I have always loved Halloween. It is the one night out of the year we all embrace the strange and mysterious. Yet, I never imagined I would get the chance to help create a Halloween event right here in our colonial capital!
Last fall, before being hired as Director of Entertainment, I was invited to visit with key leaders in the Foundation. I was lucky enough to be here during Colonial Williamsburg’s inaugural Halloween event.
I was incredibly impressed with how they temporarily transformed the Historic Area into a creepy, Halloween-themed experience. Between the cresset-lined streets, the pumpkin-headed ghost horse rider, the eerie sounds at the Capitol, and all the amazing actor interpreters, it was clear: CW was striving to present a uniquely world-class Halloween event for its thousands of enthusiastic guests.
It was so much fun to see tons of young families with their kids smiling and trick-or-treating on DoG St. early in the evening. They were creating memories, together. I knew that night that I wanted to accept the job offer.
One of the first things I set out to do when I arrived here in Williamsburg from New York was to expand upon the great success of last year’s Haunting on DoG Street. I really wanted to take things to the next level. Rather than just repeat the Blackbeard’s Revenge story line, I was encouraged by my team leader, Skip Ferebee to develop a new story. Curse of the Sea Witch picks up where Blackbeard’s Revenge left off.
- Last Year: Blackbeard’s Revenge
- This Year: The Curse of the Sea Witch
With a small creative team that includes our Historic Event Planner Val Deichsel and Manager of Interpretive Programming & Development Abigail Schumann, we set out to design a completely immersive and interactive Halloween experience drawing our inspiration from research on the history of Blackbeard, Colonial Williamsburg’s ghost stories, and mythological sea monsters.
While our group is leading the charge in the creative development—pulling off an event like this is truly a collaborative operation that has involved nearly every facet of the Foundation. Another highlight has been working with the Costume Design Center and makeup artists to get the “look” of Sea Witches just right. Here are just a few of the sketches from Tom Hammond.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our goal this year is to create a free-flowing event that highlights two of Colonial Williamsburg’s greatest assets: our incredibly talented actor interpreters and our historic buildings.
Our story begins like this: Someone has stolen Blackbeard’s severed head. And in the hands of a Sea Witch, the head is a source of unimaginable power. The Sea Witches have now cursed the town, summoning from the dead Blackbeard’s ghostly crew. Until it is found, the curse will not be lifted!
The streets will feature terrified townspeople and a slew of ghost pirates who unwittingly have been brought back to life by the Sea Witches. Unlike the zombies of last year, these poor unfortunate souls will seem to have a sense of humor about their unfortunate predicament and will be just as fearful of the Sea Witches as you surely will be! (Remember, if you purchase tickets for a group of 10 or more—you get a discount!)
RALEIGH TAVERN: INSIDE A PIRATE’S NIGHTMARE
This year, the Raleigh Tavern will be transformed into the Tavern of Terror. For this experience, I pulled from an old story I read about John Custis. He was an 18th-century local butcher who, after suffering heavy gambling losses at the Raleigh, was found dead… with his throat cut. As you walk into the haunted tavern, you will experience first-hand the nightmares and torments of the undead souls and come face-to-face with those who lurk inside.
CHARLTON STAGE: CREEPY SILENT FILM
At the Charlton Stage, we will be screening the 1926 Douglas Fairbanks Technicolor classic “The Black Pirate”. Don’t expect to get too involved in the film, though. There will be some in the audience who will take great exception to the film’s authenticity!
GAOL: CURSED & IMPRISONED SOULS
Over at the Gaol, driven to madness under the town’s curse, the Gaol keep has locked away innocent people in his cells at the bidding of the Sea Witches. Endure their cries and lamentations as you learn what YOU must do to set them free!
CAPITOL: DANCE WITH THE DEAD
At the Capitol, you are invited into a virtual belly of the beast for a Dance of the Dead where you can celebrate the night’s festivities in an interactive 18th-century dance party with live music, ghost pirates, and other cursed souls. This will be the highlight of the evening—and an epic transformation.
To help create the effect of being within the belly of the beast, we’re installing giant inflatable monster tentacles (like these) that will creep up over the walls of the Capitol. They will be designed by the world-renowned London-based “Designs in Air.”
