CW Planner

A Political Mind: An Evening with James Madison

Step back into the birth of a nation as award-winning actor and historian Bryan Austin brings to life James Madison, the brilliant architect of the American federalism.

Conversation: Farming with George Washington

Meet George Washington at our Ewing Field where you can discuss farming practices, innovation, and the importance of agriculture to society.

Conversation: Meet a Person of the Past

Meet people of the past for some informal conversation or activity.

DIY Craft: Jane Austen

Explore objects on exhibit through the works of Jane Austen, then make an inspired bookmark to take home.

DIY Craft: Quilting

Discover the story of Rita Mae Pettway, quilter, and enjoy a mini-quilting project.

Evening Program: Cry Witch

Question witnesses, weigh evidence, and determine the guilt or innocence of "the Virginia Witch." Not appropriate for young children due to subject matter and intense emotion.

Evening Program: Revolutionary Points of View

Step back in time to the eve of the American Revolution. There are just as many opinions about war and independence as we hear about politics and religion today.

Film: Williamsburg – The Story of a Patriot

See the 1957 film, in its vibrant 70mm format, that tells the story of a Virginia planter deciding to join the patriot cause.

For Donors: Visit a Nation Builder

Donors who have access to the donor reception center in the St. George Tucker House as part of their giving advantages are invited to meet with a Nation Builder.

Hands-on: Daily Life

Participate in the daily activities of an 18th-century family at the Geddy House.

King's Arms Wine Dinner with a Nation Builder

Dine in the company of a Nation Builder and enjoy a chef-curated five-course meal paired with some of Mr. Jefferson's favorite wines from his travels in Europe.

Performance: A Christmas Remembered

Join a Nation Builder as they share memories of Christmastide and hopes for the coming year.

Performance: A Posture of Defense at Christmas

Christmas 1774, George Washington is caught in the middle of growing fears of civil war with England. Where does he stand?

Performance: Beyond The Walls

The scholars of the Bray school have a lot that they can learn from the tiny creatures within its walls.

Performance: Designing Virginia's Seal

Join George Mason and George Wythe as committee members to design the new seal of a free and independent Virginia.

Performance: Finding Jane Vobe

A sneak peek behind the scenes into the research behind Colonial Williamsburg's newest Nation Builder Jane Vobe.

Performance: From Freedom to Slavery

After making a free life for herself as an adopted Shawnee Indian, Methotaskee is brought back into slavery.

Performance: God is My Rock

Gowan Pamphlet, an enslaved man and popular local preacher, offers his perspective on slavery, religion, and freedom.

Performance: Good Progress

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

Performance: Is Our Love Enough

Join Sarah and Lewis Hallam as they step through the trials of marriage, family, and the theatre in the 1770s

Performance: Judith and Daniel

Judith and Daniel, an enslaved couple, anxiously await their reunion after a year apart. Learn the tragic story resulting in their separation.

Performance: Merriment and Measles

Join the Washingtons on the eve of Twelfth Night in 1760 as they reflect on the past year and their hopes for the future in the midst of a measles outbreak at Mount Vernon.

Performance: Nation Builders Discuss Slavery

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

Performance: 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.

Performance: The Offering

Colonel William Byrd III, one of the most powerful loyalists in Virginia, has suddenly abandoned his allegiance to the king by seeking a commission in the Continental Army.

Performance: Visit a Nation Builder

Step into the past with a Nation Builder. Through stories, discussion, and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges they faced.

Performance: Visit with Ann Wager

Step into the past with Ann Wager, Educator of free and enslaved children. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges she faced.

Performance: Visit with Colonel George Washington

Step into the past with George Washington, Colonel of the Virginia Regiment. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges he faced.

Performance: Visit with General George Washington

Step into the past with George Washington, father of the country. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges he faced.

Performance: Visit with George Wythe

Step into the past with George Wythe, teacher, lawyer, judge, and revolutionary. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges he faced.

Performance: Visit with James Armistead Lafayette

Step into the past with James Armistead Lafayette, Enslaved Revolutionary Spy.

Performance: Visit with James Madison

Step into the past with James Madison, Scholar Statesman.

Performance: Visit with Jane Vobe

Step into the past with Jane Vobe, keeper of the tavern "where all the best people resorted". Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges she faced.

Performance: Visit with Marquis de Lafayette

Step into the past with the Marquis de Lafayette, French hero of two worlds. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges he faced.

