Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Williamsburg: the Story of a Patriot tells the story of Virginia's role in American Independence (up to the point of voting to propose independence at the Second Continental Congress), from the point of view of John Fry (played by a young Jack Lord), a fictional Virginia planter elected to the House of Burgesses.

The gun was a vital part of life in colonial Williamsburg, and this docudrama demonstrates the expertise that went into the making of each weapon. The master gunsmith explains the principal parts of an early American rifle and demonstrates the gun's complex manufacturing process. The guns of the period were crude military weapons, but with revolution stirring, the colonists depended on their weapons to send a message to the British Crown.

This documentary which opens with a ten-minute period drama about the importance of Williamsburg in 1774, explains the mission of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin in the 1920s to restore Williamsburg to a colonial American icon. Through the painstaking research of curator, historians, and architects, the town's restoration plan is mapped out. Construction tradesmen from the twentieth century transform rundown exteriors into period edifices. Interiors are modified and restored to livable, sometimes elegant, period condition. This vast undertaking leads to mid-century historical interpretation about the importance of the people and ideas of Williamsburg that forged a new nation.

A vision shared by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin enabling the restoration of the eighteenth-century capital of Williamsburg, Virginia is chronicled through archival photos and film accompanied by oral histories.

Describes the music of the Virginia Colony and its capital, Williamsburg, in 1768, with examples to show the scope and variety of the music. Filmed against the restoration of 18th century Williamsburg, showing a day in the life of its inhabitants.

The colonial silversmith produced items both functional and beautiful. In this 1971 docudrama, silver scraps are transformed into a magnificent new coffeepot under the skilled hands of the master silversmith. You'll witness the art and science of silversmithing at every stage from the adaptation of English designs and the pouring of molds to the forging, raising, and plashing that give the metal its shape and shine.

Even if you can't be in Williamsburg for Christmas, you can share in its holiday spirit and enjoy some of its delights at home. Let Libby Hodges Oliver and Susan Hight Rountree show you the simple techniques for making five festive decorations in the Williamsburg way, from natural materials with elegance and style. Step by Step, they demonstrate how to shape flowers, fresh fruits, greens, berries, dried pods and cones into traditional and contemporary holiday pieces. They encourage you to experiment, to embellish their designs with your imagination, and to give your Christmas a personal gift of grace and beauty that evokes the best of Williamsburg.

Presents a dramatization of the extended field trip made by Mark Catesby in colonial Virginia and the ultimate publication of his two-volume illustrated natural history of the birds, animals, plants, reptiles and fish he observed and sketched in the new world.

Documents the archaeological dig for the lost 1618 settlement of Wolstenholme on the James River in Virginia.

This program covers the history and recent authentic reconstruction of James Anderson's blacksmith shop from 18th century Williamsburg, Virginia, showing the construction methods and materials of the 18th century used in constructing the blacksmith shop.

Explores the role of the cabinetmaker in colonial America, including the tools and technology used to carve table legs, wooden hinges, and more.

Share in the joyful sights and sounds of Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg. The extensive preparations, elaborate decorations, festive foods and music of the holiday are presented ending with the spectacular fireworks of Williamsburg's Grand Illumination.

This exciting two disc collection includes a CD with rare classical works for glass armonica by Saint-Saëns, Mozart, and Beethoven. The DVD features interviews, the animated film The Angelic Organ, building glass armonicas, The Aquarium music video, and much more...

The Thoughts of Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry in Colonial Williamsburg

Ms. Schumann embodies 4 women from late colonial Virginia, including a slave woman and a pregnant woman alone on the frontier who faces childbirth alone.

Jefferson & Adams : a stage play, written by Howard Ginsberg and based on his original play, is the moving and powerful dramatization of the remarkable friendship between two presidents of the United States - with the forthright Mrs. Adams always playing a major role.

Explains the role of the blacksmith in colonial America, and includes a demonstration of the tools and skills used to turn metal into farm implements, axes, and more.

Drummers Call: America's Fife and Drum Tradition is a documentary resonating the rich history of military field music. Learn about the honored place of fifing and drumming in the U.S. Army today and discover why corps from around the country descend upon Deep River, Connecticut each year.

Peter Littlefield, an instructor in natural philosophy, comes to Williamsburg, Va. in 1775 to give a series of lectures on astronomy, electricity and pneumatics.