Currently, our team is working hard on the grand finale. Will the Sea Witches finally find the Captain’s elusive head? All will be revealed in the Capitol Circle by night’s end…
MY FIRST MEMORY OF CW
I can remember visiting Colonial Williamsburg as a kid with my family. While some of the memories of that visit are a little hazy, there is one story that I will never forget. My family and I were in one of the colonial houses, on a tour with a guide who was discussing a painting on the wall of George Washington on his horse. It must have been summer and I can remember the room was crowded and hot. My younger brother, who couldn’t have been more than four or five years old at the time, was listening to the tour guide’s story intently. While I cannot remember what the guide was saying about that particular painting, I do remember that, when she finished speaking, she asked if anyone had any questions. My brother asked “What happened to George Washington’s horse?” - his voice full of innocent curiosity. The tour guide answered flatly, “His horse, oh his horse died.” My little brother, in complete shock and disbelief cried out loud, “The president’s horse is dead?!!” Everyone in that room burst out laughing, including the tour guide!
Reflecting back on my childhood visit, it really is amazing to think now that I am here working, I have the opportunity to help create magical memories for other little kids and families that they will hopefully laugh about and cherish for years to come. That’s what it’s all about!
GUEST BLOGGER: ROBERT EDWIN CURRIE
Robert is an artist and BFA graduate of The School of Visual Arts in New York. He is a former co-creator of FRESH, an art collective dedicated to underground and emerging artists on Long Island. He is the curator of modern entertainment for Colonial Williamsburg, including live concerts and special events in Merchants Square and the Kimball Theatre. Robert is an avid collector of old books and vinyl records. He enjoys playing chess with his girlfriend, hanging out with his dog Basalone, and making loud noises with electric guitars at home.
Can’t Wait, we booked our annual trip around the event this year. It appears by ticket sales already it will be another success. Huzzah for CW! I love history and am a member, a little deviation with a twist is refreshing and fun. Same people probably complained about the ice rink last year and it was a lot of fun also.
It never hurts to have a little twist to gain more interest. CW will always stay true to their mission but are finding creative ways to help increase visitation. Just think kids coming for Halloween meeting these incredible actors who work for the foundation, they will want to come back and learn.
Susan Phelps says
I am horrified, but not in the Halloween way. How could this travesty be happening in Colonial Williamsburg? Don’t tell me to “lighten up!” It is tacky and disgraceful to celebrate the “undead” where truly world changing events unfolded.. I hope everyone who loves CW for its quality interpretation will speak up and speak loudly!
I don’t know. As I said, I am not a fan of many aspects of Halloween. But many people are. Of course the “holiday” is celebrated in many ways. Some, as I do, are really only kind of enjoying something more like harvest time., with displays of cornstalks, and pumpkins. Some are into it as far as letting their kids dress as a princess or hobo and going trick or treating. Others are into haunted house places they can go to be intentionally scared. I imagine others are really into the occult.
Anyway, I was just reflecting that while for most of us CW is a destination we go to for specific purposes. In my case to explore and learn about, and experience a bit of early American history to augment my understanding I gain from reading. And to enjoy myself in a place I really unwind and relax in.
But for many people Colonial Williamsburg is their home. The employees. And those who do not live there it is a place they work and commute to all year. Maybe most of them are into doing something different from their routine day to day work, which even in what I would think would be an absolutely incredible workplace for me, must be monotonous from time to time. I am a relatively frequent visitor. My wife and I spend about 10 days in the historic area a year. We would do more if we were closer. I don’t have a real knowledge of all the employee’s lives. I assume by the pictures and stories I have read that many if not most enjoy an event like this. As much as I love history, and they as well, doing the same work every workday, interpreting the history of a short timeframe every day of the year, would be something they might like to collectively step away from as a workplace community a bit maybe. If the people who work there mostly enjoy this, I would feel really bad throwing cold water on it. Maybe they deserve to have a different kind of fun in CW and use their acting, scenery making, make-believe skills in a different way for a few days.
Doing something different for a few days, (I am not sure if this is several nights or one), will not undo the mission, or what they are doing the other three-hundred sixty some days.
My kids are going to LOVE the tentacles!
I love that Colonial Williamsburg is finally doing more of the community-oriented events that many other museums have had to adapt to doing over the last few decades to keep that ever-shrinking flow of dollars coming in. It’s great to see many thousands of happy guests-not a few of whom are locals like us-having a great time there and making the old town seem lively and populated!
