The late 1770s saw Williamsburg reach a critical point in the American Revolutionary War, with the capital moving to Richmond in 1779. As the tides shifted in Virginia, the American colonies as a whole experienced an entirely new type of keyboard: the piano. Unlike most of its ancestors, the piano was capable of producing dynamics through touch. The novel keyboard was quickly acquired by Williamsburg’s citizens like Robert Carter, Lord Dunmore, and Ann Barraud. Join Kyle Collins from Governor’s Musick as he explores the waning influence of the Virginian capital against the waxing popularity of the revolutionary square piano.
Other Experiences
-
Evening Program: To Hang a Pirate
Join with us in a trial of a member of the crew of Blackbeard the pirate that actually occurred in Williamsburg in 1719. Hear the evidence and make a judgment!
Open to the Public
Event Ticket
-
Presentation: Finding Jane Vobe
A sneak peek behind the scenes into the research behind Colonial Williamsburg's newest Nation Builder Jane Vobe.
Art Museums Admission
-
Presentation: To Decorate a Christmas Tree
Discover the history of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Christmas Tree with Christina Westenberger, co-author of The Art-Full Tree.
Art Museums Admission