Williams House Happenings | Amelia Island Williams House, Fernandina Beach, FL

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Amelia Island Shrimp Festival – 2011

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

Shrimp fest visitors explore the arts

The highlight of each Spring season is the Eight Flags Shrimp Festival held the first weekend of May in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. More than 300 artists, craftsmen, potters, jewelers, and antique dealers showcase their offerings in booths set up in the center of town. The variety is amazing, with a little something for every taste. Speaking of taste, all the food vendors are non-profit groups and they offer more varieties of shrimp than mentioned by Bubba in the Forrest Gump movie. Boiled, fried, pies, twisters, cajun to name a few. Also available are funnel cakes and Byron’s new favorite this year, New Orlean’s style Biegnets (that’s doughnuts to most of us)! The weather this year was delightful with high’s in the upper 70′s and not very humid. Crowds seemed large and lots of visitors were carrying off treasures. There was plenty of music, a fun center for kids and many familiar faces among the artist’s that return each year. This year we had a full house but also managed to have a small wedding in the midst of the festival…a new first for Williams House! As usual parking was a bit crazy with all streets fully engaged and every possible empty lot suddenly producing income as a parking garage. Pirates roamed the streets and we often saw guests returning from the festivities for a bit of rest and relaxation before resuming their quest for the perfect piece of art. One interesting addition this year was a psychic reader near the entrance.

Beautiful lamps

Art and artist

Shrimp pies are popular

Wood as art

Sculpture as art

Creatures of the sea are plentiful

Yard art was also on hand

Bonsai plants

pirates patrol the streets

Shipswheel for sale

Birdhouses

Art work

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, shrimp festival
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Old Town Fernandina Bicentennial Celebration

Friday, April 8th, 2011

Pippi Longstocking or Captain's House in Old Town

When Europeans first arrived in Florida and Amelia Island, the Timucua Indians inhabitated the area known as Old Town. Occupying 40 acres between the Amelia River, Egans Creek and Bosque Bello cemetery this was the sight of early Spanish missions. In 1597 Father Micahel Aunon and his group were massacred after denouncing polygamy and angering local native inhabitants. Military outposts were later established. In 1808 the spansih controlled Amelia Island and a town began on the bluff looking over the Amelia River and near the entrance of Egan’s Creek. The US Embargo act prohibiting trade with England and France and the abolition of slavery was likely responsible for growth as Fernandina became a smuggler’s paradise with easy access to Georgia just across the Amelia River. In 1811, streets were set in place by Surveyor General Don Jorge Clarke within the 1573 Spanish Law of the Indies. Clarke placed a public plaza on the edge of the river known as Plaza de la Constitution. Although none of the original Old Town structures survived, the plaza, now called Plaza San Carlos still exists as a Florida State Park.

Last weekend, Old Town or the original Fernandina celebrated its bi-centennial with open houses, music, food, pirates and historic presentations. Deborah and I were able to visit and tour old town and it was interesting to see where it all started for Amelia Island and Fernandina. The U.S. purchased Florida from the Spanish in 1819, it became an official territory in 1821 and achieved statehood in 1845. The town of Fernandina was “moved” to the other side of the marsh in 1853 and renamed Fernandina Beach. This was accomplished at the urging of David Yulee to ease building of the railroad from Fernandina to Cedar Key on the gulf coast creating the first cross Florida access for trade. Old Town didn’t completely disapear as some of the sea captains found it to be a convenient location but the center of commerce clearly shifted to the new location. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and improved in 1998 with enhanced streets Old Town now has numerous residents who enjoy the tranquility, beauty and history it offers. In addition, archaelogical digs have confirmed it has been occupied by humans for thousands of years.

Shared below are the sights and history of Old Town as unveiled by last weekends celebration.

Ladies Street, home of bordellos in the settlement

Captain Sharpe House

Food and fun at celebration

Historic Plaza San Carlos

Pirates remind us of Fernandina History

The Daniel Kelly Cottage

Pirate club group photo

Pirates sell bounty near their ship

Music with a river view

Amelia River from bluff of Old Town

Archaeological digging

The Boat House

Dickie Anderson, author greets visitors in period costume

Egan's creek marina

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences
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Spring Flowers on Amelia Island

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

Azaleas bloom at Williams House

Springtime comes early most years on Amelia Island and this year is no exception. With temps in the mid eighties the past week everything seems to be blooming. The gardens around Williams House and all up and down city streets are letting mother nature appear in her full glory. Regardless of your color preference, you can find something to your taste. Of course along with the beautiful flowers comes loads of pollen and the leaf change over for our large live oaks. I’m not sure why they shed leaves in the spring instead of the fall like most other oaks, but they are in full leaf replacement mode and Byron has already done one large leaf sweep with more to come. Keeping the Koi pond clear is an hourly battle. We will be getting back to high 70 temps later this week and into next week, which is great since we aren’t quite ready for summer to begin this early. It’s a great time to visit on Amelia Island!

more azaleas

white blooms abound

Azaleas and bird bath garden

Williams House rose garden

Flowers and a bunny

Another rose garden view

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, williams house gardens
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Amelia Island Williams House Carriage Rides

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Boomer meets guests

Guests always enjoy meeting Boomer the carriage horse and are usually amazed at what and how much he eats. And Boomer always expects to be fed whether just passing by on a tour or taking Williams House guests for a ride. But he has such personality one can’t resist liking him and he does do a great and near automatic piloting job for the tours. This allows the driver (either Cindy or Nicole ) to tell the stories, histories and events that are so unique to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. So…if you are planning to visit with us at the Williams House, consider a historic carriage ride…we think you will enjoy it!

