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Growing a Colonial Garden

Explore this garden filled with vegetables and perfumed by heirloom roses and herbs.

A Mother Enslaved

On the eve of an estate sale, Aggy, an enslaved mother, contemplates how much control she really has over the future of her children.

A Patriotic American

Elizabeth Braxton, wife of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, reflects on the changes, challenges, and consequences faced by her family during the Revolution.

A Quilter's Housetop

Celebrate the life of quilter Susana Allen Hunter and make a mini-quilt to take home.

American Indian Encampment

This interpretive camp of a small American Indian delegation to Williamsburg explores the life ways of regional indigenous peoples, and their policies with the colony of Virginia.

American Indian Interpretation

Explore the diverse cultures of Native peoples striving to preserve their traditional way of life and learn about the roles they played in creating a new country.

American Indian Life Series

A different program each day will examine a specific aspect of American Indian history, society, and role in the American story.

Behind the Wythe House

Explore the yard and first floor of the Wythe House. Discuss Enlightenment thinking and the ideas that shaped the Revolution.

Benedict Arnold's Conspiracy and Its Aftermath

Professor Peter Henriques examines Benedict Arnold's plot to surrender West Point to the British.

Capitol Exploration

Take a guided tour of the first floor of the Capitol. Learn about the founding principles of our government and your rights and responsibilities as citizens of a new republic.

Carpenter's Yard

Discover how the carpenters use hand tools to transform trees into lumber and lumber into buildings.

Courthouse Exploration

Experience justice in the 18th century. Discover how the courthouse connects colonists to their community. Guest entry every 15 minutes

Custis Square Community Open House

Join us for a day of archaeology tours, artifact displays, and more! The site may be explored throughout the day. Guided tours offered at 10:00am and 1:00pm.

Entertainments at the Play House

See the theatrical entertainments of The Jug Broke Theatre Co. Enjoyment for all! Check the marquee by the stage for daily performances.

Expert Insights: Crafting Women's Activism

Learn how a silk sewing bag and a sampler stitched at Clarrisa Lawrence's African School are connected to the abolition and women's suffrage movements.

Finding Jane Austen

On a guided tour explore three regency objects using three quotes and make a bookmark.

Fire a Flintlock Musket

Fire live rounds at a target from two different reproduction 18th-century flintlock firearms used during the Revolutionary War.

First Baptist Archaeology Community Open House

Join us for a day of archaeology on the original site of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg! Explore the site and check out recently uncovered artifacts from 10am to 4pm.

Folk Art & Craft

Explore the Folk Art collection then make a craft inspired by an object on exhibit.

Forgotten Hero: General Rochambeau

Join French General Rochambeau as he discusses his role in the American Revolution, specifically during the Yorktown campaign.

Freedom's Paradox

Explore the paradox of the institution of slavery and the movement for independence in a 60 minute walking tour which begins and ends at the Randolph Yard.

From the Ashes

As the ashes settle on Washington D.C., James and Dolley Madison struggle to find a path forward.

Good Progress

Meet Mrs. Wager, teacher of the Williamsburg Bray School, as she debates the nature of her school with Elizabeth DeRosario, a free woman of color.

Haunted Williamsburg

Brave centuries of scares, from 18th-century colonial ghost stories to creepy modern-day encounters!

Joy in the Morning

Gather with members of the enslaved community to experience a music-filled message of hope.

Military Activity

Come explore the Magazine Yard and discover how this military storehouse and Virginia's diverse peoples shaped an empire and defined a new nation.

Music in the Galleries

Enjoy 18th-century music on a variety of period instruments (harpsichord, violin, viola da gamba) as you stroll the galleries.

My Story; My Voice

Witness a compelling story from the life of an 18th century person, and then hear from the actor interpreter as they share how they discover and bring to life a voice from the past

Nation Builders Discuss the Institution of Slavery

Join two Nation Builders to discuss how they viewed the complicated tragedy that was the institution of slavery.

