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March 1, 2012

Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg Offer Engaging Interactive Programs for Children this Spring

The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg give families an opportunity to enjoy new and returning programs this spring at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, 326 W. Francis St., in Williamsburg.

“Kids in Art” is a new guided tour for guests to explore the galleries in search of depictions of kids in art and then create their own kid-inspired masterpiece to take home. This program begins at 1:45 p.m. Fridays, April 6-June 15.

Other programs offered beginning in March and April include:

  • “The Material World.” Explore the world of art through the eyes of a conservator. Hands-on activities help children see how interconnected science and art truly are at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, March 14-June 13 (except April 25 and May 9).
  • “When Insects Invade: The Unwanted Museum Visitor.” Uncover more about a museum conservator’s job by learning what types of insects museums worry about, what kind of damage they can do and how conservators deal with them. This program begins at 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, March 15-June 14.
  • “Accessorize!” Examine the exciting exhibit, “Fashion Accessories from Head to Toe,” as well as 18th- and 19th-century portraits that illustrate the accessories, with a hands-on activity to follow. This program is at 10:30 a.m. March 15, 22 and 29, and at 4 p.m. Fridays in April.
  • “Art Stop.” Create a work of art to take home inspired by objects in the collection during the program at 10:30 a.m. March 17 and 24, and Tuesdays, April 3-June 12.
  • “Magical Creatures.” Search the galleries for griffins, phoenixes, mermaids, dragons and unicorns while recording discoveries in a book to take home. This guided tour is at 4 p.m. Tuesdays, April 3-24.
  • “Explore the Declaration of Independence.” Trace the exciting events leading to the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. Young guests can create a patriotic souvenir to take home at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesdays, April 3-June 12.
  • “Crack the Code.” Examine codes and ciphers, and young guests try “cracking the code” using the spy techniques they have learned at 2 p.m. Wednesdays in April.
  • “Growing Up Like George Washington.” Discover what it was like to grow up in the days of George Washington at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, April 5-26.
  • “Heraldry.” Explore the galleries for coats of arms. While learning the meaning behind the symbols, kids may illustrate a book to take home. Recommended for children 8 and up. This program will take place at 1:45 p.m. Thursdays, April 5-June 14.
  • “Artist Trading Cards.” Create a set of artist trading cards to commemorate their visit at 10:30 a.m. Fridays, April 6- June 15.

    A Colonial Williamsburg admissions ticket, museum pass or Good Neighbor Card provides access to these programs. For more information, please call 1-800-HISTORY or (757) 220-7724.

    Programs and exhibitions at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum are supported by the DeWitt Wallace Endowment Fund.

    The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg include the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum is home to the nation’s premier collection of American folk art, with more than 5,000 folk art objects made during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum exhibits the best in British and American decorative arts from 1670-1830.

    The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg are located at the intersection of Francis and South Henry Streets in Williamsburg Va., and are entered through the Public Hospital of 1773. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. through 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through March 11. Beginning March 12, museum hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. For museum program information, telephone (757) 220-7724.

    The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is the not-for-profit educational and cultural organization dedicated to the preservation, interpretation and presentation of the restored 18th-century Revolutionary capital of Virginia. This town-sized living history museum tells the inspirational stories of our journey to become Americans through programs in the Historic Area and through the award-winning Revolutionary City program. Explore The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg and discover the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum featuring the best in British and American decorative arts from 1670 – 1830 and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum home to the nation’s premier collection of American folk art, comprising more than 5,000 folk art objects made during the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Colonial Williamsburg Hotels feature conference spaces and recreation activities from spa and fine dining to world-class golf. Colonial Williamsburg is committed to expanding its thought-provoking programming through education outreach on-site and online. Purchase of Colonial Williamsburg products and services supports the preservation, research and educational programs of the Foundation. Philanthropic support by individuals, corporations, and foundations benefits the educational mission of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

    Williamsburg is located in Virginia’s Tidewater region, 20 minutes from Newport News, within an hour’s drive of Richmond and Norfolk, and 150 miles south of Washington, D.C. For more information about Colonial Williamsburg, call 1-800-HISTORY or visit Colonial Williamsburg’s website at www.history.org.

    Media Contact:
    Penna Rogers
    (757) 220-7121



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