Audio

Interviews and dialogs

• The Declaration of Independence

  Hear the words that were catalyst to the Revolution, read by Bill Barker, Colonial Williamsburg's Thomas Jefferson.

  1. Listen

• Patrick Henry's speech: "Give me liberty or give me death"

  Richard Schuman interprets the character of Patrick Henry for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He re-creates Patrick Henry's powerful speech.

  1. Listen to full speech
  2. Listen to closing remarks leading to 'Give me liberty or give me death.'

• Coins and treasury notes in colonial America

  From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

  1. Listen

• Wages for tradespeople in the 1700s

  From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

  1. Listen

• Evidence of household budgets

  From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

  1. Listen

• Credit extended to colonial customers

  From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

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• African-Americans and money in the 18th century

  From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

  1. Listen

• Children and money in the 18th century

  From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

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• Studying history

  From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

  1. Listen

• Thoughts on War

  A collection of thoughts from colonial interpreters on war. Visit this feature.

  1. Listen to James Waddell - Presbyterian Minister
  2. Listen to Betty Randolph - Wife of Patriot
  3. Listen to Alexander Purdie - Printer
  4. Listen to Peachy Purdie - Widow of Printer
  5. Listen to John Randolph - British Loyalist
  6. Listen to Peter Southall - Runaway Slave
  7. Listen to Clay Smith - Gunsmith
  8. Listen to Robert Evans - Free Black
  9. Listen to Willie Parker - Master Printer
  10. Listen to Ed Wright - Cabinetmaker
  11. Listen to Anne Christian - Sister of Patrick Henry
  12. Listen to Patrick Henry - American Leader
  13. Listen to Thomas Jefferson - American Leader
  14. Listen to Chris Wright - Wheelwright

• 4th of July Concert

  Lively dance tunes and spirited medleys are heard on the "The Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg 4th of July Concert." Performed live on Market Square July 4, 2005, the music also includes a salute to each of the 13 original colonies and concludes with "The Star Spangled Banner" and the sound of fireworks.

  1. Listen to a clip

• A Grand Entertainment

  Since the first organized Christmas celebration drew visitors to Colonial Williamsburg in 1936, nothing quite matches the beauty, imagination, excitement, pageantry, sights, smells, sounds, and grandeur of the Christmas season in Colonial Williamsburg.

  1. Listen to a clip

• A Delightful Recreation

  Collection of some of Thomas Jefferson's favorite musical pieces recorded on period musical instruments in the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg.

  1. Listen to a clip

• A Numerous and Brilliant Assembly: A Colonial Williamsburg Musical Sampler

  Selected performances from nine of Colonial Williamsburg's recordings, including fife and drum marches, chamber music, slave chants, and tavern songs.

  1. Listen to a clip

• Echoes of Revolution

  Another fine collection of military and marching music performed by the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg.

  1. Listen to a clip

• In Freedom We're Born: Songs from the American Revolution

  New lyrics set to familiar (or some not so familiar) English melodies, recorded using 18th-century instrumentation to recreate the ambience of a small tavern or public meeting place.

  1. Listen to a clip

• Instrumental Music from the Colonial Williamsburg Collection

  On this recording of period music, the Cross Violin, Kirckman Harpsichord, Keene Spinet, Broadwood Pianoforte and three flutes are played just as they were in colonial times.

  1. Listen to a clip

• Keys of the Palace

  Colonial Williamsburg's Michael Monaco performs Peter Pelham's repertoire of 18th century music on the period keyboard instruments of the Governor's Palace.

  1. Listen to a clip

• Marching Out of Time

  Exhilarating fife and drum music that marked the routine of military troops during the 18th century and sent the patriots marching into battle.

  1. Listen to a clip

• Nottingham Ale --Tavern Music from Colonial Williamsburg

  Recorded in an authentic tavern environment similar to what might have been experienced in 18th-century Williamsburg.

  1. Listen to a clip

• Songs for a Williamsburg Christmas

  Carols, motets, hymns, songs, and madrigals reflect the enthusiastic joy and high spirits of Yuletide celebrations in Williamsburg.

  1. Listen to a clip

• The World Turned Upside Down

  The Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg carry forward the tradition of military music heard on the battlefields of Yorktown.

  1. Listen to a clip

• African-Americans and money in the 18th century

  From the Summer 2002 Journal: "Making "Cents" of Colonial Money"

  1. Listen

• A Numerous and Brilliant Assembly: A Colonial Williamsburg Musical Sampler

  Selected performances from nine of Colonial Williamsburg's recordings, including fife and drum marches, chamber music, slave chants, and tavern songs.

  1. Listen

• Diamond Joe

  1. Listen

• Hoe, Emma, Hoe

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• African American Music

  from the Winter 2003-2003 Journal article Juba and Djembe: Music Helps Interpret Slavery

  1. Listen to Ogundey
  2. Listen to Oh Dey Seo
  3. Listen to Go Down Moses

• A collection of thoughts from colonial interpreters on war. Visit this feature.

  1. Listen to James Waddell - Presbyterian Minister
  2. Listen to Betty Randolph - Wife of Patriot
  3. Listen to Alexander Purdie - Printer
  4. Listen to Peachy Purdie - Widow of Printer
  5. Listen to John Randolph - British Loyalist
  6. Listen to Peter Southall - Runaway Slave
  7. Listen to Clay Smith - Gunsmith
  8. Listen to Robert Evans - Free Black
  9. Listen to Willie Parker - Master Printer
  10. Listen to Ed Wright - Cabinetmaker
  11. Listen to Anne Christian - Sister of Patrick Henry
  12. Listen to Patrick Henry - American Leader
  13. Listen to Thomas Jefferson - American Leader
  14. Listen to Chris Wright - Wheelwright