Books & Media

Physick Medicine in Williamsburg

The professional practice of medicine and the methods used to treat patients in colonial Williamsburg between 1740 and 1775 are thoroughly explained. Topics include medical theory, education, treatments, surgery, and brief biographical sketches of...

The Williamsburg Art of Cookery

In 1938, Helen Bullock compiled an amazing collection of favorite "receipts" or recipes known to have been used in Virginia households in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Williamsburg Art of Cookery allows modern cooks to offer the same time-tested fare...

Four Centuries of Quilts: The Colonial Williamsburg Collection

Grand in scope and gorgeous to look at, Four Centuries of Quilts is one of the most important references on quilts and quilting available. Quilts are among the most utilitarian of art objects, yet the best among them possess a formal beauty that rivals...

America's Forgotten Colonial History

From the publisher: "This is what we all learned in school: Pilgrims on the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620. They had a rough start, but ultimately made a go of it, made friends with the Indians, and celebrated with a big Thanksgiving dinner...

Amy, Ben and Catalpa the Cat

Great pictures and lots of action! In this full-color alphabet story in verse, Amy, Ben and Catalpa take children on a fun-filled day in 18th-century Williamsburg. No sooner does a fifer pass Amy and Ben's window than they are off to the fair! During...

The Leatherworker in Eighteenth-Century Williamsburg

Illustrated in the style of the period, each softbound booklet in this series describes a trade of eighteenth-century Williamsburg and the lives and times of the artisans who practiced it. Features An Account of the Nature of Leather, & the Trades...

Vintage Handle Wax Seal Kits

These Vintage Handle Wax Seal Kits have everything you need to create beautiful wax seals on your letters! The flexible sealing wax is made to withstand the modern mailing system. Add a touch of historical charm and your own personality with vintage...

The American Flag: A Handbook of History & Etiquette

A perfect patriotic gift, this handsome guide to the American flag is a concise collection of the history and etiquette of the U.S. flag. The book, bound in hardcover in a distinctive blue leatherette with gold stamping, includes details of the laws...

Nancy's Story: 1765

The Young Americans Book Series by award-winning author Joan Lowery NixonVirginians are protesting the Stamp Act and Nancy Geddy is afraid the uncertain times will harm her father's business. And if that worry is not enough, Nancy's stepmother is making...

Why The Turkey Didn't Fly

In the Colonial Williamsburg book, Why The Turkey Didn't Fly, the answers to the following questions are revealed: Why did the eagle become our national symbol, even though Franklin preferred the turkey? How did Gilbert Stuart's portrait of Washington...

Melody Harp

This finely crafted wood zither, or melody harp, is one of the easiest instruments a child can play. Simply slide one of 12 song sheets under the strings and follow the "dots" with the pick. A great way to start a child onto a lifetime of music. 14 1/2"...

Flexible Sealing Wax Tri-Pack - Gold, Silver, Red

This Flexible Sealing Wax Tri-Pack makes the perfect companion to our brass letter seals! Made to withstand the modern postal system, this mailable sealing wax can be used on greeting cards and invitations for added historical charm, or on...

Flexible Sealing Wax Tri-Pack - Navy, Burgundy, Forest Green

This Flexible Sealing Wax Tri-Pack makes the perfect companion to our brass letter seals! Made to withstand the modern postal system, this mailable sealing wax can be used on greeting cards and invitations for added historical charm, or on...

Maria's Story: 1773

Maria's Story: 1773 is part of The Young Americans Book Series by award-winning author Joan Lowery Nixon. When Maria Rind's father dies, her mother is forced to continue his work writing and publishing the Virginia Gazette newspaper. That leaves Maria...

Striped Red Earthenware Inkwell

Add historic charm to your desk with this Striped Red Earthenware Inkwell. This reproduction inkwell would have been a common site to inhabitants of Williamsburg in the 18th century. Made of more common materials, such as earthenware, or finely crafted...

Powdered Ink

Pen a note the 18th century way with this Powdered Ink. When mixed with water, this powder produces a rich colored ink for use with quills and other dip pens. Instructions and historical information are provided on the envelopes. A fun way to send a...

The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Dressmaking

Whether you wish you could time travel to the court of Versailles, the Highlands of Scotland, or Colonial Williamsburg in the 18th-century, this comprehensive guide will walk you through how to make and wear your 18th century dream gown. Lauren Stowell...

Alexander Hamilton's Guide to Life

Two centuries after his death, Alexander Hamilton is shining once more under the world's spotlight, and we need him now more than ever with this Alexander Hamilton's Guide to Life book. Hamilton was a self-starter. Scrappy. Orphaned as a child, he came...

Entertaining Ideas from Williamsburg

Virginia, of course, is famous for its hospitality. Drawing on that tradition, here's a treasure trove of ideas for celebrating special occasions throughout the year. From a winter anniversary to a spring wedding, a Fourth of July picnic to a children's...

The Colonial Naturalist DVD

Part 3 of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Archive Series: Colonial Life through a Lens. Filmed in 1965, this docudrama highlights Mark Catesby's first visit to the colonies, where the self-trained naturalist spent time observing his natural...

The Music Of Williamsburg DVD

Part 2 of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Archive Series: Colonial Life through a Lens. Filmed in 1960, this docudrama explores how music in 18th-century Williamsburg was a ritual of everyday life—the accompaniment to everything from...

