LIVING HISTORY The re-enactment museum went the extra mile for the 250 celebrations
Every day, Colonial Williamsburg re-enacts 18th- century US history. On America’s 250th birthday, the storytelling town pulled out all the stops America 250: Live from Colonial Williamsburg
and the largest fireworks display in Virginia’s history, the celebration mixed entertainment with education. Hosted and narrated by Richard Thomas, it saw a number of notable speakers, including Chickahominy Tribe Chief Stephen R Adkins, VA250 national honorary chair Carly Fiorina and documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, who pre-recorded a special welcome message. Singers Judy Collins, Kelli O’Hara, Ryan Speedo Green and Michael Feinstein performed live on stage, while actors portrayed president Thomas Jefferson, first lady Martha Washington and enslaved labourer- turned-spy James Armistead Lafayette, delivering a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence (several other cities, like Boston, did the same for their own America 250 observances). What was most memorable about America Made in Virginia? Some would argue it was the fireworks over the Governor’s Palace; others might say it was the light show, which saw a fleet of 400 synchronised drones draw historic images across the night sky. Both were accompanied by live music, performed by the US Air Force Heritage of America Band and the Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, the Virginia Chorale and Ryan Speedo Green, respectively. The TV special aired nationally on PBS, streaming simultaneously on PBS.org and the PBS app, as part of the broader PBS America @ 250 initiative. At 10pm that same day, PBS re-ran the broadcast.
Words by Katie Kasperson Images courtesy of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
C olonial Williamsburg is my bread and butter; for four years, I studied at the College of William & Mary, which rests on the edge of the re-enactment village – and is technically the oldest collegiate institution in America (yes, even older than Harvard). I went to class with students wearing 18th-century garb; I picnicked with friends on the Governor’s Palace lawn; I visited Jamestown – the first settlement – on weekends. I was immersed in US history at all times, dodging tourists on DoG Street, trying to find parking on a campus that was never meant for cars and watching as schoolkids ran wild, barely avoiding horse excrement. That is why I can safely say: there is no other place in the country quite like it. Colonial Williamsburg is in a league of its own, in terms of its
commitment to history – making it a natural choice for the America 250 festivities. On 4 July at 8pm, Williamsburg hosted a two-hour televised event called ‘America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together’. Featuring live music, historical interpretations ALL LIT UP The fireworks above the Governor’s Palace were a highlight
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