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(re)educate

This theatrical performance explores the agency of free and enslaved students of the Williamsburg Bray School and the legacies of their lessons.

A Gown in a Day

Visit with the Mantua-makers at the Margaret Hunter Shop throughout the day to track their progress as they create a gown from start to finish in an eighteenth-century workday.

A Public Audience with the 1st First Lady, Martha Washington

Join Mrs. Washington as she speaks about being the first President’s wife and the expectations placed upon her while the new Nation watches on.

A Public Audience with the 1st President, George Washington

Meet with President Washington as he looks back over his long career in public service.

A Public Audience with the 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson

Meet with President Jefferson as he looks back over his long career in public service.

A Public Audience with the 4th President, James Madison

Join President James Madison as he reflects on the invention of the executive branch of the United States.

A Taste of Freedom

This performance tells the story of Americus Weston’s journey to freedom during the Civil War, developed to commemorate Juneteenth.

A Taste of Freedom For Home Educators

This performance tells the story of Americus Weston’s journey to freedom during the Civil War, developed to commemorate Juneteenth.

American Indian Interpretation

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

An Evening with the Presidents

Join George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison for a discussion of their experiences as president. Hosted by Alvin D. Hall.

Bray School Preservation Launch

Please join us as we officially launch the preservation of the Williamsburg Bray School at its new, permanent exhibition site in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area.

Clothing Enslaved People in Colonial Virginia

This lecture will explore some of the complex relationships between apparel, labor, identity, and enslavement.

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

Join us at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg and learn about the quilt and the maker, then enjoy a mini quilting project.

Disaster Strikes! The Cost of Dressing in 1769

While using a 1769-70 merchant's account book, the milliners and mantua-makers demonstrate the layers of a woman's everyday outfit and discuss the other pieces of her wardrobe.

Evening Program: Almost Past Service

Join Mrs. Washington as she seeks advice from her enslaved woman, Doll, about the great decision ahead and the change it will bring to the entire family.

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, and there are just as many opinions about war and independence as we hear about politics and religion today.

For Donors: Visit a Nation Builder

Donors who contribute $250 or more annually to the Colonial Williamsburg Fund are invited to visit with a Nation Builder.

Freedom's Paradox for Home Educators

Learn about the evolution of slavery, and how the institution impacted Williamsburg, the Colony of Virginia, and both the master and enslaved people.

From Freedom to Slavery

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

From the Ashes

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

God is My Rock

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

How Did They Survive?

Join Ayinde Martin, Journeyman Carpenter, to discuss enslaved people in colonial Virginia and their survival techniques and skills.

Loquacious Lucy, Queen for a Day

When Lucy, a loquacious enslaved child, learns that her friend has been sold, her father must teach her hard lessons about slavery and instill in her the pride of her ancestors.

Nation Builders Discuss the Rights of Women

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

Patriots at Play

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

Performance: A New Republic

This series of museum theater programs relate to the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and democracy.

Performance: Revolutionary Acts

This series of museum theater programs relate to the experience and meaning of the Revolution for the 18th-century Williamsburg community.

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: Voices of Freedom

This series of museum theater programs relate to the theme of freedom — its meaning, denial, and the risks people take for it.

Performance: Voices of the Past

This series of museum theater programs explores the lives of people, both free and enslaved, who walked these streets in the 18th century.

Pictures of West Africa

Join Harold Caldwell, apprentice carpenter, as he shares a pictorial of the connected 18th-century African and Virginian history, while tying it to a modern understanding.

Presentation: American Indian Life

Through stories and questions, this series of programs will examine a specific aspect of American Indian history, society, and role in the American story.

Presentation: Audience with Author Alvin Hall

Join Alvin Hall, an award-winning broadcaster, on a journey through America’s haunted racial past using The Green Book as your guide.

Presentation: Excavation to Programming

Join a Nation Builder and a Colonial Williamsburg Archaeologist as they discuss important sites in Williamsburg from the 18th century to today.

Salute to the Presidents

Fifes, drums, and cannons salute the Nation's presidents on Market Square, featuring Washington, Jefferson, and Madison.

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.

The Art of Politics and Dining

Join Mrs. Washington as she discusses the art of dining and how influential a woman could be in a man’s world.

The Doctrine of Representation

Meet Hannah Corbin and her brother Richard Henry Lee as they explore the future of voting rights and the meaning of representation.

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.

Thomas Jefferson and John Hemings: A Collaboration

During this lecture explore how after his retirement, Jefferson returned to Monticello, where he relied on John Hemings, an enslaved woodworker, to build and decorate Monticello.

To Purchase a Likely Man

Join Colonel and Mrs. Washington as they discuss the intricacies and complexities of purchasing a pair of enslaved brothers.

Tour: Black Artists and Artisans

Tour the museum galleries, including the “I Made This” exhibition, to explore decorative arts and folk art made by Black American artists and artisans. Free reservation required.

Tour: Freedom's Paradox

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

Tour: Women in Trades

Join us for a walking tour discussing the often-surprising realities of women’s labor, skills, and rights in 18th-century Williamsburg and the Colonial Atlantic World.

Visit a Nation Builder- 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.

Visit a Nation Builder- James Madison

Step into the past with James Madison, Scholar Statesman.

Visit a Nation Builder- 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.

Visit a Nation Builder- 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.

Visit a Nation Builder- 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.

Visit a Nation Builder- 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.

Visit a Nation Builder- Thomas Jefferson

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

Visit a Nation Builder-Oconostota For Home ED

Step into the past with Oconostota, the Great Warrior of Chota. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges he faced.

Voices of Their Hands

Discuss the lives of enslaved tradespeople on this walking tour. Hear from our historic tradespeople discussing their experiences interpreting skilled laborers and their work.