was the first elected legislature in the American Colonies.

The description states:
A scene in the House of Burgesses, Capitol Building, Williamsburg, Virginia, where George Mason’s Bill of Rights was introduced and where Patrick Henry made his famous “Treason” speech.
–The “Treason” speech mentioned above is the one made in support of his Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions, which are widely considered to be a major causus belli for the American Revolution. The postcard likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the furnishings of Colonial Williamsburg, specifically the bedchamber, which was more than just a place to sleep, as evidenced by the table and chairs.

The description states:
The great bedchamber, Governor’s Palace, Williamsburg, Virginia. One of the finest collections of antique furniture is assembled in this building, which was the residence of the royal representatives in the Colony of Virginia. It is now open to the public the year around.
–These linen textured  cards are typical of cards produced in the 1950s.

This interior image of the palace shows the elaborate decorations of the supper room. Among the more notable details are the pedimented door and the crown molding.

The description states:
Supper Room, Governor’s Palace
Williamsburg, Virginia
The ballroom wing of the Palace, containing ballroom and supper room, was added about 1751 when extensive repairs were undertaken.
–The numerous, seemingly superfluous chairs lining the walls were likely called into service when there was a larger table installed. The card likely dates from the 1950s.

This picture follows on the previous image, showing much more detail of the ballroom gardens from an elevation, presumably a taller building in the vicinity.

The description states:
Ballroom Garden, Governor’s Palace
Williamsburg, Virginia
In 1724, the Reverend Hugh Jones wrote of the Govern’s Palace <a magnificent Structure, built at the public Expense, finished and beautified with Gates, fine Garrdens, Offices, Walks a fine Canal, Orchards &c> The Palace, its dependencies and gardens have been reconstructed to their original appearance.
–The gardens are of the more geometric tradition common in gardens throughout Europe at the time. The card likely dates to the 1950s.

This begins a two week visit to Virginia focussing on the historical sites of colonial Williamsburg. The first image is of the entrance to the Palace Garden

The description states:
Governor’s Palace Garden
Williamsburg, Virginia
A view of the formal ballroom garden and the ballroom wing, added in 1751, of the Goverrnor’s Palace.
–As indicated in the caption, the postcard was made in Switzerland and imported for sale as a souvenir at the Williamsburg site. The style of the card indicates a likely date of the 1950s.

This is another view of the George Washington home on the grounds of Mount Vernon, where Washington lived and is now buried. An earlier image from this blog showed an almost identical photo in monochrome, with some slight variation in the age and development of visible trees.

This and other pictures in the series were sold by the Mount Vernon’s Ladies Association. This organization still maintains and operates the estate, a rarity since most such historic places are under the auspices of the National Park system.
The description on the back of the card states:
The Mount Vernon Mansion, East Front
From a Photograph in Natural Color
It is believed this card dates from the 1940s.

This image from Mount Vernon, Virginia shows a portion of the kitchen garden. These were name this as they were filled with fruits and vegetables grown and harvested for the estate kitchen, unlike the more ornamental gardens populated with flowers and shrubs.

The plants most easily visible appear to be grapevines. The caption on the back of the card states only “View in the Kitchen Garden, Mount Vernon.”
This card is believed to date from the 1940s.

Another view of Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate, this time from the outside, featuring a portion of the flower gardens.

The back of the card states simply “The Mount Vernon Flower Garden”.
It is believed this postcard dates from the 1940s.