Colonial Williamsburg Past and Present Podcast - Audio Podcast

Journey to Redemption

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 06:04:10 +0000

The cast and crew of Colonial Williamsburg’s groundbreaking program Journey to Redemption join to talk about how the piece was developed and why it’s so important to be having conversations surrounding racism and the history of slavery in our nation. Learn more

George Washington on Veteran’s Day

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 10:23:03 +0000

As Veterans Day approaches, the venerated Virginian veteran himself, Gen. George Washington, discusses his military past and how he believes veterans should be honored today.

The Organized Piano

Mon, 26 Sep 2016 10:00:08 +0000

John Watson, Curator of Musical Instruments and Conservator of Instruments, discusses the Foundation’s organized piano, which first belonged to the St. George Tucker family.

Founding Feuds

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:08:59 +0000

Paul Aron, Director of Publications for Colonial Williamsburg, joins to discuss his new book “Founding Feuds: The Rivalries, Clashes, and Conflicts that Forged a Nation.” In this podcast, Paul delves into some of the most infamous feuds of the 18th and 19th centuries that included some very famous names such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton.

The Return of the Cherokee

Mon, 16 May 2016 12:44:35 +0000

Each year, Colonial Williamsburg hosts Return of the Cherokee. This special event draws hundreds to observe Cherokee culture as it was in the 18th century when members would come to Williamsburg for trade, diplomacy, or even education. Buck Woodard with Colonial Williamsburg’s American Indian Initiative joins to explain some of the exciting updates to this year’s event.

The Black Petticoat Society Talks Colonial Williamsburg

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 15:29:25 +0000

The Black Petticoat Society, a TURN: Washington’s Spies fan group, interviewed Past and Present host Rachel West for their TURN-related podcast. The group discussed Colonial Williamsburg’s role as Philadelphia on the hit AMC show as well as other initiatives across the Foundation.

Importance of Portraying African American History

Wed, 17 Feb 2016 16:29:10 +0000

Stephen Seals joins to discuss some of the powerful African American programming available during Black History Month and beyond in 2016. Hear some of his favorites and why it’s so important to tell the stories of half of the population of Williamsburg in the 18th century.

Let Freedom Ring

Tue, 02 Feb 2016 19:51:30 +0000

Colonial Williamsburg and First Baptist Church have joined together for the Let Freedom Ring Challenge. Americans from across the nation are invited to ring the First Baptist Church bell in the name of freedom and equality throughout the month of February and beyond.

Sweet Tea & Barley

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 05:19:45 +0000

Sweet Tea & Barley is Colonial Williamsburg’s newest restaurant located in the Williamsburg Lodge. Chefs Anthony Frank and Sean Gonzalez chat about what went into creating a new southern-inspired restaurant and some of the dishes they put on the menu.

Harlequin’s Holiday

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 19:55:01 +0000

Join Harlequin, Clodpole and Cotton as they flip and tumble in Harlequin’s Holiday, a new holiday program. Meet the cast and hear how they bring the comedic pantomime stylings that were extremely popular in the 18th century to life today.

Blackbeard!

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:58:11 +0000

Colonial Williamsburg is embarking on its first-ever Halloween experience. The infamous pirate, Blackbeard, has returned to seek revenge after members of his crew were tried and executed in Williamsburg.

Reinventing the Wheel

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 10:00:48 +0000

The wheel may be one of geometry’s simplest shapes, but the technology behind its creation is surprisingly complex. Add to that the variations among English wheels, French wheels, carriage wheels and cannon wheels, and the story gets even deeper.

Colonial Williamsburg wheelwrights apply their expertise to the challenge of recreating the wheel for a French cannon carriage.

RevQuest: The King’s Advance

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 10:00:10 +0000

The thrilling RevQuest: Save The Revolution series opens its fifth season with a new spy plot: The King’s Advance. Dive headfirst into Revolutionary history as you join the service of secret intelligence gatherers. Gather clues, crack codes, meet with covert agents, and text your secrets to receive instructions.

Declaration of Independence

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 10:00:00 +0000

Hear the Declaration of Independence read in its entirety by renowned Thomas Jefferson interpreter Bill Barker.

The Sound of Battle: CW’s Fifes and Drums

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 10:00:56 +0000

The piercing fife, the thundering drum: both can be heard over the din of battle, making them a crucial means of communication for commands like parley, cease fire, and retreat. How does this combination work?

Memorial Day: Ask a Soldier

Mon, 25 May 2015 10:00:33 +0000

The men who served in the Revolutionary War share much in common with their modern-day brothers. The sacrifices of friendship, safety, and security unite soldiers across time. Remember their devotion and support them when they come home, urges Lieutenant Colonel James Innes, portrayed by Nat Lasley.

Resurrecting an Alehouse

Mon, 11 May 2015 10:00:08 +0000

Chowning’s Tavern is reborn as an alehouse: a rough-and-rugged sanctuary for the colonial man in search of an ale. Listen as curator Amanda Keller and Director Department of Architectural Preservation Matt Webster describe the choices they made to re-open the doors to a more authentic past.

Cancer: That Painful and Lingering Disorder

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 10:00:26 +0000

Options for cancer detection and treatment were few in the 18th century. Medical Historian Sharon Cotner lays out some of the common practices in this week’s show.

Every Home a Distillery

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 10:00:36 +0000

What do you use to wash the baby, clean the house, color your hair or serve for breakfast? If it’s the 18th century, the answer is alcohol. Professor Sarah Meacham describes her research for the book “Every Home a Distillery.”

The Business of Death

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 10:00:40 +0000

The funeral industry arises from a combination of necessity, sentimentality, and vanity. Dr. Kelly Brennan Arehart describes the path of America’s death business, and the early vestiges still with us today.

