Page content

June 15, 2012

Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg’s Family Programs Create Memories for a Lifetime

new program, “Memory Art,” provides guests the opportunity to create a piece of memory art based on folk art examples on exhibit and made by artists inspired by lifetime memories. The drop-in program is offered at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, 326 W. Francis St., Williamsburg, from 3 – 4:15 p.m. Tuesdays, June 19 – Aug. 14.

Returning family museum programs include:

“Mission Mythology!” is a guided tour through the galleries where the mission is to find objects associated with ancient myths and legends. Recommended for ages 8 and above. 10:30 a.m. Mondays, June 18 – Aug. 13. Approximately one hour.

“Explore the Declaration of Independence” examines the exciting events leading to the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution, and then young guests create a patriotic souvenir to take home. This program is for ages 10 and up. 1:15 p.m. every Monday, June 18 – Aug. 13. Approximately one hour.

“Growing up Like George Washington” illustrates what it was like to grow up in the days of George Washington through a guided tour at 5:30 p.m. Mondays, June 18 – Aug. 13. Approximately 45 minutes.

“Scherenschnitte…What’s That?” lets young guests try their hand at the German art of scissor cutting. Simple silhouettes to more intricate designs are among the choices to snip out in the same manner as Swiss and German immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries. When finished, guests can take their scherenschnitte keepsake home. 3-4:15 p.m. Mondays, June 18 – Aug. 13.

“Accessorize” is a guided tour for families that explores the exciting exhibit, “Fashion Accessories from Head to Toe.” Examine 18th- and 19th-century portraits that illustrate the accessories with a hands-on activity to follow. 1:15 p.m. Tuesdays, June 19- Aug. 14. Approximately one hour.

“Material World” explores the world of art through the eyes of a conservator. Several rotating programs, each examining a different aspect of art, focus on the way light affects how we see art, the characteristics of materials and why they are chosen, what relative humidity is and how it damages objects, along with how X-rays help us learn about art. Alternating hands-on activities with a teaching component help children see how interconnected science and art truly are. This program is for ages 10 and up. 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, June 20-Aug. 8, except July 4. Approximately one hour.

“When Insects Invade” is a guided tour for children to learn more about one aspect of 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 once they get inside. 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 21- Aug. 30. Approximately one hour.

“Across the Landscape” is a guided tour in which guests may examine landscapes and scenes found in paintings and other objects on exhibit. Guests make their own mixed media landscape picture to take home. 1:15 p.m. Fridays, June 22 – Aug. 17. Approximately one hour.

Bassett Hall, the Williamsburg home of Colonial Williamsburg benefactor John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife, Abby, is the site of two family programs this summer.

“Abby’s Art at Bassett Hall” gives families an opportunity to tour the home and admire the folk art that Mrs. Rockefeller collected. Then young guests can create a theorem or stenciled still life pictures done with colored pencils on paper to take home. 10 a.m. Thursdays, June 21-Aug. 30.

“Creaks and Peeks” features hands-on and interactive activities that investigate the architectural design elements of colonial homes. This program is for children ages eight to 12. 2 p.m. Saturdays, June 23-Sept. 1.

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

Any Colonial Williamsburg admission ticket, Annual, Good Neighbor or museum pass provides access to these programs.

For more information, please call 1-800-HISTORY or (757) 220-7724.

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 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 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

Jump to Top