Colonial Williamsburg actor-interpreter James Ingram details the life of Matthew Ashby, a free black man who purchased his wife and two children in order to set them free.

Colonial Williamsburg historian Kevin Kelly discusses the differences between popular perception of George Washington and the actual man, looking particularly at his role in the American Revolution. This interview is accompanied by an image slideshow.

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

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.

Bill Barker, a Jefferson scholar and interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, discusses the political philosophy of Thomas Jefferson, in relation to the launch of a new blog publishing Jefferson quotes on the Colonial Williamsburg website.

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

Colonial Williamsburg public sites interpreter Alex Clark details the effect of Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" on the American colonies.

The American rebels stood to lose a lot by winning the war. Colonial Williamsburg sites interpreter B.J. Pryor discusses the risk of success, and the importance of the Fifth Virginia Convention in the move to war.

Historian Nancy Milton describes the English influences on the U.S. Constitution, including documents reaching as far back as the Magna Carta.

Britain's tax on paper goods was unremarkable in itself, but the colonies' furious response surprised two continents. Historian Linda Rowe talks about the Stamp Act.

Architectural historian Ed Chappell explains the reconstruction of the Charlton Coffeehouse in Colonial Williamsburg and the function of the coffeehouse when it stood.

Lady Dunmore, wife of Lord Dunmore (royal governor of Virginia from 1771 to 1776), was beloved by the colonists. Interpreter Corrine Dame reflects on Lady Dunmore's life.