Bridgette Houston, an African American interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, discusses the process of manumission, by which slaves in colonial Virginia might be freed.

Tom Spear, historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg's Governor's Palace describes the history of the building during its years in service, 1716-1780, and the political contributions of its occupants.

Linda Randulfe, who produces and directs Colonial Williamsburg's Electronic Field Trips, outlines the North Carolina Cherokee nation's negotiations with colonists, including Chief Ostenaco's visit to England.

Chris Geist, a historic interpreter with the military program staff at Colonial Williamsburg, describes the historical function of the city's powder magazine, during the colonial era and the American Revolution.

Robert Brantley, who is a journeyman in the historic foodways department at Colonial Williamsburg, discusses the celebration of holidays in colonial North America, including the preparation of food for these holidays.

Martha Katz-Hyman discusses the arrival of Jews in early colonial America, their reception in the colonies, and the ways in which they observed their religion and its celebrations.

Political pressure and personal bias have hounded American journalists since the first newspapers were printed. Interpreter Dennis Watson talks about the Virginia Gazette.

Paul Aron, author of We Hold These Truths, discusses examples of famous American rhetoric, particularly dating from the American Revolution.

Architectural researcher Ed Chappell describes the 1782 Frenchman's Map, an overhead view of the town of Williamsburg referred to in the restoration and reconstruction of Colonial Williamsburg.

Historian Cathy Hellier explains the differences between modern American English and the English of the colonists during the 1700s; she looks also at new ideas on the dialect of African Americans in the Williamsburg area at the time. Click here to learn more about 18th century speech.