In late 1718, a Royal Navy expedition dispatched from Virginia killed the pirate Blackbeard off the coast of North Carolina. 15 members of his crew were captured and brought to the Public Gaol in Williamsburg. They were tried for piracy at the Capitol by Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood in early 1719. Join in this recreation of the actual trial of Israel Hands, a member of Blackbeard's crew. Hear the evidence and make a judgment! How would you sentence a pirate?
Due to the subject matter, this program is not recommended for young children. Parking near the Historic Area is recommended. If you plan to park at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, please check the bus schedule.
Other Experiences
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Conversation: Meet a Nation Builder
Find a Nation Builder, a significant figure of 18th-century Williamsburg, around Palace Green for some informal conversation.
Open to the Public
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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.
Art Museums Admission
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Performance: Visit with George Mason
Step into the past with George Mason, father of American rights. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges he faced.
CW Admission