Books & Media

Family, Slavery, and Love in the Early American Republic

One of the finest historians of her generation, Jan Ellen Lewis (1949-2018) transformed our understanding of the early U.S. Republic. Her groundbreaking essays defined the emerging fields of gender and emotions history and reframed traditional...

Fatal Revolutions: Natural History, West Indian Slavery, and the Routes of American Literature

Drawing on letters, illustrations, engravings, and neglected manuscripts, Christopher Iannini connects two dramatic transformations in the eighteenth-century Atlantic world--the emergence and growth of the Caribbean plantation system and the rise of...

The Common Cause: Creating Race and Nation in the American Revolution

When the Revolutionary War began, the odds of a united, continental effort to resist the British seemed nearly impossible. Few on either side of the Atlantic expected thirteen colonies to stick together in a war against their cultural cousins. In this...

Foul Means: The Formation of a Slave Society in Virginia, 1660-1740

Challenging the generally accepted belief that the introduction of racial slavery to America was an unplanned consequence of a scarce labor market, Anthony Parent, Jr., contends that during a brief period spanning the late seventeenth and early...

Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves, and the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia

In this provocative reinterpretation of one of the best-known events in American history, Woody Holton shows that when Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and other elite Virginians joined their peers from other colonies in declaring independence from...

Race, Removal, and the Right to Remain: Migration and the Making of the United States

Who had the right to live within the newly united states of America? In the country's founding decades, federal and state politicians debated which categories of people could remain and which should be subject to removal. The result was a white...

Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the American Social Order, 1730-1840

In the first comprehensive history of the fraternity known to outsiders primarily for its secrecy and rituals, Steven Bullock traces Freemasonry through its first century in America. He follows the order from its origins in Britain and its introduction...

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...

They Were Her Property

Bridging women's history, the history of the South, and African American history, They Were Her Property makes a bold argument about the role of white women in American slavery. Historian Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers draws on a variety of sources to show...

Founding Feuds by Paul Aron

Think partisanship has never been so bad? Think again. Founding Feuds by Paul Aron shows the founders of the United States of America not only debating but also smearing, screaming, spitting, and occasionally shooting at each other—their...

Colonial Williamsburg Antique Floral Textile Bookmark

Save your reading spot with the Colonial Williamsburg Antique Floral Textile Bookmark. Inspired by a piece in our collections, this metal bookmark features an image of an antique block print textile from India. This lovely bookmark is accented by...

Colonial Williamsburg Fry-Jefferson Map Bookmark

Save your reading spot with the Colonial Williamsburg Fry-Jefferson Map Bookmark. This metal bookmark features a print of the Fry-Jefferson Map with fine detailing around the edges. Pair with a book for the perfect gift for the bookworm in your...

Black Patriots and Loyalists: Fighting for Emancipation in the War for Independence

We commonly think of the American Revolution as simply the war for independence from British colonial rule. But, of course, that independence actually applied to only a portion of the American population—African Americans would still be bound in...

First and Always: A New Portrait of George Washington

George Washington may be the most famous American who ever lived, and certainly is one of the most admired. While surrounded by myths, it is no myth that the man who led Americans’ fight for independence and whose two terms in office largely...

Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington

In Realistic Visionary, renowned George Washington scholar Peter Henriques seeks to humanize the first president without diminishing him. Henriques’s Washington makes mistakes, is sensitive to criticism, and is slow to accept blame, but he is also...

Hero of Two Worlds

From the bestselling author of The Storm Before the Storm and host of the Revolutions podcast comes the thrilling story of the Marquis de Lafayette’s lifelong quest to defend the principles of liberty and equality. "Few in history can match the...

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...

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...

Aged Parchment Notecard Set

This set of elegant Aged Parchment Notecards is ideal for writing with ink or practicing calligraphy. Pair with our other from Freund-Mayer writing accessories in our shop for a thoughtful and fun gift. Features Set of 8 folded note cards with 8...