Nation Builders Discuss the Rights of Women

Join two Nation Builders to discuss how they viewed and debated the rights of women.

Official Ghost Walk Junior

Calling guests of all ages! Enjoy this 45-minute ghost tour of traditional spooky stories with a Colonial Williamsburg flavor. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Palace Exploration

Experience the grandeur of royal government in Virginia on the eve of Revolution. Tours every 20-30 minutes.

Pop-Up Archaeology!

Drop in to the Art Museums for a special pop-up exhibition of artifacts from Custis Square and the First Baptist Church archaeology sites!

Public Auction

Take part in an exciting auction! Bid on selected items from Colonial Williamsburg stores as well as exclusive items not available elsewhere.

Pursuing Happiness

Witness imagined conversations between Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, and King George III to discover the ghosts behind Jefferson’s drafts of the Declaration of Independence.

Randolph Yard Exploration

Explore the kitchen building and yard of the Randolph House at your own pace. Learn about the paradox of the Randolph household, home to 27 enslaved people and the Randolph family.

Rediscover Custis Square

Take a guided tour and talk with archaeologists in the field about the current archaeological investigations at John Custis IV’s 4-acre home and early 18th century gardens.

Sentiments of American Women

This museum theatre program explores the connection between the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of 18th-century women and women of today.

She Had on When She Went Away

Explore the material culture and lives of self-liberated Black women in the 18th century and the society they inhabited.

Succordia's Prayer

As she mourns the passing of her beloved, Succordia, an enslaved woman in the twilight of her life, tells us her story of love and faith that transcends her enslaved status.

The Death of George Washington

Professor Peter Henriques will discuss the manner in which George Washington prepared for and faced his death.

The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret

Join Mrs. Washington in December of 1799 as she comes to terms with the General’s Last Will and Testament, and hear from George Washington on his evolution on slavery.

The Price of Womanhood

Meet two women separated by time, but not by place as they discuss what it means to be female, educated, represented, and equal.

The Public Armoury

Witness the effort of diverse individuals to support the Revolutionary War at this industrial complex.

The Sword and the Press

Join Colonel George Washington and Clementina Rind as they reflect on the last war with the French.

Tradespeople at the Ludwell-Paradise Stable

Join the wheelwright at the Ludwell-Paradise Stable.

Tradespeople in the Galleries

Visit with the harpsichord-makers, gunsmiths, joiners, tailors, engravers, wigmakers, or printers in the Art Museum.

Tradespeople in the Raleigh Tavern

Visit the silversmiths, wigmakers, bookbinders, public leatherworks, and more to explore the techniques and tools used in their trades.

Visit a Nation Builder

Step into the past with a Nation Builder and learn about their contribution to the founding of our nation.

Visit a Nation Builder- Aggy of Turkey Island

Step into the past with Aggy of Turkey Island, Entangled with her master; fighting for her family's freedom.

Visit a Nation Builder- Edith Cumbo

Step into the past with Edith Cumbo, Free Black Sister, Mother, Fighter, Founder.

Visit a Nation Builder- James Madison

Step into the past with James Madison, Scholar Statesman.

Visit a Nation Builder- Patrick Henry

Step into the past with Patrick Henry, the Revolution's Son of Thunder.

Visit a Nation Builder- Reverend Gowan Pamphlet

Step into the past with Gowan Pamphlet, Revolutionary Black Baptist Preacher.

Visit a Nation Builder- young George Washington

Step into the past with young George Washington, Colonel of the Virginia Regiment.

Walk through History with a Nation Builder

On this walking tour experience the 18th century community of Williamsburg and its echoes through time with one of our Nation Builders.

Weavers at Work

Learn how flax, cotton, and wool are converted from tangled masses into orderly, precise fabrics.

Women and the Law tours

Uncover the stories of women who engaged with the highest levels of colonial law and government as not only victims but active participants - even criminals. Tours every 15-20 min.