January 2, 2007
CW's programming moves inside during winter 2007
While the winter weather can be frightful, attending Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area programs can be delightful in the warmth of one of the Foundation’s exhibition buildings. Highlights of the Revolutionary City program, an interactive program focused on select events that portray Colonial Americans’ crucial transition from subjects to citizens, move indoors from January through mid-March.
Royal Governor Lord Dunmore arrives at the Capitol unhappy with the House of Burgesses for their protesting the closing of Boston harbor by the British government. What will he do? How will the Burgesses react to his announcement? What does this mean for the people of Williamsburg? Find out during the program, Governor Dunmore Dissolves the Assembly, at 2:30-2:50 p.m. at the Capitol on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays Jan. 2-20 and Feb. 3-March 10 and 2-2:20 p.m. at the Raleigh Tavern on Jan. 23, 25, 27, 30 and Feb. 1.
When the patriots threatened retaliation against the governor, Peyton Randolph, Virginia’s most influential politician and president of the Continental Congress, negotiated a truce. A week later, as Randolph prepares to return to Philadelphia, devastating news from Lexington and Concord arrives in Williamsburg. The Gale from the North can be seen at 3-3:20 p.m. at the Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Capitol on Jan. 2-20 and Feb. 3-March 10 or 3-3:20 p.m. at the Courthouse on Jan. 23, 25, 27, 30 and Feb. 1.
During the program, The British Occupy Williamsburg: The Town is Taken! the American turncoat, British Gen. Benedict Arnold, seizes Williamsburg with British forces under his command. He announces the rules of occupation at 3-3:20 p.m. at the Capitol on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays Jan. 3-21 and Feb. 4-March 11 and at 3-3:20 p.m. at the Courthouse on Jan. 24, 26, 28, 31 and Feb. 2.
On July 25, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is read to the citizens of Williamsburg. The news arrives only a few weeks after Virginia’s representatives have adopted their own Declaration of Rights and a Constitution for the new state. A Declaration of Independence takes place at 2:30-2:50 at the Capitol on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays Jan. 3-21 and Feb. 4-March 11 or at 2-2:20 at the Courthouse on Jan. 24, 26, 28, 31 and Feb. 2.
Meet the people who labored, played and plotted during Politics and the Punch Bowl at 2, 2:30 and 3 Tuesdays through Sundays Jan. 2-Jan. 21 or at 2:30, 3 and 3:30 on Jan. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, Feb. 1 and 2 at the Raleigh Tavern or at 3, 3:30 and 4 p.m. at the Mary Stith Shop on Feb. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 27.
Eighteenth-century preacher Gowan Pamphlet offers his perspective on slavery, religion and liberty during The Spirit of Liberty 3 p.m. Jan. 15, 29, Feb. 19, 26 and March 5 at the Mary Stith Shop.
Meet Lydia Broadnax, freed cook of George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as she prepares dinner and discusses the revolution from a unique perspective in Recipe for Freedom. This program can be seen at 10:30 a.m. at the Wythe House Kitchen Jan. 22, Feb. 5, Feb. 19, Feb. 26 and March 5.
A Colonial Williamsburg admission ticket or Good Neighbor Pass or College of William and Mary faculty and student ID is required to attend these programs.
For more information or reservations, call toll-free 1-800-HISTORY or visit Colonial Williamsburg on the Internet at www.ColonialWilliamsburg.com.