John Ragosta: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle • July 6, 2024

Historian John Ragosta discussed Patrick Henry's final political campaign in 1799 and how his untimely death was a critical step in Thomas Jefferson’s being elected president. Ragosta’s book “For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle,” tells the story of the hyper-partisanship of the 1790s that almost destroyed the nation prior to the “Revolution of 1800.” Guests heard how Henry, the man who had led antifederalist opposition to the U.S. Constitution, came out of retirement to defend the constitution that he had opposed and in the process helped to define the role of a “loyal opposition.”

A Conversation between Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Rollison • June 20, 2024

As part of Civic Season, Bill Barker, world renowned for his depiction of Thomas Jefferson, and James Cameron, a historian who has brought Black entrepreneur John Rollison back to life, presented their 18th-century personas to discuss citizenship in the new nation. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Executive Director Christy Coleman moderated the discussion between these two gentlemen as they explored the complexities and understandings of who had citizenship rights in the early Republic.

Lauren Muney • April 6, 2024

Lauren Muney of "Silhouettes By Hand" is one of only 20 artists in the world working in the traditional trade of cutting silhouette portraits with only scissors, without drawing in advance or tracing shadows. Guests learned the history of this cheaper form of portraiture used before photography, the itinerant artists who created it, and some special experiments into the unusual history of this classic portrait form.

Deborah Wilkinson • January 13, 2024

Deborah Wilkinson, a citizen of Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe and owner of Adamstown Gourds & Such, presented a 45-minute talk on the Indigenous cultivation and use of gourds as practical objects and for artistic expression. Following the lecture, Wilkinson presented a hands-on workshop on the design and preparation of small gourds for painting and provided steps to complete the project at home.

Travis Henline • December 2, 2023

Lord Dunmore’s War was considered the last of the colonial wars. This presentation examined the causes and consequences of this conflict while placing it in the context of the 60-year war for independence fought by the Native peoples of the “Ohio country." Travis Henline has spent a career in public history and museums. He currently serves as the curator of Indigenous History and Culture for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.

From Mrs. Washington to Lady Washington • October 7, 2023

Visitors learned of the trials and tribulations that Mrs. Washington went through during her transition from private person to public figure and then on to the most public figure of the new United States. Martha Washington, portrayed by Lee Ann Rose, appeared in the Talking History Series at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

B.J. Pryor Portraying Benjamin Franklin • July 1, 2023

Visitors enjoyed a thought-provoking history performance exploring the life and wisdom of founding father Benjamin Franklin. B.J. Pryor was born in Maryland but, with the exception of a year abroad, has lived in Williamsburg, Virginia, since arriving at William & Mary as a new student in 1974. In 1980, he joined Colonial Williamsburg, where he worked for almost 40 years, giving talks and tours, and portraying several 18th century people, including Benjamin Franklin. He has been bringing Dr. Franklin to life since 2016, in schools, museums and anywhere else the good doctor's wisdom and knowledge are requested.

Prelude to Juneteenth • June 14, 2023

Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Endowed Professor of Virginia Black History and Culture at Norfolk State University, shared the legacy of Juneteenth and the story of Black regiments attached to Virginia’s Army of the James, 246 years after the end of the American Civil War. Some of these regiments were sent to Texas after the war to patrol the gulf region that included Galveston, and among their duties were keeping the peace after news of the Emancipation Proclamation was delivered to Galveston’s enslaved inhabitants. Interludes of song by Sylvia Tabb Lee & the Rejoicing Singers and dramatic readings from primary sources complemented the evening.

Beau Robbins Portraying John Paul Jones • May 6, 2023

First-person interpreter Beau Robbins portrayed America's first naval hero, John Paul Jones. While the American Revolution focused highly on land battles, Robbins explored the story of John Paul and how he shaped America’s early Navy and played a significant maritime role in winning American independence. Robbins is a historical interpreter, speaker and consultant bringing history to life for historical sites, museums, art and film.

Andrew Buckley • April 13, 2023

Two-time Emmy nominated filmmaker Andrew Buckley shared his story of discovery retracing the remarkable American journeys of his ancestor Stephen Hopkins. In 1609, Hopkins was bound for Virginia aboard the Sea Venture, which shipwrecked in Bermuda. He later lived at Jamestown until 1614, returned to England, and six years later, brought his family back to America aboard the Mayflower. Buckley shared excerpts from his documentary film “Stephano” which retraces Hopkins’ journeys to America.

Darci Tucker - "Revolutionary Women" • March 4, 2023

Revolutionary Women™ is the acclaimed one-woman show by nationally known storyteller and playwright Darci Tucker. At an event held at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Tucker portrayed three different people as she explored issues and events that led to the American Revolution and highlighted women's contributions to the war effort, and the importance of active citizenship.

Meet John Rollison and his Descendant • February 4, 2023

Actor James Cameron portrayed 18th-century York County, Virginia resident John Rollison, a property-owning free man of color and his experiences during the American Revolution. Cameron broke character to introduce Rollison's 21st-century descendant Helen Casey-Rutland. Together they explored what it is like to come face-to-face with an ancestor through living-history character portrayal.

One Exhibit, Two Museums • December 3, 2022

The Reign & Rebellion team of curators, historians and exhibition planners discussed the challenges and considerations behind mounting the simultaneous exhibitions at two museums spanning four centuries of history.

Hamilton: The Man vs. The Musical • August 6, 2022

Marti Londal, chapter president of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society, examines some myths from the musical and goes beyond the lyrics to reveal more about the 10-dollar Founding Father in this one-hour presentation at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Loyalist Women Writers of the American Revolution • March 24, 2022

Published scholar Dr. Kacy Dowd Tillman examines Loyalist women writers of the American Revolution.

Denise Lowe Walters • October 14, 2021

Lecture and quilting demonstration by Nottoway artist Denise Lowe Walters, whose work was featured in the FOCUSED: A Century of Virginia Indian Resilience special exhibition at Jamestown Settlement.

The Indispensables: Marblehead’s Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington Across the Delaware • May 20, 2021

Patrick K. O’Donnell, bestselling, critically-acclaimed military historian and expert on elite units, delivers the first presentation of his new book, “The Indispensables: Marblehead’s Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington Across the Delaware” at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

No More Stolen Sisters • May 13, 2021

Tracy Y. Roberts of the Occoneechee of Virginia and contemporary photographer whose work was featured in the FOCUSED special exhibition at Jamestown Settlement, presents “No More Stolen Sisters” to bring awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and children through compelling photography and discussion.

Lafayette, Napoleon and the French Revolution • April 8, 2021

Mark Schneider, Williamsburg-based veteran historical interpreter, explores “Lafayette, Napoleon and the French Revolution” at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

The Continuing Role of Virginia Indian Women in Leadership • March 11, 2021

First in the “Talking History” lecture series, Diana Gates (Nottoway), Managing Senior Tribal Specialist with the National Center on Tribal Early Childhood Development, examines “The Continuing Role of Virginia Indian Women in Leadership” at Jamestown Settlement.