On March 14, 1818, 74-year old Thomas Jefferson put quill to paper to answer a query from Nathaniel Burwell: his thoughts on how to give a young woman “a liberal and accomplished education.”…
After Winning the War, Winnie and Ike Visited the ‘Burg
On this day—March 8—in 1946, just months after the end of the Second World War, two unmistakable figures stepped off the train together just behind the Governor’s Palace….
Engraved in History, on This Day in 1770: The Boston Massacre
On this day in history, in 1770, the Boston Massacre, a major milestone on the road to revolution, took place. The first published report in Williamsburg came three weeks later, with rumors in William Rind’s Virginia Gazette of a “fray” resulting in British soldiers being driven out of town by angry inhabitants. By the next issue, new details painted a more somber picture, and the incident was already being referred to as a “massacre.”
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Behind the Scenes with Our Winter Training
On January 2, the Historic Area shut down for four weeks of extended maintenance, while interpreters and support staff took time to research, train, and catch up after the holidays….
Join Us for Special Women’s History Month Programs
Celebrate Women’s History Month throughout March with programming that provides insights into the lives of women from all social stations in colonial and Revolutionary Virginia, revealing their struggles and their aspirations. Each program is inspired by one or more period sources, either written by women, about women, or of significant relevance to 18th-century women’s lives….
The True Story Behind an American Icon, the Liberty Bell
You can know what a community values by its bells. In Williamsburg we have bells at the Capitol, at Bruton Parish Church, and at the Market House. This year the First Baptist Church renewed the Let Freedom Ring Challenge, inviting people from all walks of life to take a turn at the cord and ring their historic bell, to inspire us to keep working towards freedom and equality for all. With that in mind, we present this excerpt from “Why the Turkey Didn’t Fly,” relating the surprising story of the Liberty Bell’s origin and evolution as a symbol for our aspirations as a people….
That Time John Adams Came to Town
February 22, 2007. The conversion of the Public Gaol was already well underway when Colonial Williamsburg historian—and newly-minted historical film consultant—Cathy Hellier arrived on the set. Just the evening before she had been assigned to help out with the filming of HBO’s “John Adams,” the acclaimed seven-episode series based on David McCullough’s biography of our second president….
Two Georges: 5 Similarities between Washington and the Under-Appreciated Mason
Washington wasn’t the only “George” to make major contributions to the founding of America. Another one, George Mason, helped to mold many of the ideas we hold dear as intrinsically American, yet he is unfairly neglected as a founder. You may suspect bias, as I’ve just undertaken the role of Mr. Mason in Williamsburg….
Have a Question for POTUS? Ask It During Presidents Day Weekend!
There hasn’t been a Virginian in the White House since Woodrow Wilson a century ago, but back in the day a stream of Old Dominion natives held the nation’s highest office. Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe: from 1789 until 1821, only the second president, Massachusetts’ John Adams, interrupted the Virginia dynasty….
At a Loss For Words? Say It with a Founding Valentine!
There’s a lot happening in the world right now—matters that are far more serious than Valentine’s Day. Yet, as George Washington wrote in 1786, “it is assuredly better to go laughing than crying thro’ the rough journey of life.” With that in mind, we present these lighthearted, historically-themed Valentine’s Day cards. Or as we’ve dubbed them, Founding Valentines….
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