Williamsburg's Joseph Prentis: His Monthly Kalender & Garden Book

In the eighteenth century as today, Williamsburg was known for its fine gardens. Among the town's most enthusiastic gardeners was Joseph Prentis, an attorney who kept a personal garden book and calendar. This volume includes the full text of Prentis'...

Flowers and Herbs of Early America

Rediscover our American botanical heritage with this chronicle of the history and cultivation of 56 species of colonial flowers and herbs. Researched and written by master gardener Lawrence Griffith, curator of plants for The Colonial Williamsburg...

Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence

The American Revolution was a home-front war that brought scarcity, bloodshed, and danger into the life of every American, and Carol Berkin shows us that women played a vital role throughout the struggle. Berkin takes us into the ordinary moments of...

The School of Manners

"At Church, at Home, at Table, in Company, in Discourse, at School, abroad, and amoung Boys. With some other short and mixt Precepts. By the Author of the English Exercises." This replica of the fourth edition, as printed in London in 1701, gives all the...

An Army Doctor’s American Revolutionary War Journal, 1775-1783

At the age of 21, James Thacher (1754–1844) joined the newly formed American army as a surgeon's mate, eventually advancing to the role of surgeon for the Massachusetts 16th Regiment. In 1823, he published his Journal, reporting both wartime events...

Historic Trades

With more than 90 color photos, this charming hardcover book celebrates Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Trades in vivid detail. Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area is home to the largest, most diverse museum-operated trades program in the world. Here...

I Am Murdered

George Wythe was Thomas Jefferson's mentor and friend, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, chief justice of the Virginia Supreme Court - and a victim of lethal poisoning. His murder and the trial of his nephew for the killing caused a sensation...

The Art and Soul of African American Interpretation

The Art and Soul of African American Interpretation is the first book in which African American interpreters themselves reflect on their profession. Six experienced interpreters discuss how they research historical figures and create characters, often...

Founding Mothers

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Cokie Roberts comes New York Times bestseller Founding Mothers, an intimate and illuminating look at the fervently patriotic and passionate women whose tireless pursuits on behalf of their families–and...

Colonial Williamsburg Decorates for Christmas

The beauty of a Williamsburg Christmas can be yours every year with this how-to book. Directions for making 42 gorgeous decorations, including 249 step-by-step drawings and 35 color illustrations, will help you create the perfect holiday atmosphere in...

The Duel: The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr

In The Duel: The Parallel Lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, you will learn more about the men who inspired Hamilton: The Musical in this fascinating look at the historical friends turned revolutionary rivals! In curiously parallel lives,...

Silversmith Of Williamsburg DVD

Part 6 of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Archive Series: The Trades of Colonial Williamsburg The colonial silversmith produced items both functional and beautiful. In this 1971 docudrama, silver scraps are transformed into a magnificent new...

Somerset Rug Mouse Pad

In celebration of the best in classic design, toss this mouse pad on your desk to offer a little color and a lot of protection. The design is straight from an 18th-century crewelwork coverlet in Colonial Williamsburg's collections featuring the scrolling...

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum Booklet

Revolution & Evolution: Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum is a catalog of the 2017 Winter Antiques Show loan exhibit which is also an introduction to the extraordinary treasures of the Abby Aldrich Folk Art Museum and to the rich variety of...

The American Duchess Guide to 18th Century Beauty

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...

The Rockefeller Family And Colonial Williamsburg DVD

Part 10 of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Archive Series: Early Stories of the Restoration This is a story of remarkable generosity and considerable personal participation, chronicled in 1992 through archival photos and film, a narrative drawn...

Travel 4-Player Shut the Box Game

A traditional game of counting, addition, and probability, Shut-the-Box dates as far back as the 12th century when this game was enjoyed by Norman fishermen after a long day at sea. Roll the dice and lay down any numerical combination of tiles that match...

A Taste of Virginia

A Taste of Virginia: Through the Garden Gate booklet is the perfect gift for anyone who loves Virginia and cooking. Recipes include Garden Week strawberry shortcake, the rich summertime flavor of Chesapeake Bay crab soufflé, Molly's Brunswick...

Colonial Williamsburg ABC Picture Book

This Colonial Williamsburg ABC picture book uses the alphabet to introduce children to eighteenth-century Williamsburg. From A to Z, each of the illustrations is based on an activity or an object associated with colonial life that can be seen in Colonial...

Down On The Farm: A Sticker Adventure With Prince

Down on the Farm follows the adventures of Prince, a dog who explores the countryside and along the way meets various friends who, like Prince himself, are based on works of art at the museum. Rooster weather vanes roost on walls, toy sheep graze, and...

Rivers and Roads: Transportation in Early America

In an era when no corner of the globe has been left unexplored, and people commute hundreds of miles every day in cars, trains and buses, it's easy to lose track of how different life would be without these modes of transportation. Travel back to a time...

Exploring Colonial Williamsburg from A to Z

Explore the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg with this unique seek-and-find alphabet book offering beautiful photographs with hidden animals on every page. Discover everything from sheep pastures and underground ice houses to walled gardens and winding...

Fortnum & Mason: Time for Tea

Fortnum & Mason has nearly as much experience of selling tea as Britain has of drinking it – some three centuries’ worth, in fact, since the early eighteenth century. Time for Tea by Tom Parker Bowles is a fun and deeply...