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African American Clothing

This is a photo scrapbook containing images of African-Americans as they would have appeared in eighteenth-century colonial Williamsburg.

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African American Experience

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75 Years of Costume Design

Colonial Williamsburg marks 75 years of costumed interpretation. November 02, 2009

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75 Years of Costume Design

Colonial Williamsburg marks 75 years of costumed interpretation in 2009. Costume Design Center Director Brenda Rosseau describes the metamorphosis from 1934. November 2, 2009

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Fashion and Function

A corset's engineered strictness defines the shape of the 18th-century woman. Journeywoman Brooke Welborn explains the trend. May 5, 2008

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The Art of the Cut

Translating a man's measurements into suits for all seasons is the task of the skillful tailor, says apprentice Neal Hurst. June 18, 2007

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Clothing Speaks

Clothing says what words do not, in the 18th century as well as the 21st. Textiles and costumes curator Linda Baumgarten explains. January 29, 2007

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Milliner and Mantua Maker

Janea Whitacre has been creating beautiful dresses in the Margaret Hunter Shop for 24 years. August 7, 2006

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In Their Own Words

Old sources give fresh voice to slavery's story. Manager of African American programs Tricia Brooks explains how we know what we know. May 18, 2009

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African American Programs at 30

African American programming adapts through the decades. Harvey Bakari outlines the goals of interpreting Williamsburg's enslaved population. February 2, 2009

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The Bray School

A historic headmistress devotes her days to educating enslaved children. Interpreter Antoinette Brennan shares the biography of Ann Wager. September 29, 2008

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No Master Over Me

A man purchases his enslaved family to set them free. James Ingram shares the tale. February 4, 2008

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A Slave's Perspective

The Declaration of Independence was a promise extended to white men only. Hope Smith portrays Eve, a slave in the Peyton Randolph house. July 16, 2007

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Slavery and Manumission

The little-known process of manumission was a means of securing freedom for a handful of Virginia slaves. May 21, 2007

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Gowan Pamphlet, slave preacher, cont.

Hear James Ingram, Colonial Williamsburg's Gowan Pamplet, tell how an enslaved man became the leader of Virginia's largest Baptist church. February 26, 2007

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Gowan Pamphlet, slave preacher

Born at the right time, this revolutionary figure was an electrifying force. February 19, 2007

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The Slave Trade

The slave trade touched the lives of people around the globe, explains Colonial Williamsburg's Educational Program Development director Bill White. February 9, 2007

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Music passed from ear to ear

Emily James talks about the music of Africa performed on a new Colonial Williamsburg recording. June 5, 2006

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Emily James interprets spirited women

Jamaican-born Emily James has interpreted at least 16 different 18th-century women who learned how to survive lives of enslavement. February 27, 2006

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African American Interpretation

Harvey Bakari discusses the rich history of black Americans in Williamsburg. January 30, 2006

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Black Women and the Revolution

Hope Smith talks about the women and children who followed their men to war. October 3, 2005

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Brothers in Arms

Harvey Bakari shares his passion for presenting the often forgotten stories of black Americans who contributed to the American Revolution. September 12, 2005

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Harvey Bakari on Independence for African Americans

Independence was not guaranteed for everyone in the nation's early days. June 28, 2005

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Games & Interactive
Costume Design Center 75th Anniversary Timeline

Explore 75 years of costumed interpretation.

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Heads Up

Help the colonists find the proper headpiece to wear.

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Paper Doll Game

Put the clothes on the Paper Doll in the correct order in this game that shows how young girls dressed in the 18th Century.

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