Dr. Scott Stephenson, director of collections and interpretation for the American Revolution Center at Valley Forge, discusses his discovery of 18th-century Native American beadwork in private ownership in Scotland. He talks about how difficult it is to find intact collections, with both the documentation of the pieces' origins and the pieces themselves together in one location.
Colonial Williamsburg's curator of zooarcheaology, Joanne Bowen, talks about how the bones left behind from kitchen waste can reveal information about the foodways of people from colonial days through the 19th century.
Author and historian Carson Hudson describes the Golden Age of Piracy, from approximately 1680 to 1730, focusing on the lifestyle of pirates. The presentation looks at the life and reputation of Blackbeard in particular.
Discover more about the notorious Blackbeard by reading this article by George Humphrey Yetter.
Colonial Williamsburg manager of museum education discusses the work behind a museum walking tour called "Migrating Cultures," which looks at artifacts brought to the British colonies by colonists or made by them in styles reminiscent of those in their countries of origin.
To discover more about the art on display at Colonial Williamsburg, peruse the The Colonial Williamsburg Art Museums website.
Colonial Williamsburg manager of African American programs, Tricia Brooks, discusses the primary sources used in exploring colonial viewpoints on slavery and race in Williamsburg programming.
Click here to discover more about the African-American colonial experience.
Patrick Henry's passion for his beliefs comes alive in Colonial Williamsburg's Richard Schumann's interpretation of the patriot's thoughts on the importance of religious faith in daily life.
To listen to this podcast, select "All 2009 podcasts," and scroll to the April 20th program.
Director of Educational Program Development Bill White describes Colonial Williamsburg's Electronic Field Trip program, the resources connected with it and the vision behind it, and how it may be used by educators. Colonial Williamsburg also offers a number of other resources for teachers.
The Governor's Palace is a Williamsburg icon. Chief Curator Emeritus Graham Hood discusses the work involved in reexamining the furnishing and decoration of its period rooms, to make them as historically accurate as possible.
Note: this podcast is no longer available. To view a transcript of the original podcast, click here.
The story of Jamestown continues to unfold as archaeology proceeds at the fort site. One of the discoveries was an abandoned well where early colonists dumped oyster shells, which were studied by Juli Harding, the senior marine scientist at at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. She explains how oysters join the narrative of America's first permanent English settlement.
Note: this podcast is no longer available. To view a transcript of the original podcast, click here.
War creates an industry of its own in every century, calling artisans and inventors to bring forth the best of their craft in the fastest way possible. In the Revolutionary War, this burden lay heavily on metalworkers, whose sword blades and gun barrels were in constant demand. Suzie Dye, a journeyman brass founder, discusses the technology of war in the 18th century, particularly the art of swordmaking.
Click here to discover more about colonial gunsmiths and iron workers.