It’s one of the oldest tales in our nation – Pocahontas saving the life of John Smith. But what happened next? Was there romance? And did the two wed? . See what Hollywood gets right and where it embellishes the truth in this Trend & Tradition article:

No sunscreen? No problem… if you had these mitts, that is! 🧤☀️. In the 18th century, women often turned to these elbow-length accessories to guard against sunburn and summer bugs (like biting black flies and mosquitoes). All while staying stylish in the heat!

Herd ye, herd ye! It’s #CowAppreciationDay 🐄. These heritage breeds are more than just part of the past… they help us protect genetic diversity and bring history to life every day!

From flintlocks and files to cherry molds and horse pistols, every piece has a purpose and a story. Step inside the gunsmith shop and learn more from Colonial Williamsburg gunsmiths Darrin McDonal and Mason Lee!. Watch the full video on YouTube:

What looked like broken teapot tops turned out to be something much more meaningful… . This discovery is part of Colonial Williamsburg’s ongoing efforts to better understand one of the earliest African American congregations in the U.S. Learn more:

America. Made in Virginia. 🇺🇸. As we celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, we welcome you to join us in 2026 in honoring the past, engaging the present, and inspiring the future. #VA250 #America250 #CW250 @jyfmuseums @jrarchaeology

Today, we celebrate the “Father” of the Virginia Declaration of Rights…. Often regarded as a 'forgotten founder', George Mason was an influential planter, statesman, and thinker who inspired the colonies to boycott British goods. #FathersDay #ForgottenFounder #GeorgeMason

#FridayThe13th is a good day to revisit one of early America’s oldest mysteries, don’t you think? 🔎 Before Jamestown, there was Roanoke. until all 116 colonists disappeared. Read about the latest discoveries in this Trend & Tradition article:

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#OTD 250 years ago, Virginia’s royal governor walked out of the Governor’s Palace and into the humid June night never to return. Meet some of the real people who experienced the Gunpowder Incident and watch the full video on our YouTube ➡️ #CW250

“The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.” - Martha Washington. Happy birthday to the FIRST First Lady of the United States! 🕯️🎉. Learn more about her at

Early Virginians knew the value of native plants. These plants endured harsh local weather and provided food, medicine, and materials essential to daily life in the 18th century. 🌿

From fleece to fabric! 🐑✂️ . Sheep sheering season has arrived, marking the beginning of a historic craft tradition. After the wool is carefully shorn and skirted, it’s sent to our historic weavers where they transform these tangled masses of wool into precise fabrics.

Inspired by a striped blanket from 1780–1820, our talented weavers recreated the pattern on a smaller scale—as a coaster, perfect for your favorite drink!. Try your hand at 18th-century-inspired weaving and follow this step-by-step from Trend & Tradition:

Before lawnmowers, there were scythes. Listen and learn as Farmer Ed Schultz, head of the historic farming trade at Colonial Williamsburg, cuts grass the 18th-century way. 🌾. Learn more about the centuries-old trade of Historic Farming:

Then go deeper and explore the rarely told stories of Black childhood in early America—beyond the legacy of Phillis Wheatley and into the lives of children whose names history has often overlooked:

In telling the story of the Williamsburg Bray School, we must also tell the story of the students. This is Mary Ashby’s story. Missed some episodes? Watch the Williamsburg Bray School series in its entirety on YouTube now:

Before he was the first president, George Washington led an army. But when Congress appointed him commander-in-chief of the new Continental army, many wondered what he would do with that power. Washington moved quickly to allay those fears. Read more:

Go behind the *seams* with the Textile team and Art Museums staff as they work together to refresh the exhibition ‘Stitched in Time’. 🧵. ‘Stitched In Time’ highlights how needlework served as both a practical skill and a creative outlet for women in the 18th and 19th centuries.

(5/5) Follow the Architectural Preservation Facebook Group for more updates on projects like the Powder Magazine: ⬅️.