Ready for a ride

Boomer meets more guests

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides
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Amelia Island Garden Show – Year 2

Monday, March 7th, 2011

Colorful flowers at garden show

Last weekend was the second annual flower and garden show on Amelia Island. We were blessed with beautiful weather near 80 degrees and sunny skies. Vendors include regular Farmer’s market vendors (held every Saturday morning) and additional and unique items. Crowds were good and in addition to the booths there was live music, food, whirlygigs, vegetables and fruit, pasta and italian gourmet specialties. Operating both Saturday and Sunday, it was a great time for Williams House guests to see a garden show and enjoy the local scenery. Deborah picked up some fill in plants for some of the winter damage and some new twists. We find garden beds a never ending story with some things doing well in Florida and others that struggle. There were some awesome flowers for just about anyone’s taste and plenty of variety. Attached below are a few colorful shots of the garden show activity and offerings.

Crowds seize the moment

Bonsai

Orchids

Bromeliads

Italian sauces

Yard art

More yard art

Deborah checks out metal works

Azaleas

Cacti

Entertainment

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences
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Amelia Island Top Ten To Do’s – Page 2

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Concours car show

Having already delivered the first top ten things to do when visiting Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, we now move on to the next ten on our way to more than thrity things that are fun to do while visiting with us at the Williams House. Some items are annual, like the car show pictured at left, but most of the items are available nearlyyear round. Hope you can come visit for the fist time, or come back and do some of the things you couldn’t get done on your prior visits.

Top Ten Things To Do on Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach – pt.2

Visit the Concours D’Elegance car show
Enjoy Kingsley Plantation on Ft. George Island
Tour Art Studios
Take a ghost tour
Learn history on a Museum tour
Go antiquing
Use Williams House bikes to tour
See a real live working shrimpboat
See a sunset at the Marina
See Old Town, the original Fernandina settlement

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Carriage Ride Leads to Engagement at Williams House

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Happy couple meets Boomer

We always enjoy guests taking the historic carriage ride, but sometimes these rides are truly special. Such was the case yesterday for Craig and Jessica when he surprised her both with the carriage ride and by proposing during the ride. Craig had planned the entire trip, including choosing the Williams House, restaurants, and activities and especially the important carriage ride. Nicole, Boomer’s driver took them down to the water front for the sunset and that is where Craig proposed. Dinner followed at Joe’s Second Street Bistro and they arrived back at the Williams House to a nice bottle of chilled wine in their room. We have to admit staying at the Williams House is a romantic experience and it’s a great place to do something really special for the one you love. We wish Craig and Jessica all the best and are happy to have been a part of their special time.

Readyfor a ride and a surprise

Happy couple in front of Williams House

Another pose by the camillia tree

A beautiful engagement ring

Tags: Carriage Rides, engagements, Guest Experiences
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Tick, Tock, Guest Fixes Williams House Clock!

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Grandmother clock in WH dining room

We never know whom we will meet as guests come and go at the Williams House and that is part of the fun and excitement of owning a bed and breakfast. Recently, one of our grooms told me he was was a Horologist and that led into a discussion of our grandmother clock made by my father. I told him it wasn’t working quite right and over the course of the next two days, it was oiled, fixed, reset and now is working perfectly. His father has been in the clock business since 1944 and David is now active with two shops in the Tampa area. The company name is Boyd Clocks and they sell, repair and restore clocks of all kinds. It was very kind of him to help us get our clock going on his honeymoon, but you can tell he has a love for all things clock and enjoys making them work well. We now here the gentle chimes throughout the day and have a way of telling time in the common areas. If you are in need of clock repairs or advice, you can reach David at www.boydclocks.com, or boydclocks@gmail.com, or 813-281-2299.

Our thanks again to David for getting our clock back up and running!

Clock face

Another view

Tags: Guest Experiences, innkeepers
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Skies Clear for February Williams House Wedding

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

Bride Sable and her carriage

After a rainy week on Amelia Island the skies cleared for Sable and Kevin to be married on a sunny and slightly cool Sunday afternoon just before the superbowl. About 50 guests enjoyed the ceremony and reception at the Williams House. Sable arrived on a horse drawn carriage pulled by “Boomer” and was escorted down the aisle to meet her groom. After the ceremony, officiated by Byron McCutchen, the bride and groom enjoyed a private moment on the carriage before joining their guests for the reception in our courtyard. Guests feasted on beef tenderloin served on rolls, an antipasta platter, mushrooms stuffed with sausage, bruschetta piled atop toasted croistini, and penne pasta with alfredo sauce all prepared by the Williams House while DJ Harmony played the bride and groom’s favorite music. After the champagne toast and wedding cake were served the dancing and fun began! Following the wedding, guests and friends adjourned to O’Kane’s Irish pub to watch the superbowl. Fortunately for them, they were Packers fans! Congratulations to Kevin and Sable on a beautiful and fun filled wedding at the Amelia Island Williams House bed and breakfast.

Kevin and his groomsmen

Sable escorted down the aisle to meet her groom

Bridesmaids and groomsmen

Beautiful setting in our courtyard

Bride and groom's table

rose petals lead guests to reception

A beautiful cake

Kevin and Sable join guests at reception

Couple's first dance as husband and wife

Guests enjoy the food

Playing nice at cake cutting

Family portrait

Bride and groom by Williams House fence

Tags: Guest Experiences, williams house weddings
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Family Visitation – Fun in Fernandina Beach

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Byron’s son, daughter in-law and daughter visited recently and we were delighted to have one of those good winter weeks with temps in the sixties. Byron and Tim played golf one day, and then we all acted liked tourists and enjoyed a carriage ride, strolling the city, eating at local restaurants and shopping. We tryed to take a river cruise, but not enough people signed up so we got to walk some more after looking around the marina. It’s aways good to see family and friends and share some of this beautiful island and setting.