Bob Doares, a trainer and interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, talks about Karl Minnigerode, the historical figure he portrays, a German professor who lit the first Christmas tree in Williamsburg in 1842.

Associate Curator of Textiles and Historic Interiors at Colonial Wiliamsburg, Kim Ivey, discusses the fad for mourning art following the death of George Washington in December 1799.

To listen to this podcast, select "All 2009 podcasts," and scroll to the January 26th program.

Ron Carnegie, an interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, looks at the life of the historical figure he portrays: George Whitefield, an evangelical preacher who helped instigate the Great Awakening and found the Methodist faith.

John Turner, a manager of program development at Colonial Williamsburg, talks about the place of religion in colonial society, looking at the Great Awakening, African American participation in religious institutions, and the different denominations represented in Williamsburg.

Patrick Henry, as portrayed by Colonial Williamsburg interpreter Richard Schumann, defends the bill on religion he introduced to the Virginia General Assembly.

Colonial Williamsburg interpreters Bill Barker, as Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Schumann, as Patrick Henry, debate on whether Virginia citizens should be taxed to support religious institutions.

Lou Powers, a historian at Colonial Williamsburg, describes the celebration of Christmas and the winter holidays in the colonial era, while also addressing some points in the evolution of the holiday in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Marcy Wright, a performing arts dance interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, describes the place of dance in colonial society, focusing particularly on dance in Christmas celebrations.

John Turner, program manager and religious projects specialist at Colonial Williamsburg, discusses the colonial hymns that evolved into modern Christmas carols. He also looks generally at popular music in the colonial era, and at views on how Christmas should be observed.

James Ingram, a character interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, describes the life of Gowan Pamphlet, a colonial tavern slave who, influenced by the Great Awakening, became a Baptist slave preacher. For the first part of this interview, click here.

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