Performance: Visit with Martha Washington

Step into the past with Martha Washington, our Nation’s first First Lady. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges she faced.

Performance: Visit with Patrick Henry

Step into the past with Patrick Henry, the Revolution’s son of thunder. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges he faced.

Performance: Visit with Reverend Gowan Pamphlet

Step into the past with Gowan Pamphlet, revolutionary Black Baptist preacher. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges he faced.

Performance: Visit with Thomas Jefferson

Step into the past with Thomas Jefferson, The Rebellious Philosophe.

Performance: Visit with Young Gowan Pamphlet

Step into the past with young Gowan Pamphlet. Learn more about his contribution to the founding of our nation.

Performance: Washington and the Shawnee War

Washington had a long history with the Shawnee as allies and enemies. Come hear his perspectives on the war against the Shawnee in the frontiers of Virginia in 1774.

Performance: Washington’s Road to Revolution

Join George Washington before he leaves for Congress in 1774 to learn about how the year’s events affected life both publicly and privately on the Road to Revolution.

Presentation: Midwinter Stories

Celebrate American Indian life and culture through stories and traditions.

Presentation: Researching Indigenous History

Join the American Indian Initiative team as they share their research, programming, and outreach efforts as the initiative turns twenty years old.

Presentation: The Shawnee and Dunmore at War, 1774

Discover how Indigenous alliances, the Proclamation of 1763, and settlers’ quest for land contributed to the 1774 Shawnee-Dunmore War and why choosing a winner isn't always clear.

Presentation: To Paint for War

Discover the warfare of the Eastern Woodlands tribes and nations and its lasting legacy in the United States.

Presentation: Two-Spirits in American Indian Life

Join a member of our American Indian Initiative as they explore the lives of two-spirit indigenous people who embody both female and male spirits.

Special Event: "Celebrity in Print" on the Stage

Meet some famous faces of the 18th century and explore how the market for portrait prints played a role in the genesis of our modern concept of "celebrity."

Special Event: Celebrating Lafayette

A celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1824 Return Visit to Williamsburg with music, pomp, and military salutes.

Special Event: Cherokee History and Culture

Join John Tooni for an evening of history and storytelling from the Cherokee culture.

Special Event: Custis Square Community Open House

Join us for a day of archaeology at Custis Square! Free flow exploration all day and conversations with George and Martha Washington.

Special Event: Il Était Une Fois-Once Upon a Time

In this dramatic presentation, the Marquis de Lafayette returns to Williamsburg on October 20, 1824, and reflects upon the people and events that he experienced in his life.

Special Event: Indigenous Gown in a Day

The Mantua-makers are making a gown in a day! See what prominent northern Indigenous nations would have considered the height of fashion made with European trade goods.

Special Event: Lafayette's "Homecoming"

Commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s Honorary Degree of Laws from William & Mary.

Special Event: Millinery for the Holiday Bride

Discover the world of 18th-century bridal wear as our mantua-makers and milliners make a gown and other fineries worn for that happiest "day of days" and beyond.

Special Event: Pocahontas Reframed Film Shorts

Richmond's acclaimed Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival comes to Williamsburg to share a series of short films written, directed, and produced by Indigenous artists.

Special Event: Salute to the Presidents

The pageantry of fifes, drums, cannon, and remarks from Colonial Williamsburg Nation Builders salute our nation’s Presidents on Market Square.

Special Event: Thanksgiving Proclamation

Hear from President Washington on the 235th anniversary of this day of Thanksgiving.

Special Event: The Bray School Opening

Join us in commemorating the reconstruction and opening of the historic Williamsburg Bray School site.

Special Event: The Crisis of 1798

How must a democracy work if it is to survive? How should citizens disagree? Join author John Ragosta, to learn about America's constitutional crisis in 1798.

Special Event: We are Everywhere

Join Professor Greg Smithers to open new insights into histories of gender diversity and sexual fluidity in Native America.

Tour: Black Artists and Artisans

Enjoy a guided tour of the exhibit “'I made this': Works by Black Artists and Artisans."

Tour: Bray School Community

Join our interpreters to explore and discover the communities connected to the Williamsburg Bray School on this one-hour walking tour.

Tour: Nassau Street, Past, Present, and Future

Join us for a walking tour and learn how a century of archaeology is contributing to a dynamic past, present, and future on Nassau Street.