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

Jan Gilliam, manager of exhibit planning at Colonial Williamsburg, outlines the history of its 1773 public hospital, the first facility for the treatment of the mentally ill in British North America.

Jack Flintom, an interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg speaks as John Randolph, a loyalist in Virginia's climate of revolution.

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.

Interpreters Steve Holloway and John Hamant discuss their views on the upcoming Revolutionary War in character as John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.

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.

Colonial Williamsburg historian Lou Powers discusses the holiday season as it existed in the colonial era, as well as touching on calendar systems and class divisions.

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.

Colonial Williamsburg museum educator Anne Willis discusses the youths and marriage of Edmund Randolph and Elizabeth Nicholas, a colonial couple, married in 1776, whose families stood on opposites sides of political and religious ideology.

Note: this podcast is no longer available. To view a transcript of the original podcast, click here.