I think this Halloween event will turn out even better than last year’s. That’s another great thing about CW: they’re always striving to improve the experience.
Keep up the good work, CW, and Mr. Currie. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
Yes, this may not be totally correct colonial history, but as someone mentioned its just a couple days out of the year.
Everyone needs to remember it takes a lot of money to continue with the documented colonial history done here in CW. With programs like this that draw people not really interested in colonial history, their money helps pay for the things us history folk want to see at CW. So I wish the folks that complain about some of the more off history programs would lighten up, and see the big picture. Its the same if people don’t want to see programs like this or the butchering program, there are many other days in the year to come to this wonderful place.
I think this is a great event for kids and adults. If you do just a little research you will find that southern colonial America did celebrate Halloween. Just not in the fashion that we do now. This is a unique, fun and wonderful way to introduce CW to those who have never been there and to provide another fun experience for those of us who visit on a regular basis. Keep in mind that we celebrate other holidays differently now than in the colonial period. Many customs that are now entrenched in our holidays are adapted to celebrations at CW.
Victoria says
Love the idea and looking forward to a spooky mix of fun and history.
We can’t wait to see you, Victoria!
On the whole, this sounds wonderful. Hope you are joking about the monster tentacles., however. That would be a bridge too far. A quick suggestion - please remove the Halloween decorations ASAP when the events are over. I thought some of them were up too long after Halloween last year.
What a shame to waste so much time and money on Halloween!!! Another disgrace to the
colonial period. I agree with Dorothy Bell. I think CW management has lost sight of the focus of
Colonial Williamsburg!
I am thinking that they are ultimately making money. There are probably people coming who normally haven’t and will spend money while there. And maybe come back.
I don’t know about Halloween itself, but a very significant number of the people of this time period were about as superstitious as you could every hope for when it came to the supernatural, ghosts, spirits, uncanny events, portents of calamity.
There is a long standing tradition in British culture to have ghost stories at Christmastime. Hence, for example, “A Christmas Carol”. Dickens didn’t come up with a brand new idea to have a ghost story for Christmas.
So while it may not be true that any celebration of Halloween took place in Williamsburg, and this event is a fantasy, it is not unfathomable that colonists had a degree of belief, and in some cases and obsession with the supernatural.
I am actually pretty darn serious in my pursuit of knowledge of early American history. Even if I did happen to go to this event is CW, I am pretty sure my pursuit would not come to a screeching halt. Its okay, as I said in an earlier post, to lighten up now and then and have fun, and even let someone else do so.
I am not really into Halloween or creepy things.. I am more of a pumpkin/gourds/cornstalks display person when that time of year comes around.
So I wouldn’t come to CW on Halloween.. BUT to me its just one or maybe a couple days out of the year and it may draw people to CW who haven’t been and who may be inspired to try it out another time and get interested in history and learn things. So I am fine with this event. I bet it is a fun break from the usual for many of the employees. I don’t know that they all might like it, but maybe most do? Its okay to have fun sometimes.. I would guess that if it wasn’t a success last year, or it if became less than popular and crowds were low it would come to an end.
I have the impression many people including employees had fun last year so I hope that happens this year and it helps in the effort of keeping CW growing and fulfilling its mission. A day doing something a bit different might overall be well worth it.
I love the CW memories. I would love to hear more stories.
I have an iPad and can’t get the calendar to find events. Is something wrong? I was thinkng maybe since I upgraded on the Pad, It doesn’t take CW.
Can you add some insight?
Maybe try history.org, and click the VISIT button and you will see the calendar of events. You can select date ranges and see what is scheduled. It may not be populated with events too far in the future though.
Dorothy - please try this link! https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/plan/calendar/
Dorothy Bell says
How does this have anything to do with the colonial period, which I thought was the focus of Colonial Williamsburg?
Kevin says
I think the idea is that members of Blackbeard’s crew were locked up at the gaol. CW then built off of it.
Many historical places are now doing things for Halloween.
Dorothy - you might find this an interesting read! It’s our blog from last year that goes into the history of Blackbeard. http://makinghistorynow.com/2015/10/blackbeards-head-and-the-hangmans-noose-what-we-really-know-about-pirates-in-williamsburg/