The George Washington Seal

Mon, 16 Mar 2015 10:00:39 +0000

A pocket-sized ornament gives monumental insight into the private life of America’s best-known General: George Washington.

Marry Me?

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:00:49 +0000

Modern marriage owes its structure to an historic form. Equal parts love, practicality, and business, today’s unions share more than you’d think with their colonial counterparts.

Through the Ranks

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:00:39 +0000

A new web features follows an entering class of Fifers and Drummers on their journey through the ranks.

Resilience in Tragedy: African American Lives

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:00:13 +0000

African American history is weighted with tragedy, but bringing the fullness of life to the stories of enslaved individuals is the mission of the African American History Program under the direction of Stephen Seals.

George Washington’s Wallet

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 11:00:28 +0000

What was in George Washington’s wallet? Long before the establishment of a standard American currency, there was trade, barter and credit. How were these financial activities handled with the myriad coins and metals in circulation?

Futuristic Lab Reveals Historic Secrets

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 11:00:20 +0000

Technologies that used to be beyond reach for museum professionals now can lend new insights into the hidden compositions of materials, metals, and paints. Conservator Kirsten Moffitt explains how a spike on a screen can spot a fake or reveal a discovery.

Happy Birthday, Peter Pelham

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 11:00:18 +0000

The heart of a church is its organ; and the heart of its organ is its organist. This year we celebrate the 300th anniversary of Bruton Parish Church, and the 293rd birthday of the first man to grace its organ bench: Peter Pelham. Colorful and well-connected, this musician was at the center of the American Revolution.

Old Stitch: A Beer for the Ages

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 11:00:16 +0000

Relax with a brew from the past, courtesy of Master of Historic Foodways Frank Clark. Twenty years of study and practice have resurrected the 18th century’s favorite beer: Old Stitch.

Old School Home Brew

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:01:36 +0000

The Historic Campus of the College of William and Mary had one more secret to tell, and it was a big one. Archaeologist Andy Edwards describes the surprise, and the clues that lead them to hope they’ve stumbled upon the College’s early brewhouse.

Pumpkin’s Progress

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 11:00:00 +0000

Gain a new respect for the good old pumpkin. Author Mary Miley Theobald traces the history of the venerable gourd.

Communicating Complicated Concepts

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 11:00:27 +0000

Rats on a ship smuggle a story of transatlantic trade and a colonial global economy. It’s a big idea, but the concept is made simple by the team of writers, researchers and producers who create Colonial Williamsburg’s Emmy-winning Electronic Field Trip series.

Burial Shrouds

Mon, 20 Oct 2014 10:00:33 +0000

What were colonists buried in? This was a question posed to Research Librarian Juleigh Clark. Tracking down the answer led her, and us, through the history of funerals, burials, shrouds and winding sheets.

Brick by Brick

Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:30:00 +0000

It takes a lot of bricks to build a Market House and our brickmakers are busy. So it seems like a good time to revisit this October 2011 podcast about the process for the building blocks of the Historic Area. Brickmaker Jason Whitehead tells the story.

Reading History Backwards

Mon, 06 Oct 2014 10:00:42 +0000

Jamestowne Island’s Director of Archeological Research and Interpretation Bill Kelso says that choosing which historic sites to protect from deterioration of all kinds is a matter of reading history backwards. We must consider “What are the priorities today, what are the legacies today of our history? And then look to what areas contributed.”

The Farm Eternal

Mon, 29 Sep 2014 10:00:14 +0000

No matter where the Earth glides on its axis, the days both long and short shine on a years-worth of work on the colonial farm. At Great Hopes plantation, the turning of the seasons brings with it a task suited to the temperatures: plowing, sowing, planting and harvest. Learn the rhythm of the year with Historic Farmer Wayne Randolph.

An Autumn Spectacular

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 10:00:47 +0000

Planning the fiery colors of autumn is a year-round endeavor for Manager of Landscape Services Laura Viancour. She and her team keep Colonial Williamsburg’s trees healthy and maintained, and they inform their choices with historic documentation of the 18th-century’s treescape.

Before the First Shots are Fired

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 10:00:23 +0000

Retired US Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni has some sharp insights and powerful ideas to share in his new book, “Before the First Shots are Fired: How America Can Win or Lose off the Battlefield.” Listen this week as he previews some of the philosophies he shares in his fourth book.

The Early Music Festival: From England to America

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 10:00:29 +0000

The 2014 Early Music Festival promises to be a lively one. With instruments, scores, and performances of an 18th-century vintage, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of another century. Enjoy this musical preview featuring Jane Hanson and Michael Monaco from the opera “Thomas and Sally.”

Skill and Science in Historic Trades

Mon, 01 Sep 2014 09:00:00 +0000

Intelligence born of practice combines with the study of science to complete the historic tradesman’s store of knowledge. There was no better spokesman for the Historic Trades program than Director Jay Gaynor. Jay recently passed away and we miss him. This encore podcast is dedicated to him.

African American Religion

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:00:15 +0000

When people from various regions of Africa were forcefully transported to the colonies, they brought nothing with them but the clothes on their backs and the beliefs of their hearts. This latter possession varied widely by region and tradition, but was to each a fundamental part of daily life.

Historian Harvey Bakari describes the African American Religion exhibit.

Decimus Et Ultimus Barziza

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 10:00:28 +0000

Native son of the colonial elite, Decimus Et Ultimus Barziza fulfills his family’s legacy of prominence with his career in the Civil War. Historian Drew Gruber describes with passion the path of this “average” Civil War soldier, a story that includes a wound at Little Round Top, a prison break, and a boisterous post-war career in Texas politics.

Who’s that Marching Man?

Mon, 11 Aug 2014 12:00:22 +0000

For Drum Major Lance Pedigo, leading comes naturally. All year round and at any time of day, chances are good that you’ll see him marching at the front of the Fifes and Drums, keeping time and metering the pace of the corps of young men and women who make the music of history ring through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area.

