Busch Gardens – Williamsburg, Virginia
This is the 50th year anniversary of Busch Gardens. While some people enjoy fast rides I am one who keeps my feet planted firmly on the ground. While walking around I could not help but appreciate the thought and effort that went into the scenery, art, and visitor experience.
Entrance gater to the parking garage sets the tone for the visit. Sorting between premium and general parking happens here.
There are several areas themed by nationality. Given the beer fortune that helped to found the park, it is natural to expect that Germany has top billing. This side gable building with clipped gables has a massive bay that frames the sculptural fountain in the foreground.
The Adolphus Busch memorial fountain has surprising artistry to it.
Thie small octagonal pavilion with Gothic arches and stylized columns is well situated where several paths meet.
This wagon, while cast off to the side (near Mexico), is deteriorating but still has some presence. The age connects it a time closer to the founding of the park than present. Judging by the mulch it has been a long time since it was drawn by horses from this spot.
The French section approaching from Park entrance begins with this steeply pitched hipped roof structure that has octagonal towers in the corners with steeply pitched octagonal roofs capped by copper pinnacles.
Two things here, the St. George sculpture and the hand painted wall behind it fittingly bring the arts into the France area.
The German section has a sprawling collection of buildings with varying roof forms evoking a medieval village.
Thirty years ago we visited Stockelsdorf, Germany. They were famous for their storks. A sculpture of stork nesting evokes this theme.
The leaded glass window here with multicolored rondelles adds much to the visual interest of the street wall. Inside it has the effect of casting beautiful colors from the sunlight. This underscores how traditional materials like glass and wood sash by skilled craftsmen can create effects that modern materials do not.
The figurative wall painting here fills the gable of the wall dormer.
This square Gothic tower with flared eaves and corner buttress provide a visible landmark.
Narrative wall painting on the FestHaus anchors the northern European theme with people in medieval garb.
Elaborately carved timbers support the entrance porch to the FestHaus.
Near the bumper cars is a medieval figure with white swans.
This heavy timber footbridge has braced frame with steel plate braces.
The beer steins are imported from Germany. Steins originated in the Middle Ages in response to the plague beer was required to be covered. The conical lids were most common.