The Blog of Colonial Williamsburg
What do an eighteenth-century invoice, a circus lion, a boat etched on a window pane, wallpaper fragments, dendrochronology samples, and a 1952 Antiques Forum program have in common? They are all pieces of the remarkable history of the Thomas Everard House that are part of Colonial Williamsburg’s museum and library collections….
Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg may think that our work to preserve Virginia’s 18th-century capital means that the place never changes. Every day, however, we strive to learn more about the past and build on the work of our predecessors to represent the city as accurately as possible.
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For me, Christmas this year started in March. I know. I am one of those people who does not decorate until AFTER Thanksgiving. But there I was being tasked with creating a new show for our evening programs at Christmas. And I was excited! I love the holiday season in Colonial Williamsburg; the history that the town holds around this season is fantastic. So after months of hard work, from many departments, allow me to introduce to you a brand new, exciting evening program, ‘Tis the Season: An Un-Colonial Christmas.
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Giving Tuesday is a time to celebrate and encourage the joy of giving back to nonprofits that matter—and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation needs your help!
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Looking for meaningful gifts this holiday season? Delight your loved ones by giving a gift that makes a difference: a Present from the Past from Colonial Williamsburg.
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The heat index soared this weekend, and that naturally raises questions about safety—for both our costumed interpreters and animals. Besides plenty of water, breaks, and shade, Coach & Livestock utilizes a heat index policy for working animals.
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“Papi, am I a princess?”
“Yes, Anabella, you are. But we all are. In our country every one of us is a king or a princess,” I said, echoing the words of young Mr. Jefferson as played by Kurt Smith….
Some of the ladies at Mount Airy Plantation, ancestral home of the Tayloe family. Susan Nash (center), with Louise Tayloe, Bessie Tayloe, Estelle Tayloe, and Mrs. Stansbury. Susan Higginson Nash Photography Collection.
Work on the restoration of 18th-century Williamsburg was barely underway and Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin had a problem. Local residents were criticizing interior colors and furniture selections because they were all being decided upon by “Northerners.” Some even dubbed the start of the restoration work as a “Yankee invasion.”…
We note with sadness the passing of Abby Milton O’Neill, who carried on the Rockefeller family tradition of service and generosity to Colonial Williamsburg as well as many other worthy causes. Her lifetime involvement with the foundation, which included 28 years on the Board of Trustees and substantial contributions, greatly expanded our ability to share the story of America’s founding with ever-broader audiences….
A stylish female figure can be seen in many photographs documenting the architectural team who undertook the restoration of Williamsburg’s historic district. She often stands out as the one lone woman amidst the group of men….