Spies in the Library

Mon, 04 Aug 2014 10:00:14 +0000

Research Librarian Allison Heinbaugh stalked the stacks of the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library looking for evidence of spies and spycraft in the 18th century. The bibliography she compiled tells its own story of loyalty, secrecy, and stealth.

Stories in Silver

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 10:00:42 +0000

Rare and beautiful silver forms share the social history of their users and their makers. Visit “A Handsome Cupboard of Plate,” an exhibit open now at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

The Color of History

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 10:00:26 +0000

Watching paint dry turns into a fascinating journey through time, history, science and technology when the Department of Architectural Preservation gets involved. Director Matt Webster shares the story behind the changing paint colors in the Historic Area, and why the colors you’ll see on the walls are a window to the 18th century.

A Conversation With Michael Beschloss

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 10:00:54 +0000

Presidential Historian Michael Beschloss visits Colonial Williamsburg and shares his views on the changes technology brings to politics and the presidency, and ruminates on the importance of place.

A Brief History of Gunpowder

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 10:00:12 +0000

From its origins in Chinese potions for immortality to the agent of death on the battlefield, the history of gunpowder is one of chemistry, ingenuity, and violence. Armorer Ron Potts fascinates with the tale.

The Bloody Battlefield

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 10:00:36 +0000

More gruesome than the injuries of battle were the means of mending them: field medicine offered no anesthesia, no modern antiseptics, and no antibiotics. David Podolfino interprets the life and duties of the military surgeon.

Colonial Boot Camp

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Pass through the gates of the military encampment and you’ll become the newest member of the Williamsburg Regiment. Learn to drill, march, and think as a unit, leaving behind the life you knew for a chance at the future you hope for. Our guest Dale Smoot commands the recruits.

George Washington Sneezed Here

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 10:00:11 +0000

The common cold was a nuisance our forbears suffered in much the same way we do today. But what remedies were uniquely colonial? Eighteenth-century apothecarist Robin Kipps shares the causes and eases for the cold.

An Apprentice at the Millinery Shop

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 10:00:03 +0000

Draping, cutting, sewing, and trim: these are the hallmarks of the milliner and mantua-maker’s craft. Apprentice Sarah Woodyard is near completion of her apprenticeship, and at the threshold of attaining journeywoman status.

Celebrating 25 Years With the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute

Mon, 26 May 2014 10:00:14 +0000

In 2014, the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute takes a moment to look back on 25 years of preparing teachers to bring the thrill of America’s revolutionary era back into the classroom.

Revolutionary History Meets Modern History

Mon, 19 May 2014 10:00:25 +0000

America’s colonial history offers a unique perspective on the modern stage. What inspiration, ideas, and cautions can today’s global revolutionaries draw from the 1776 uprising in the British colonies in America?

The Center for Strategic and International Studies brings together leaders, scholars, and historians to debate some of the questions facing emerging democracies.

Celebrating Sixty Years at the Margaret Hunter Shop

Mon, 12 May 2014 10:00:49 +0000

Milliners stood at the hub of a global trade in everything from handkerchiefs to pocket pistols, purveyors of a thousand fashionable items. The Margaret Hunter shop marks 60 years of interpreting the milliner’s trade.

Apprentice milliner and mantua maker Abby Cox shares the history of the little shop on Duke of Gloucester Street.

New Hands at the Hearth

Mon, 05 May 2014 10:00:42 +0000

Beef hearts, pig bladders, tripe, and lots and lots of butter are ingredients kitchen apprentice Kim Kosta will come to know well as she sharpens her skills in the Palace kitchen. As she rises to achieve journeyman status, she’ll have to master 25 recipes at seven levels of difficulty.

A Talking Kitchen: History Speaks at the Wythe House

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 10:00:13 +0000

Listen closely in this kitchen. In it, objects speak of their owners and of their makers. Tools speak of technology and ability. Small personal items speak of meager comforts in a hard life. Curator Amanda Keller worked to outfit the Wythe Kitchen and imbue it with a richly layered history.

Finding Connections: Chatauqua meets Williamsburg

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 10:00:19 +0000

The Revolutionary City finds resonance and relevance across the country and around the world in a vibrant partnership with the Chautauqua Institution of New York. “We walk in the same intellectual waters,” says Colonial Williamsburg Foundation President Colin Campbell in this interview with Chautauqua’s President Tom Becker.

Spring Lambs

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Preserving genetic diversity one lamb at a time: Manager of Rare Breeds Elaine Shirley talks about the 2009 generation of Leicester Longwools.

Every Great Revolution is a Civil War

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 10:00:12 +0000

Civil war is bloody, regressive, and destructive. Revolution is forward-looking, positive, and regenerative. Yet, says historian David Armitage, even the noblest revolution bears traces of the primitive violence of civil war.

Where Pocahontas Pledged Her Love

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Ongoing excavations at James Fort reveal a surprising discovery: the site of the 1608 church where Pocahontas married John Rolfe. Chief Archaeologist Bill Kelso shares the excitement of rediscovery.

The Wedding of the 17th Century

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 10:00:53 +0000

When Pocahontas pledged herself to John Rolfe in April of 1614, she cemented an alliance that would bring seven years of peace between the English and the Powhatan. Four hundred years later, on April 5, 2014, the wedding will be reenacted at Jamestowne Island on the footings of the very church where the couple exchanged vows four centuries ago. Sheryl Mays and Mark Summers of Preservation Virginia anticipate the event.

What if the British had Won?

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 10:00:30 +0000

In 1776, England had every expectation of winning a war with her upstart American colonies, and rightly so. And what if the war had gone their way? This is the premise of a class of fiction called “alternate history,” and Director of Publications Paul Aron has found some food for thought in its reimagined histories.