Wood and Bronze Pen Stand

Display your quill pen in style with this small Wood and Bronze Pen Stand. This holder looks great on your desk at home or take it to your next re-enactment inside your traveling desk for a period-appropriate accessory. Features Can hold any type of...

Brown Leather Journal 5" x 7"

This handsome Brown Leather Journal is hand-crafted in Italy. The journal features a wrap-around leather strap, a refillable lined journal, and an extra pocket to stash papers, letters, or other documents. We think it makes the perfect travel journal to...

Flexible Sealing Wax Tri-Pack - Metallic Gold, Jade, Purple

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...

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...

Vintage Embossed Metal and Wood Ink Blotter

A lovely accessory for your desk, this Vintage Embossed Metal and Wood Ink Blotter is a must-have for letter writing with ink. The base is made of wood and the silver-tone embossed decorative exterior features a beaded edge and ornamental motifs. We...

Hand Stitched Brown Leather Journal

A marvel of craftsmanship and quality, this Hand-Stitched Leather Journal is made in Italy by artisans practicing centuries old techniques. The soft brown leather cover features straps to protect the interior rag paper pages which are stitched by hand...

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...

Insiders' Guide: Williamsburg and Virginia's Historic Triangle

Experience America's past and present-day glories in beautiful, historic Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, Virginia! Written by local Susan Corbett, Insiders' Guide: Williamsburg and Virginia's Historic Triangle includes: Comprehensive...

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...

Craft: An American History

At the center of the United States' economic and social development, according to conventional wisdom, are industry and technology—while craftspeople and handmade objects are relegated to a bygone past. Renowned historian Glenn Adamson turns that...

A History of Tea

As the world's most popular beverage, tea has fascinated us, awakened us, motivated us, and calmed us for well over two thousand years. A History of Tea tells the compelling story of the rise of tea in Asia and its eventual spread to the West and beyond...

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...

Red Earthenware Inkwell

Add historic charm to your desk with this 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 in...

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 Spices and Herbs

Colonial Herbs and Spices by well-known food writer Patricia B. Mitchell is full of fascinating information, quotations, and descriptions about the typical usages of 23 of colonial America's most common spices and herbs. It offers brief descriptions of...

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...

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...

Blue Pineapple Note Cards

What better way to say "thank you" than with the traditional symbol of hospitality? Each note card features an illustration of a ripe, plump pineapple in blue and white surrounded by swirling vines. The inside is blank so you can craft your own unique...

Witchcraft in Colonial Virginia

Witchcraft in Colonial Virginia by Carson Hudson is a fascinating book about eighteenth-century witchcraft beliefs and trials in Virginia based on actual facts in historical records and not Hollywood myths and modern legends. While the witchcraft mania...

The U.S. Constitution and Other Writings

The U.S. Constitution and Other Writings is part of the leather-bound classics series and is a collection of the crucial documents, speeches, and other writings that shaped the United States. In addition to the Constitution, readers can review the...

Hidden History of Civil War Williamsburg

Each year, thousands of visitors from around the country visit the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's re-created 18th-century capital of Virginia to learn about the past and walk where the Founding Fathers walked. The fact that the same ground was later...

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...

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'...

Four Documents of Freedom

Choose this unique set for the American history buff in your life, young or old. This impressive set of four antiqued historical documents includes the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and Abraham...

Duel in the Wilderness

Major George Washington stared grimly at the French commander facing him. The young Virginian had traveled hundreds of miles into the frontier to deliver a message from the King of England. After a dangerous journey, Washington had arrived at his...

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...

Indienne Rug Mouse Pad

Spread a little tradition wherever you need to use your computer mouse ... and protect your table. With a detailed medallion and floral motif, this mouse pad will add a touch of rich elegance to your office or living room. Images of antique carpets in...

The Journal of Major George Washington

In 1753, Virginia Governor Dinwiddie appointed 21-year-old Major George Washington to a delicate mission - deliver a letter to the local French commander demanding that he and his forces leave British Territory and bargain for support with the local...

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...