The art of spying is as old as the art of war. Colonial Williamsburg interpreter Jay Templin talks about the techniques and deceptions employed during the American Revolution.
Check out this article by Ed Crews to discover more about espionage during the colonial era.
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.
Colonial Wiliamsburg Librarian Juleigh Clark describes her research into the events described in Revolutionary-War-era newspapers, both in articles and advertisements.
Note: this podcast is no longer available. To view a transcript of the original podcast, click here.
War creates an industry of its own in every century, calling artisans and inventors to bring forth the best of their craft in the fastest way possible. In the Revolutionary War, this burden lay heavily on metalworkers, whose sword blades and gun barrels were in constant demand. Suzie Dye, a journeyman brass founder, discusses the technology of war in the 18th century, particularly the art of swordmaking.
Click here to discover more about colonial gunsmiths and iron workers.
Settlers came to Jamestown in the 1600s looking for natural resources that would make them rich. They were disappointed in their search for gold, but the New World offered a metal nearly as precious: iron. Shel Browder of Colonial Williamsburg discusses early efforts at smelting, and describes the smelting process.
Learn more about ironworks in Virginia by checking out this article by Christopher Geist.
When slavery was introduced to the colonies in 1600, the reaction was a struggle to become free. Writer Christy Coleman discusses the efforts of slaves to secure freedom and the creation of an Electronic Field Trip on the subject for Colonial Williamsburg.
Interested in learning more about Electronic Field Trips? Click here!
From the Colonial Williamsburg website:
"Chocolate held the same appeal in the 18th century as it does in the 21st. Colonists spiced it, baked it, drank it, and drizzled it with an eagerness which makes the past seem not such a distant place."
A journeyman cook in Historic Foodways at Colonial Williamsburg, Jim Gay, talks about making chocolate.
Learn more about colonial foods by clicking here.
Elaine Shirley, manager of rare breeds at Colonial Williamsburg, talks about the management of livestock and the roles these animals played in colonial-era society.
Brenda Rosseau, supervisor of Research and Design in the Costume Design Center at Colonial Williamsburg, talks about the work involved in accurately costuming historical interpreters and the place of clothing and fashion in colonial society.
Bill Barker, an interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, discusses the work of interpreting Thomas Jefferson, and looks at some of the questions Jefferson would have been posed even in his own lifetime.