Was it illegal to teach free or enslaved African Americans how to read and write in the 18th century? We dive into this common misconception in this month’s edition of Fun Fact.
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Inspiration for the Modern Revolutionary
Was it illegal to teach free or enslaved African Americans how to read and write in the 18th century? We dive into this common misconception in this month’s edition of Fun Fact.
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Many of you know Colonial Williamsburg is a living museum but did you know we were also the first in our area to offer a home educator program? Last year, more than 8,000 children and family members took advantage of the fun, safe, interactive learning experience we offer. From joining our tradesmen as apprentices, to cracking spy codes, to making chocolate—we’re gearing up for another exciting week to welcome students!
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As a little girl who grew up in the 80s, I can remember playing with my Barbie “Dream House” for hours. I would carefully place Barbie, Ken, and Skipper around the table to eat with their tiny plastic forks, then sit them on their red velvet couch to watch their make-believe television. Yep. Those were the days. So imagine how my inner child did backflips when I learned about the dollhouse exhibit inside our Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. I just had to see it for myself. I just had to.
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They say the English language is one of the toughest to learn. Making it even more difficult is our use of idioms—common expressions that have inserted themselves into our everyday conversation. When you stop to consider the literal definition of those words, well, they usually don’t “make a lick of sense.”…
In the 18th century, women wore mitts with open fingers to allow them to utilize their hands. In the 21st century, the need to use our hands hasn’t changed. But the “work” we need to complete has—all thanks to the digital age and touch screens. What if you could have the best of both worlds?…
The third president of the United States loved wine so much he reportedly spent $10,000 on it during his administration. He kept his collection in a deep pit adjacent to the President’s House (currently known as the White House). There, the bottles were protected from the weather and racked on a platform floor above a bed of ice (replenished monthly) buried in sawdust. But which wine was his favorite? The answer may surprise you!…
Sunday, Jan. 4 was National Trivia Day, so we here at Making History thought it would be appropriate for the first Fun Fact of 2015 to contain a bit of trivia. How many can you guess correctly?
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Looking for new ways to get in shape in the new year? Let our own Robert Prentis give you some tips to sculpt those arms and shape those legs.
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Imagine virtually going back in time to the 18th century to complete an internship. Did you know Colonial Williamsburg utilizes many interns each year to assist in our historic trades? In a partnership with the College of William & Mary, the National Institute of American History and Democracy (NIAHD) Program allows students to attend William & Mary for a semester and take courses that are dedicated to their passion for history. Along with classes, students are given the opportunity to intern with our historic trades for about ten hours a week….
American Heroes Channel will air a three-part series on the American Revolution and its unsung heroes, starting December 15. Let us take you on a behind-the-scenes journey into the making of the series….