Colonial Williamsburg's Harmony Hunter interviews Bly Straube to discuss the importance of the well discovered at James Fort on Jamestown Island.
For information regarding the excavation of the well, see the podcast The John Smith Well.
In this podcast, Colonial Williamsburg's Harmony Hunter interviews archaeologist Bill Kelso. Kelso is the director of archeology on Jamestown Island and is currently working on excavating a well that was created in 1609 under the orders of Captain John Smith. Hunter and Kelso discuss the excavation process and the importance of the discovery.
Senior Architectural Historian Carl Lounsbury tells the story of Williamsburg's Capitol's reconstruction, early in the 20th century. The architects overseeing the reconstruction at the time focused more on issues of aesthetics and polished completion than on social historical accuracy.
Click here to discover more about Colonial Williamsburg's Capitol building.
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.
Ed Chappell, director of architectural research at Colonial Williamsburg, talks about the research required to restore buildings to their colonial-era state, and how perception of how a building should be restored and presented changes over time and with the appearance of new information.
Wesley Green, an interpretive gardener at Colonial Williamsburg, talks about the practices of colonial-era gardening, the trade in seeds, and the class associations with gardens and gardening.
Naturalist Mark Catesby (1683-1749) studied and made watercolors of the wildlife and plants of colonial America. Interpreter Robb Warren talks about the man and his art.
Inspiration intersects with means in a partnership that resurrects a city. Character interpreter Ed Way discusses W.A.R. Goodwin, founder of Colonial Williamsburg.
Modern-day curators focus on reversible restoration techniques. Conservator Shelley Svoboda describes the renewal of the Carolina Room.
From the Colonial Williamsburg: Past and Present Podcasts website—
"Colonists went green before green was a movement. Learn to keep an organic garden the Colonial Williamsburg way. Master Gardener Wesley Greene talks about history’s methods."