Colonial Williamsburg Evening Programs Excite and Delight this Fall

Tales of ghosts, a real live witch, pirates, and punishment, what is this you ask? A haunted house? A ghost town? No, it is some of the evening programming being offered by Colonial Williamsburg this fall that will surely bring chills to your bones.  Cry Witch lets audience members participate in a re-creation of a dramatic trial and weigh the evidence to determine the guilt or innocence of "The Virginia Witch”, while Legends, Ghosts, Mysteries, and Myths walks visitors around the historic area and regales them with stories of ghosts who to this day are said to haunt rooms in Colonial Williamsburg.

The 1727 trial of John Vidal and Martha Farley has become one of the most notorious pirate trials that has ever occurred and was originally held in Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg has recreated it for audiences in and is recreated in To Go A'Pirating.  These are only a mere sampling of the evening programs that will both excite and delight you as this autumn at Colonial Williamsburg. For more information please visit www.history.org . I will be in touch shortly and can be reached with questions at 212.819.4802. Enclosed below are full descriptions and listings of evening programs.

Cheers,

Matthew Frappier

–        Tavern Ghost Walks. Hear local stories of ghost sightings and other strange occurrences seven days a week at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Each hour-long tour begins at Shields Tavern, and then visits other sites in the Historic Area such as the Capitol, King's Arms Tavern, the Prentis Store, the Peyton Randolph House or other historic buildings and taverns. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children.

–        “Cry Witch.” This program allows guests to participate in the re-created 1706 trial of Grace Sherwood, “the Virginia Witch.” Participants can question the witnesses, weigh the evidence and help decide whether the woman is guilty or innocent. “Cry Witch” can be seen Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and 9 p.m. at the Capitol or Courthouse. Tickets are $15. The subject matter may be inappropriate for young guests.

–        “Legends, Myths, Mysteries and Ghosts” walking tour. Ghost stories and other unexplained mysteries were retold just as often in the 18th century as today. The stories and locations vary by tour. “Legends, Myths, Mysteries and Ghosts” can be seen nightly at 7 and 8:30 p.m. The walking tour begins at the Greenhow Lumber House. Tickets are $12.

–        “Williamsburg’s Most Wanted” at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Fridays at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. Accused murderers Col. Chiswell, William Pittman and Sarah Peppers will discuss their criminal acts with the audience and present their defense. The audience has the opportunity to form their own opinions of whether they are innocent or guilty. The audience then finds out the true fate of the 18th-century figures.

–        “Crime and Punishment.” Guests will get to meet three people from the past who were involved in real 18th-century cases involving both crime and punishment. Guests will have the opportunity to compare 18th-century justice to that of today. “Crime and Punishment” can be seen Saturday evenings at 7, 7:15, 7:30, 7:45, 8:15, 8:30, 8:45 and 9 p.m. beginning at Tickets, Treasures and Books (Public Records Office). Tickets are $12. 

–        Lanthorn Tours. During this walking tour, explore the shops and workplaces of Williamsburg’s most accomplished tradespeople by candlelight. 7 and 8:30 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28.