What's New : Colonial Williamsburg Official Site

Browse three centuries of historic clothing

Colonial Williamsburg — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:53:36 +0000

Historic Threads, our online clothing exhibit, has been spiffed up with new features, mobile compatibility, and more objects to browse.

Visit Historic Threads now and linger over the exquisite and intimate details of the wardrobe of the past.

How do you improve on a poached egg? Bread it and fry it, of course.

Colonial Williamsburg — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:52:13 +0000

The chefs of Historic Foodways share another of their favorite 18th-century recipes with us this week on their blog, History is Served.

Golden orbs of gently poached eggs gain a new layer of delectability when they are dredged in bread crumbs and parmesan cheese and bathed in bubbling hot oil.

Get the recipe.

Meet Gowan Pamphlet

Colonial Williamsburg — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:35:06 +0000

Gowan Pamphlet answered a call that set him on a path few would have imagined possible for an enslaved person in the colonial Chesapeake region.

Read the story of this singular leader.

Watch new video: Interpreting African-American History, Then and Now

Colonial Williamsburg — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:52:39 +0000

Colonial Williamsburg has a long legacy of exploring African-American history through story and scholarship. Our latest vodcast outlines the stories brought to life over decades of interpretation.

Watch the video.

Museum Tour: Discover Gee’s Bend Quilts

Colonial Williamsburg — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:18:11 +0000

Explore the unique African American quilting traditions and history of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, while exploring two examples in the museum’s collection. Families then can discover their creativity with a hands-on activity. Admission is included in any Historic Area or museum admission pass. Tour offered 1:30 p.m., Fridays, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24.

Learn more.

A Scan of Progress at the Armoury.

CWResearch — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:03:06 +0000

While the roving webcam has been deployed to the tin shop, the Historic Trades Carpenters have made great strides inside the Armoury. This week’s photo gallery provides a glimpse of recent activity.

Then and Now: The Rolfe-Warren House

Colonial Williamsburg — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:30:09 +0000

Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s interest in colonial Virginia buildings extended beyond the collection he and the Reverend Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin acquired, restored, and reconstructed in Williamsburg.

The opportunity of buying for himself Lower Brandon, an eighteenth-century mansion on the south shore of the James River, brought Rockefeller to Virginia in 1926. Two years later, he obtained the derelict home, a circa-1763, southside, story-and-a-half, four-room with central hall, and two-chamber-basement house.

See side-by-side photos of the house before and after its restoration.

Discuss now on CW Connect: What relationships did presidents have with their slaves?

Colonial Williamsburg — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:03:06 +0000

Join a discussion of the presidents and their attitudes towards slavery, and the sometime contrast between their words and their actions. How can we reconcile the idea of noble leaders and ignoble practices?

Leave a comment at Colonial Williamsburg Connect.

February is Black History Month

Colonial Williamsburg — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:29:06 +0000

Colonial Williamsburg celebrates black history this month and all year long with programs, resources, and exhibits that explore the lives and cultures of African individuals in 18th-century Williamsburg.

Learn more about the African American experience in Williamsburg.

Podcasts: now 33% more fun

Colonial Williamsburg — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:42:51 +0000

Have you ever wanted to make a comment or ask a question about the podcast? Ever wanted to easily share a link to an episode with a friend?

A redesign to the podcast page allows both, and one-click listening, too. Visit podcast.history.org to browse our updated features.

Go to the new podcast page.

The word of the day: sweetmeats

Colonial Williamsburg — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:29:39 +0000

Learn a new old word every morning with our Word of the Day feature.

Today’s word is “sweetmeats,” which are delicacies such as candied fruits and nuts or sugared pastries.

Visit the Word of the Day.

Get the free app.

Take the latest poll on Colonial Williamsburg Connect

Colonial Williamsburg — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:21:46 +0000

How much did interest groups spend in the final 60 days of the 2010 campaigns? The answer might surprise you.

Head over to Colonial Williamsburg Connect to take the poll, and stay a while to tell us what you think about the history and ethics of campaign spending.

Visit Colonial Williamsburg Connect.