In Creating Colonial Williamsburg, Anders Greenspan examines the restoration and re-creation of the structures and gardens of Virginia's colonial capital beginning in 1926. The restoration was undertaken by the Rockefeller family, whose aim was to promote a twentieth-century appreciation for eighteenth-century ideals. Ironically, those ideals, including democracy, individualism, and representative government, were often promoted at the expense of a more complete understanding of the town's true history. The meaning and purpose of Colonial Williamsburg has changed over time, along with America's changing social and political landscapes, making the study of this historic site a unique and meaningful entry point to understanding the shifting modern American character. In recent years, financial struggles and declining attendance forced a new interpretation of the town, extending the presentation into the period of the American Revolution, while adding new interpretive approaches such as street theater and a greater emphasis on technology. Over its eighty-year history, says Greenspan, Colonial Williamsburg has grown and matured, while still retaining its emphasis on the importance of eighteenth-century values and their application in the modern world.

Thousands of people each year experience life in eighteenth-century Virginia by visiting Colonial Williamsburg, one of America's premier historical restorations. That is not what the founders had in mind when they opened this museum in 1932. Their aim was to build a shrine to promote American values -- individualism, democracy, and representative government -- at a time when they felt these beliefs were being eroded. As Anders Greenspan demonstrates in this lucid analysis, Colonial Williamsburg's evolving presentation of history offers an excellent means of understanding many social and political changes in twentieth-century America. Greenspan begins with a detailed profile of pre-1926 Williamsburg and closely follows the continuing development of the restoration. As the century progressed, Colonial Williamsburg gently adjusted its staging of colonial history to address the varying concerns of the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War. But the combined forces of the Civil Rights movement, the women's movement, and the rising popularity of social history forced Colonial Williamsburg to incorporate African Americans, women, and the working class into its presentations at the risk of offending some of its strongest supporters. Greenspan brings his study up to the present by reviewing how financial constraints have caused Colonial Williamsburg to make controversial alliances with nearby entertainment theme parks. As its presentation of American history continues to evolve, Colonial Williamsburg remains a valuable source for understanding and interpreting American life.

An ethnographic exploration of the presentation of history at Colonial Williamsburg. It examines the packaging of American history, and the consumerism and the manufacturing of cultural beliefs.

"In this impressive ethnography of Williamsburg, Handler and Gable take us behind the scenes and show us the roles of professional historians, front-line interpreters, corporate officials, and service workers in shaping the portrait of eighteenth-century Virginia that is presented. I know of no other book that presents such a complete and complex portrait of the museum as a social, economic, and cultural institution."--Roy Rosenzweig, George Mason University

This up-to-date and comprehensive look at the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg illuminates the important role it has played in our understanding of 18th-century America.

Millions of visitors have appreciated Williamsburg not only for its authentic taste of life in colonial Virginia but also for the incredible design resource of its meticulously restored and appointed homes and gardens. Ever since the 1930s, Williamsburg fans have been able to decorate their homes with reproductions of furnishings, fabrics, and accessories, but until now there has never been a decorating book that shows how to put the look together. In chapters that highlight living rooms and gathering places; the bedchamber; dining rooms, kitchens, and pantries; and home and garden, Williamsburg demonstrates its ability to inspire contemporary lifestyles. Special sections on such topics as lighting, color, mantels, silver, and bed hangings focus on details; and photographs of rooms especially decorated for the book by decorating expert Tricia Foley, using Colonial Williamsburg reproductions, give practical ideas for mixing old, new, and reproductions in a harmonious scheme.Produced in conjunction with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the book is rich with the latest discoveries about 18th-century taste -- bold new colors, rest

"This book, a companion to 'Colonial Williamsburg: The Guide: The Official Companion to the Historic Area,' recounts Williamsburg's 'story'--the events and circumstances that led to the town's founding and its community life and political importance up to and through the Revolutionary War. It offers a bit of postwar history as well, including Williamsburg's experience of the Civil War and the town's eventual restoration-all 301 acres of it. The history of Williamsburg is critical to the American story of who we are and how our nation came to be"--

Master Iconic 18th Century Hair and Makeup Techniques Ever wondered how Marie Antoinette achieved her sky-high hairstyle or how women in the 1700s created their voluminous frizz hairdos? The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty answers all your Georgian beauty questions—and teaches you all you need to know to recreate the styles yourself. Learn how to whip up your own pomatum and hair powder and correctly use them to take your ’dos to the next level. From there, dive into the world of buckles, hair cushions and papillote papers with historically accurate hairstyles straight from the 1700s. And top all your hair masterpieces with millinery from the time period, from a French night cap to a silk bonnet to a simple, elegant chiffonet. With Lauren and Abby’s step-by-step instructions and insightful commentary, this must-have guide is sure to find a permanent place on the shelves of all 18th century beauty enthusiasts.

From 1607 to 1783, Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown played an important role in our nation's development by serving as the stage for key ideas and events that shaped American history. Here the first permanent English settlement was established, ideas of independence took root, and the American Revolution was won. As our nation celebrates its 400th anniversary, what better time to visit America's birthplace? This lively and lavishly illustrated guide will help you make the most of your visit. More than 250 color illustrations and maps feature the area's must-see historic sites and attractions as well as hotels, restaurants, recreation, and more.

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG Its Buildings an gardens. FOREWORD: THE VALUE of history lies in the perspective it gives us as we take up the problems of the present. Lawrence Koc. her and Howard Dearstyne, by making us see here the intimate daily family life of eighteenth-century Wil liamsburg and the society of which it was a part, help us even more to see ourselves and our own time in sharper focus. And insight, above everything else, is the purpose of Colonial Williamsburg one-time capital of the great and powerful Virginia colony and the only capi tal of our colonial period which, after more than a century of sleep, coidd be awakened and reconstructed in its original form. We hope that millions of Americans will find time and opportunity to visit Colonial Williamsburg in order that they may have the experience of stepping out of the present and losing themselves temporarily in the significant past. There is no better way for the modern American, man, woman, or child, to get a real emotional sense of the depth of his roots and the meaning of our nation's past. Those who read this book like those who come to Colonial Williamsburg are urged to consider it. only a foundation. The building of a free world can never be finished. We in our time must make our contribution. Colonial Wil liamsburg lives today to help all of us to feel strongly our heritage of liberty in order that we may build a better America and a better world in the twentieth century. Colonial Williamsburg reminds us that the foundation of modern America is spiritual a faith which began to lake shape in Williamsburg and to be ex pressed there by some of the greatest of our forefathers. Nowhere else in co lonial America was the democratic faith on which our nation has been built more eloquently expix\ ssed. I think we cannot: drink too deeply at this spring of our history. I think the authors in this book have helped you and me immeasurably to see the past so that we may understand and deal more effectively with the present. Office of the President the Colonial Williamsburg The bell of Brttton Church rang out in iy( i6 to announce the repeal of the Stamp Act. Ten years later, on May 15, 1776* it pealed again to pro claim Virginia's separation from England, six \ veeks before the independence of all the colonies was sounded by Philadelphia's Liberty Bell. Contents include: FOREWORD v I. THE VIRGINIA PLANTERS' CAPITAL i II. BUILDINGS AND BUILDERS. III. THE MANNER OE FURNISHINGS 25 IV. THE GARDENS OFWILLIAMSBERG, 35 V. THE RESTORATION OF AN AMERICAN TOWN 43 VI. A PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR OF WILLIAMSBERG. 51 VIII. CREDITS FOR ILLUSTRATIONS. IX. INDEX