Meeting Mrs. Jefferson

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 10:00:57 +0000

Founding mothers increasingly are recognized for their roles in Revolutionary America. Resolute, intelligent, and insightful, these women shaped history with their words, letters, and actions. Martha Jefferson joins the cast of players in Colonial Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City, shedding light on the central relationship in Thomas Jefferson’s life.

An Organized Piano Restored

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 11:00:53 +0000

A new blog launching March 3 follows the restorative conservation of a rare survival: an organized piano. A piano combined with a pipe organ, this unique instrument towered at nine feet tall and seven feet wide.

Its restoration raises questions at every step. Repairing a broken element could mean erasing a piece of the object’s history. Conservator John Watson prepares to meet the challenges publicly in the Organized Piano blog, where he’ll search for the best balance of repair and conservation.

William Hunter: A Loyalist in the Revolutionary City

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 11:00:26 +0000

Williamsburg was a town of revolutionaries, but not everyone thought rebellion was a good idea. Men like William Hunter Jr., printer of the Virginia Gazette, stayed loyal to king and country. Actor-Interpreter Sam Miller explains how patriotic fervor made life difficult for those men and women who opposed it.

Being James Madison

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 11:00:32 +0000

A quiet, restrained genius is animated on the streets of the Revolutionary City by Actor-Interpreter Bryan Austin. Hear his approach to filling the shoes of the fourth president.

Turning Worlds Upside Down

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 11:00:20 +0000

Throughout history, the desire for justice and human rights has motivated the oppressed to demand political change and the promise of a better future.

February 21st and 22nd, Colonial Williamsburg and the Chautauqua Institution present “Turning Worlds Upside Down: Liberty and Democracy in Revolutionary Times,” an exploration of revolutions past and present.

Creative Director for the Revolutionary City Bill Weldon stops by to describe the thought-provoking lineup.

The Greatest Actor You've Never Heard Of

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 11:00:17 +0000

Onstage, bombastic actors bellowed. Backstage, privileged gentlemen roamed free. Enter David Garrick, the man who changed acting and reformed the theater. His innovations are with us yet, from footlights to scrims. Supervisor of Performing Arts Kevin Ernst tells the history.

A Conversation With Robert Gates

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:30:04 +0000

Former head of the CIA and Secretary of Defense in Republican and Democratic administrations, Robert Gates is a man who knows something about politics, pragmatism, and compromise.

He sits down with us this week to talk about the portability of American values, the constants of conflict, and the nation’s unique fortune in the caliber of its founding fathers.

Marrying Pocahontas

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:00:32 +0000

What did Pocahontas wear to her wedding? History doesn’t tell us, but research, an educated guess, and a fleet of seamstresses will outfit the bride in a stunning ensemble for the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of John Rolfe’s marriage to Pocahontas in April 2014. Brenda Rosseau of the Costume Design Center describes the choice in this week’s podcast.

Orphans of Williamsburg

Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:00:29 +0000

Historian Cathy Hellier describes the poignant histories of children left without parents. The question of providing for colonial orphans was split between the courts and the children’s caretakers. Listen this week to learn how colonial society looked after its littlest citizens.

Cannibalism at Jamestown

Mon, 06 Jan 2014 11:00:22 +0000

A gruesome relic informs a desperate history. Historic Jamestowne’s Senior Archaeological Curator Bly Straube describes the find that let scientists and historians confirm the tales of cannibalism in America’s fledgling years.

The Past Revealed: Archaeology at the Bray School

Mon, 30 Dec 2013 11:00:15 +0000

Tantalizing new research points to an impossible conclusion: the Reconstruction may have overlooked an original 18th-century building. More remarkable still is the possibility that it may have housed Virginia’s first school for the education of black children: the Bray School.

Archaeologist Mark Kostro details the story the soil tells as his team hunts for the conclusion suggested by Professor Terry Meyers’ research: the Bray School is found.

A Sermon for the Season

Mon, 23 Dec 2013 11:00:18 +0000

Reverend John Camm’s message to his 18th-century flock bears surprising relevance for today. Historic Interpreter Stephen Moore shares some delightful tidbits from his program, “A Sermon for the Season.”

Crystal Carols

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Christmas tunes reverberate from an instrument you’ve probably never heard before. Hear Dean Shostak play Ben Franklin’s invention: the glass armonica.

The Constitution for Kids

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 11:00:13 +0000

The Constitutional Sources Project launches a new initiative to present the nation’s founding document in a kid-friendly format. Executive Director Julie Silverbrook says, “These are the laws that operate on you. It’s important that you understand them.”

Raising Williamsburg's Market House

Mon, 02 Dec 2013 11:00:19 +0000

A town’s market house was a bustling hubbub of vendors, shoppers, and business. Colonists from all walks of life mingled on market days: housewives, servants, slaves, and tavern keepers. The market was the heart of the community, and as such, it was tightly regulated and regularly inspected. Architectural Historian Carl Lounsbury introduces the latest reconstruction on Duke of Gloucester Street.

Giving Thanks in Colonial Virginia

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 11:00:23 +0000

Though Thanksgiving as we know it would not become a national holiday until Lincoln declared it in 1863, colonial Virginians found many occasions to give thanks. Journeyman cook Barbara Scherer tells us what was on the table, and explains that technically, you’re probably not roasting your turkey at all.

Slavery and the School: The College's Forgotten Past

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 11:00:12 +0000

A painful history is suppressed, until a humble schoolhouse provides a means of sharing a story of mercy. William and Mary’s Professor Terry Meyers details his search for the structure that housed the first Bray School, and his hopes for finding proof at the College of “a bright spot in an otherwise dark narrative.”

Opening Anderson's Armoury

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 11:00:33 +0000

Anderson’s Armoury opens after years of research and reconstruction. Two of the project’s leads talk about the culmination of a project that changes the shape of the Revolutionary City and the narrative of a country at war.

Balance of Power

Mon, 04 Nov 2013 11:00:27 +0000

What are the three branches of government? Only 38% of Americans can answer that question correctly. A playful Electronic Field Trip premiering October 2013 lays out the separation of powers using a baseball metaphor that keeps a dense subject lighthearted. Learn more about the new show with our guest Cash Arehart.

Ghosts Amongst Us

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 10:00:00 +0000

A chilling specter of the 18th century reaches its icy grasp to the present day. Hear the story of Moses Riggs, a man possessed.

The First Oval Office

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 10:00:47 +0000

George Washington slept here, ate here, planned here, and plotted here through the eight years of the Revolution. A joint project with the Museum of the American Revolution is reconstructing the tent that Washington called home during the war. Learn more about the great man when you see his life in the field.

Wartime Deprivations

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 12:00:52 +0000

Shortages of sugar, rum, gunpowder, textiles, tea and china were among the inconveniences suffered by colonial Americans during the Revolution. Historian Lou Powers describes the deprivations and the substitutions.

"The Black Chambers" from RevQuest: Save the Revolution!

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 12:00:25 +0000

An onsite game embroils players in a Revolutionary spy’s world of danger, loyalty, codes and plots. “The Black Chambers” is game three in “RevQuest: Save the Revolution” series.

Meet the Tinsmith

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 12:00:38 +0000

For the first time in decades, a new historic trade joins the tradition of craft in the Historic Area. This week, meet Steve Delisle, the first tinsmith in the Revolutionary City.

The Virtual Republic

Mon, 23 Sep 2013 12:00:44 +0000

Students discover the power of citizenship when they review policy, suggest changes, and find ways to get involved. It’s all happening on a new website: The Virtual Republic.

Inventing the Submarine

Mon, 16 Sep 2013 13:00:00 +0000

The first combat submarine was invented as a vehicle to transport underwater bombs. Jerry Roberts of the Connecticut River Museum tells the story of an intrepid American inventor.

A Pig Worth Saving

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Ossabaw Hog shares its unique genetic legacy with visitors to Colonial Williamsburg’s Great Hopes Plantation. Historic Farmer Wayne Randolph talks about the rare breed.

Meet the Powells

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Powell House is a hub for educating people of all ages. Interpreter Pat Chilton introduces this middling family to visitors and the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute.

Immortal Bricks and Mortar

Mon, 26 Aug 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Buildings bear silent witness to the history that happens inside them. Conservator Matt Webster makes sure structures live to tell their tales.

Founding Mothers

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Sharp quills did the bidding of the even sharper intellects of the Revolution’s founding mothers. Listen to the words of Mercy Otis Warren and Abigail Adams, voiced by Abigail Schumann.

American Traitor

Mon, 12 Aug 2013 12:30:33 +0000

Would Benedict Arnold be remembered as a hero if he had picked the winning side? Interpreter Scott Green shares the rise and demise of a brilliant strategist.

Williamsburg's Indian School

Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:00:00 +0000

The Indian School at the College of William and Mary was conceived for the religious conversion of Indians. Professor Jim Axtell shares the storied building’s history.

Kids Tell the Story

Mon, 29 Jul 2013 12:00:00 +0000

History is in the hands of Junior Interpreters all summer long, as the story of the Revolution expands to include a kid’s perspective. Pam Blount tells us how sites involve children in the 18th century and today.

The Colonist's Summer Wardrobe

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 12:30:29 +0000

Southerners adapt to summer temperatures in every century. Curator Linda Baumgarten tells us how to dress for the heat in colonial style on this week’s podcast.

History's Myths

Mon, 15 Jul 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Myths abound in history’s retelling. Historian and author Mary Miley Theobald shares some of her favorites.

A Host to Treason

Mon, 08 Jul 2013 12:00:56 +0000

An ordinary tavern keeper makes the choice to side with the patriot cause, risking his livelihood and his reputation. Chris Allen portrays James Southall for Colonial Williamsburg.

Kitchen Apprentice

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 12:00:18 +0000

Apprentice cook Melissa Blank learns her way around a 200-year-old kitchen.

Courage or Cowardice

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:00:53 +0000

Fort Nelson is under attack, and its defenders are outnumbered 10:1. Should they stay and fight, or retreat? This is the central question in Courage or Cowardice, a Colonial Williamsburg evening program.

The Madness of King George III

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:00:45 +0000

King George is remembered as “The Mad King,” and “The King Who Lost America.” Was he insane, or did his doctors mistreat a medical condition? Author Ed Crews examines the evidence in his article “The Poisoning of King George” in the journal Colonial Williamsburg.

Creating an Authentic Past

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 12:00:39 +0000

The compromise between using authentic materials and following authentic practices requires finding a delicate balance. Cooper Jon Hallman describes the challenges of representing 18th-century trades as realistically as modern conditions allow.

Trades at James Fort

Mon, 27 May 2013 12:00:55 +0000

Evidence of blacksmiths and other tradespeople surfaces at James Fort. Archaeologist Dave Givens talks about seeing the fort populated with industry and trade.

Fifes and Drums: The Music

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Members of the Senior Corps of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums play the tunes that directed a soldier through his day, from morning’s first light to the night’s last ale.

Fifes and Drums: The Instruments

Mon, 13 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums introduces the instruments designed to be heard under cannon fire and over musket volleys. Learn the history of their distinctive sound with Amy Miller and members of the Senior Fife and Drum Corps.

Threads of Feeling

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:00:28 +0000

London’s foundling children were orphans in the midst of a crowded city. The exhibit Threads of Feeling tells their stories, as well as those of their mothers.

The Rules of Civility

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:00:38 +0000

George Washington copied out and adhered to 110 simple rules for polite society. What were they, and do they still apply today? Historian Cathy Hellier dissects the codes of 18th-century conduct.

Native Peoples in the Colonial City

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:00:34 +0000

What were the types and tones of interactions among European settlers, native peoples, and Africans in colonial Virginia? American Indian Initiative Manager Buck Woodard sets the scene.

Williamsburg's Courthouse

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:00:50 +0000

The Courthouse is a symbol of the presence of the law in the colonial community. Tom Hay tells this original building’s history.

Thomas Jefferson on Religion

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:00:53 +0000

For Thomas Jefferson, religion was a matter between a man and his god, with no interference in between. Listen to Bill Barker’s portrayal.

Patrick Henry on Religion

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Patrick Henry would have the church provide social services that today we relegate to the state. Listen to his religious views presented in his Assessment Bill of 1784. Richard Schumann interprets.

The Bray School

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:00:57 +0000

Williamsburg’s first school for African-American children is led by a tireless schoolmistress. Interpreter Antoinette Brennan tells the life story of Anne Wager, a woman to be remembered.

Painters and Paintings of the Early American South

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:25 +0000

Painters and Paintings of the Early American South is a new exhibit focusing on the interrelatedness of Southern artists and subjects. See it at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

Chesapeake House

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:00:38 +0000

Colonial Williamsburg’s Architectural Research department authors “The Chesapeake House,” a book devoted to the study of the region’s architecture and influences. Architectural Historian Carl Lounsbury outlines the study.

Liberty for Lydia

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:00:40 +0000

Film and television actress Erica Hubbard appears at Colonial Williamsburg in a live performance March 9 as part of Steadfast Spirits Weekend. Hear how she prepares to take on a period role, and the inspiration she finds in Lydia Broadnax’s story.

Changing Keys

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:00:15 +0000

A 130-year span of keyboard instruments documents a revolution in colonists’ musical tastes. See the progression in “Changing Keys,” a new exhibit at the Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Curator John Watson describes the outlay.

Ask George and Martha

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0000

George and Martha Washington answer audience-submitted questions about their marriage, their partnership, and the Revolution in this special Presidents Day podcast.

For the Love of Books

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:00:50 +0000

Books were treasure when each tome was made in 28 separate stages. Hear how the trade is preserved by Master Bookbinder Bruce Plumley.

Making a 200-year-old supper

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:00:37 +0000

Setting the table for a 200-year old dinner takes research and clever re-creation. Antique plates and platters bear historic foods in dining settings that reflect the season and the host. Curator Amanda Keller works with a team from the museums to lay out authentic feasts.

Mysteries Unearthed at the Armoury

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:00:24 +0000

The 2012 summer digging season yielded everything from human and animal burials to sawpits and fencelines. Staff Archaeologist Meredith Poole puts the clues into context.

Meet Gowan Pamphlet

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

A powerful agent of change during a time of the greatest repression, minister Gowan Pamphlet shared a message of hope and dignity. The first ordained slave preacher in America paved the way for the civil liberties and meaningful equality the future would bring. Hear his story.

Coming Home to Roost

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:00:09 +0000

Rare and unusual breeds of chickens make their homes throughout the Historic Area. From ornamental pets to supper-table staples, Manager of Rare Breeds Elaine Shirley takes care of them all.

Bassett Hall

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:00:42 +0000

This historic home embodies the story of Williamsburg’s rescue from decay by John D. Rockefeller and W.A.R. Goodwin. Cynthia Nothstine shares the story of the Rockefeller’s beloved country home.

Engraving Images

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 13:00:37 +0000

Copperplate engraving is an exacting process that created precise images for an age before sharing pictures was simple. Journeyman engraver Lynn Zelesnikar tells us how it’s done.

Williamsburg Christmastide

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The heart of Christmas remains unchanged, even as each generation lends new customs to the celebration. Historian Lou Powers talks Christmastide in three centuries.

Music for Christmas

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The Governor’s Musick is Colonial Williamsburg’s resident 18th-century musical ensemble. Jane Hanson, Herb Watson, Jenny Edenborn and Wayne Moss perform.

Civil War Christmas

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:00:36 +0000

Christmases during the Civil War were marked with equal parts of sadness and hope. “Uncivil Christmas,” a Williamsburg music program, captures the mood in songs of the period. Carson Hudson narrates this musical podcast.

The 12th Night Cake

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 13:00:59 +0000

A rich, brandied fruitcake is the centerpiece of Twelfth Night celebrations. Barbara Scherer describes the dessert as it was meant to be.

Hidden Symbols and Invisible Ink

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:00:07 +0000

In part two, hidden symbols and invisible ink point to a long-lost fort in North Carolina. Jim Horn concludes the tale of discoveries made and discoveries to come.

New clues for the Lost Colony

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:00:55 +0000

The mystery of the Lost Colony was doomed to remain unsolved, until researchers got curious about patches on an old map. Dr. Jim Horn lays out the story in two parts.

At the Spinning Wheel

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:00:17 +0000

Wool is spun into yarn before it hits the loom. Karen Clancy cards the fibers and feeds the spinning wheel.

The Bitter History of Elections

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:00:12 +0000

Political parties were new, the losers became Vice Presidents, and negative campaigning was finding its feet in the election of 1796. Professor Jack Lynch has the history.

Pirates Amongst Us

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:00:00 +0000

A disgruntled pirate’s haunted history lingers in the town where his shipmates met the hangman. Carson Hudson and Willie Balderson team up for “Pirates Amongst Us.”

Meet the Silversmith

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:00:11 +0000

Master Silversmith George Cloyed explains that silver on the shelf is like money in the bank, and a silversmith’s records can reveal a town’s story.

Death by Petticoat

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:00:41 +0000

Historical myths can be more appealing than the historic record. Author Mary Miley Theobald tells some of her favorites.

A Conversation with John Hickenlooper

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:00:22 +0000

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper says negative politics erodes citizens’ faith in government. Hear his views on the founders, participation, and local involvement.

Being There

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:00:53 +0000

Historic sites can speak volumes if you know what to listen for. Professor Jim Whittenburg on how to get the most out of site visits.

Historic Farming

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:00:58 +0000

Historic farming retains a connection to field and yield that modern farming does not. Farmer Ed Shultz describes the animals and methods he uses at Great Hopes Plantation.

Constitution Day

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Get to know the Constitution: a document whose genius lies in its malleability. Historian and author Pauline Maier talks ratification.

Not All Wives

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:00:13 +0000

Colonial wives were confined by strict legal codes, but widows and spinsters enjoyed some unexpected freedoms. Author Karin Wulf talks about the outliers in her book, “Not All Wives.”

Meet the Milliner

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 12:00:18 +0000

The milliner is mistress of a thousand tasks, making gowns and garments for ladies. Janea Whitacre describes the trade.

Bruton Parish Church: Restorations and Revisions

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:00:46 +0000

Bruton Parish Church is as storied a building as any in Williamsburg, with a history of idealistic restorations and later revisions. Carl Lounsbury describes the evolution of this living church.

A Center for History and Citizenship

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:00:04 +0000

Colonial Williamsburg rises to meet the future with a new mission as a Center for History and Citizenship. Foundation President Colin Campbell describes the shift.

Cemetery Secrets

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:00:08 +0000

Gravesites tell the stories of the dead and the people who mourned them. Learn about cemetery archaeology and preservation with Jolene Smith and Joanna Green from the VA Department of Historic Resources.

A Very British Revolution

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 12:00:52 +0000

The American Revolution came from an old British tradition. Hear how the English were in the habit of rebelling in “A Very British Revolution,” a tour at The Colonial Williamsburg Art Museums led by Emma Ross.

A conversation with Peter Shumlin

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 12:00:19 +0000

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin talks with us about the challenges of applying the founders’ vision to modern governance. Even after two centuries, the America they envisioned still matters.

The Use of Myth in History

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:30:26 +0000

Bringing a touch of myth to traditional history makes for a stable mix in the American memory. Author Gil Klein explains.

The Godfather of American Spying

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:30:17 +0000

Code names, dead drops, invisible ink, and secret ciphers were all part of the American Revolution. Historian Taylor Stoermer introduces Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington’s chief intelligence officer.

The Education of Thomas Jefferson

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:30:44 +0000

The third president completed studies at William and Mary 250 years ago, and went on to create a college of his own. Professor Susan Kern describes what he learned and what he later built.

To Horrify and Appall

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:30:03 +0000

Punishments considered cruel and unusual by today’s standards were commonplace in the colonial period. Historian Martha McCartney describes practices intended to shame, horrify and appall.

Meet the Tailor

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 12:30:23 +0000

The tailor’s art is all in the cut. Journeyman Tailor Mark Hutter threads the needle of historic fashion.

A Conversation with George Washington: Part Two

Mon, 28 May 2012 13:00:54 +0000

George Washington shares his thoughts on the role of government and his hopes for the future in part two of this listener-question interview. Ron Carnegie interprets the first president.

A Conversation With George Washington: Part One

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:58 +0000

We sit down with the first president and ask him questions submitted by podcast listeners. Listen as Ron Carnegie interprets George Washington.

Rare Animal Breeds in Williamsburg

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:00:04 +0000

Feathers, fur, hoofs and horns bring the Historic Area to life. Elaine Shirley, manager of rare breeds, explains how we show happy animals to the public.

Organic Gardening, Colonial Style

Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:49 +0000

Colonists went green before green was a movement. Learn to keep an organic garden the Colonial Williamsburg way. Master Gardener Wesley Greene talks about history’s methods.

Meet the Carpenter

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:00:23 +0000

You can’t build a town without wood. Master Carpenter Garland Wood describes a Williamsburg built completely by hand.

Colonial Williamsburg Connect

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:30:37 +0000

Debates over eternal American values are reborn with every generation. Co-creators Bill White and Bill Wagner help make the connections on a new interactive website.

Meet the Shoemaker

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:30:42 +0000

You can call him a shoemaker, you can call him a cordwainer; you can even call him Al. But one thing you must never call him is a cobbler.

Master boot and shoemaker Al Saguto discusses his trade in this week’s show.

Adopted by the Shawnee

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:00:30 +0000

Runaway slave Elizabeth found freedom, family, and equality when she was adopted into the Shawnee tribe. After ten years, she returned to slavery. Hope Smith shares the heartbreaking story behind this selfless act.

Fire in a Crowded Century

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:30:50 +0000

Old-fashioned fire engines had to do much the same jobs as today’s, but they relied on classic physics and plenty of manpower. Curator Erik Goldstein describes the fire engine at the center of a new exhibit at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

We'll Drink to That

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:00:10 +0000

Alcohol quenched nearly every thirst there was in colonial America. Author Ed Crews explains why the preference existed and how the prevailing medical wisdom supported it.

Unearthing Indian History

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:40:47 +0000

Native American archaeologists reclaim their tribal history in a modern-day dig. Pamunkey tribeswoman Ashley Atkins describes the discoveries.

The Wooden Teeth That Weren't

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:09:17 +0000

At his inauguration, George Washington had just one tooth left. Mount Vernon curator Laura Simo describes history’s most famous set of dentures.

The Science of History

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:40:18 +0000

Retired chairman and chief executive officer of the Lockheed Martin Corporation and former under secretary of the Army Norm Augustine says history and science go hand-in-hand.

The Boston Slave Petitions

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:26 +0000

The founders demanded freedom for themselves, but not for their slaves. Early protests show that the enslaved noticed the flaw in the logic. Historian Harvey Bakari introduces the Boston Slave Petitions.

Town Gunsmith

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:00:31 +0000

The gun is part of America’s creation story. Gunsmith George Suiter describes the technology of this potent tool.

I am murdered

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:17 +0000

A tale of murder in the final chapter in a great man’s noble life. Chris Hull tells George Wythe’s story.

The Polite Academy

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:00:47 +0000

The manners of the parlor codify the feminine culture. Kristen Spivey keeps up appearances in The Polite Academy.

Arming the Continent

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:16 +0000

New information continues to emerge from the excavation of Anderson’s Armoury. The tin shop is found, beginning a new exploration of the trade. Meredith Poole updates.

Meet the Cooper

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:00:19 +0000

The coopers’s cask is one of mankind’s strongest constructions, and the ubiquitous container for shipping items wet and dry. Meet cooper Ramona Vogel to learn more about the trade.

Great Hair

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Hear tales of hair farms, shaved heads, yak fur, and wigs rigged with live ammunition, told by wigmaker Betty Myers.

Westward!

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

America outgrows her 13 colonies and stretches her boundaries west. CNU Professor Phillip Hamilton explains the sprawl.

A Good Read

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Author Susan Berg on what the 18th century read for work and for fun.

Harsh World, This World

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:00:00 +0000

The diverse relationships between slaves and masters were governed by kindness, betrayal, trust, and cruelty. A new Electronic Field Trip, “Harsh World, This World” examines the complex familiarity of slavery.

Woodworking in Williamsburg

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Master cabinetmaker Mack Headley makes fine furniture in the plain and neat Virginia style.

A Method for Madness

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Doctors treating madness in 1773 embraced methods like bleeding, vomiting, restraint and intimidation. Interpreter Donna Wolf researched the topic for her program, “A Method for Madness.”

An Enduring Spirit

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Edith Cumbo was a rare individual in colonial Virginia: a free African woman. Learn about her life and her stature in this interview with Emily James.

Meet Benjamin Franklin

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Wry humor softens the sharp wit of this quintessentially American founding father. Interpreter John Hamant talks about portraying Benjamin Franklin.

The Mystery of the Gravestones

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Two gravestones are unearthed during a construction project. Historians and curators work to solve the mysteries below. Emily Williams tells their story.

First Do No Harm

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Restoration presents a paradox when repairing old instruments could mean erasing their stories. Conservator John Watson walks the fine line.

Williamsburg's Blacksmith

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Williamsburg’s blacksmith transforms crude metal into elegant, functional tools. Master Blacksmith Ken Schwarz details the trade.

Spies at Jamestown

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:00:00 +0000

The tale of a Spanish spy reveals England’s fragile hold on the New World. Miguel Girona tells the story of Don Diego de Molina.

Constitution Day: Trial by Jury

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:00:00 +0000

The Constitution guarantees the right to jury trial. What does it mean for a vital democracy? Director of the Center for Jury Studies Paula Hannaford-Agor explains their importance.

The Idea of America

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Democracy is an experiment sustained through debate; rights are a privilege earned through participation. Michael Hartoonian introduces The Idea of America.

More Than Meets the Eye

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Early maps and prints leave geography for last, focusing first on politics and propaganda. Curator Margaret Pritchard talks about a new exhibit at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

Excavating Ancient Armor

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

A broken helmet is discarded and forgotten, only to be resurrected 400 years later by curious archaeologists on Jamestown Island. Curator Michael Lavin describes the effort.

Meet the Basketmaker

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Basketmaking is a tradition born of utility and preserved for beauty. Colonial Williamsburg basketmaker Terry Thon practices a trade passed down through generations.

George Washington's Farewell

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:00:00 +0000

George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address teems with advice that rings true today. Listen to interpreter Ron Carnegie read excepts from the timeless epistle.

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Patrick Henry demands liberty or death in his rousing 1775 speech. Hear the immortal words voiced by interpreter Richard Schumann.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Thomas Jefferson reads the words that started it all: The Declaration of Independence.

Arsenal of War

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:00:00 +0000

A new armoury complex takes shape on the footings of Anderson’s Forge. Archaeologist Meredith Poole talks about the site’s rebuilt narrative.

Meet the Weaver

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:00:00 +0000

War makes the weaver busy. Cloth for everything from sails to bedsheets is created on his loom. Max Hamrick weaves the tale.

A Tribal Relic Returns

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:00:00 +0000

A lost relic returns to the Pamunkey tribe in a new form. American Indian Initiative Manager Buck Woodard guides us through treaties and time.

Washington's Whiskey

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:00:00 +0000

George Washington’s retirement venture had a high alcohol content. Mount Vernon’s Director of Preservation, Dennis Pogue, leads us on a tour through Washington’s whiskey distillery.

Age of Piracy

Mon, 30 May 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Pirates seek treasure both sunken and sea-going, from the 17th century through today. William and Mary Professor Kris Lane draws the connections between the old traditions and the fresh emergences of piracy.

Oral History

Mon, 23 May 2011 17:00:00 +0000

African American history is both discovered in and continued by an ancient oral tradition. Richard Josey describes the process of restoring a community’s voice.

What Makes a Good President?

Mon, 16 May 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Author and historian Alan Brinkley shares his thoughts on the alchemy of luck and chance in the Oval Office.

Women of the Revolution

Mon, 09 May 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Could the war have been won without women? Author and Professor Holly Mayer thinks not. Learn more about the inner workings of the Continental Army.

The Revolutionary Origins of the Civil War

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Abraham Lincoln makes good on the founders’ promises of freedom and equality. Author Gordon Wood lays out the Revolutionary origins of the Civil War.

Martha Leads the Charge

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:00:00 +0000

While General George Washington commanded the troops in the field, Martha led the charge at home. Historic Interpreter Lee Ann Rose describes the impact women made during the Revolution.