INSIDE JYF SPRING 2023

INSIDE JYF SPRING 2023

from the

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A

s spring emerges at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, we look forward to new opportunities to refresh, reflect and renew the ways we present our collective work of American history.

In this issue of INSIDE JYF, you’ll discover compelling artwork reflecting diverse cultures and the stories behind them in the “Reign & Rebellion” special exhibition now on display at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Along with centuries covered at both museums, learn about archival efforts to preserve JYF’s 60-plus years of history.

Springtime in Virginia heralds the fish migration upriver, offering a look at fishing in Virginia Indian communities, both in early America and today, and the importance of the culture’s reciprocal relationship with nature.

As our educators create new learning experiences for students and teachers across the Commonwealth, read about a unique JYF partnership that provided some Virginia students an opportunity to hone real-world skills while creating education programs for a younger generation.

Our spring calendar is full of great experiences! Discover our new season of the Director’s Series and returning favorites from Jamestown Day to Juneteenth, as well as engaging events that have already commenced this year.

Behind our work, we remain grateful to the many Board members, donors, staff and volunteers who help shape our organization and guide our mission, past and future. With 2023 underway, we invite you on this journey with us to rediscover our museums and the experiences that await you.

Yours truly,

Christy S. Coleman Executive Director

INSIDE JYF

EMILY MCCARTY TRACY PERKINS Editors JOAN HEIKENS JANET KANE Production Management HOLLAND WINSLOW Designer STAFF CONTRIBUTORS Alexis Becker Erin Koch Cindy Daniel Lianne Koch Constance Graham Lisa Lucas Trevor Grimm Cathy Fox Rawlins Katherine Egner Gruber Deana Ricks Jamie Helmick Meghan van Joosten Heather Hower WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Julie Basic, Alexis Becker, Trudith Dyer, Nancy Egloff, Katherine Egner Gruber, Jamie Helmick, Anita Hoffman, Heather Hower, Janet Kane, Mariruth Leftwich, Lisa Lucas, Elizabeth Mancano, Emily McCarty, Sam McGowan, Steven Prokopchak, Deana Ricks, Katie Schinabeck, Lee Ann Shelhorse, Bly Straube, Meghan van Joosten Enjoy INSIDE JYF? Support the museums by donating to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. If you no longer wish to receive INSIDE JYF in print or would like to convert to digital, email insidejyf@jyf.virginia.gov or call (757) 253-4139.

INSIDE JYF Volume 4, No. 1 – printed February 2023 The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an educational institution of the Commonwealth of Virginia accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, fosters through its museums—Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown—an awareness and understanding of the early history, settlement, and development of the United States through the convergence of American Indian, European, and African cultures and the enduring legacies bequeathed to the nation.

JAMESTOWN-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION P.O. Box 1607, Williamsburg, VA 23187 (757) 253-4838

jyfmuseums.org

2

|

INSIDE JYF

table of CONTENTS About the Cover “Grandma’s Cape,” a painting by Trudith Dyer (Upper Mattaponi), is among the featured art in the “Reign & Rebellion” special exhibition. Read inside to learn more about how the piece is inspired by her great-grandmother Mollie Holmes Adams, an Upper Mattaponi tribal leader.

Dyer shares the motivation behind her work in a special guest feature.

6

10

14

17

Spring Renewal for Tribal Communities Springtime heralds the start of a new reciprocal cycle between Virginia’s tribal communities and the natural environment.

Lilly Endowment Supports ‘Religion and Early America’ Through a grant award from Lilly Endowment Inc., JYF launches a new “Religion and Early America” initiative.

VA250 Kicks Off With ‘A Common Cause to All’ Learn about the March signature event that invites everyone to connect with the momentum of VA250.

JYFMUSEUMS.ORG

New Season for Director’s Series

A new season of the Director’s Series launched in January 2023 with a sold-out crowd to hear renowned interpreter Bill Barker and insight to his longtime portrayal as Thomas Jefferson. Read about the riveting program, see how you can view it at home and get ready for a full season of captivating conversations.

26

21

22

24

Donor Spotlight: Continuing a Legacy Nan Hawks shares how she keeps the memory of her late husband, Dan, alive by providing a memorial gift that honors his former work and passion at JYF.

Staff Spotlight: ‘Lead From the Front’ Discover how Sandra Williams leads her housekeeping team at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown with respect and encouragement.

Archival Preservation of JYF History Discover how JYF has preserved its history over the past 60+ years and the ongoing efforts to sustain the archive and enhance access to this unique collection.

|

3

LOYALTY TO THE KING “REIGN & REBELLION” illuminates the English Civil War and Divine Right of Kings. Despite Charles I’s execution in 1649, support for the monarchy continued. Intricately crafted in gold, diamond, turquoise and enamel, this mourning ring features his portrait, but its hinged lid allowed the wearer to keep their political loyalties secret until the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

Mourning rings were a common form as far back as the Middle Ages, giving comfort to the wearer and by suggesting everlasting life through memory.

The Maryland Center for History and Culture, which loaned the tiny ring for the exhibition, notes in its description: "The tradition became widely popularized after the execution of King Charles I in 1649.

Royalists showed their loyalty by wearing rings and pendants bearing enameled miniature portraits of their respected leader."

Charles I Mourning Ring, circa 1649.

Collection of the Maryland Center for History and Culture, Gift of Miss Clara Goldsborough Holloway. Photography by Alexander Kravets for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.

Reign /rān/ verb: prevail, dominate; hold office, as in king or queen noun: the period during which someone or something is predominant or preeminent

Re-bel-lion /rǝ'belyən/ noun: the action or process of resisting authority, control or convention When we look at objects, the brain sees what it wants to see.

Implicit biases, untruths and our own cognitive dissidence shape how we interact with objects.

“Reign & Rebellion” acts as a snapshot, forcing our focus on an era that had perhaps even more to do with the evolution of a nation than the American Revolution itself.

Historic documents, portraits, material culture and contemporary art unite to tell a more complete history of the Indigenous Virginians, West Central Africans and Europeans converging in Tsenacommacah and Virginia and their legacies today.

—Katherine Egner Gruber, Curatorial Manager From the woven bark and grasses created by Indigenous Virginians, the kuba cloth valued

by West Central Africans, the embroidery worked by English colonists and the tartan that signified royalty, threads of reign and rebellion came together in 17th-century Virginia.

Through her

Grandma’s Feathers

Indigenous Art by Trudith Dyer Trudith Dyer is a citizen of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe and much of her art is connected to her family roots and traditions.

Inspired by her great-grandmother, Mollie Holmes Adams, she uses her artwork to teach about Mollie’s legacy and advocates for the Upper Mattaponi people.

The “Reign & Rebellion” special exhibition features two of her paintings, “Grandma’s Cape” and “Paper Genocide.” The latter is displayed at Jamestown Settlement next to a turkey feather mantle crafted by her great-grandmother in the 1930s.

Both works were displayed during Jamestown Settlement’s “FOCUSED: A Century of Virginia Indian Resilience” special exhibition in 2020-2021, and previously displayed in the South Carolina Courthouse.

Trudith is a resident of Columbia, South Carolina, and an active member of the Indigenous Women’s Alliance of South Carolina. Both pieces were created in 2019 for the South Carolina SHE Festival, celebrating women in the arts during Women’s History Month, and “Paper Genocide” was shown at the Columbia Museum of Art. When “Paper Genocide” and “Grandma’s Cape” were originally conceived for the Paper Genocide Both “Paper Genocide” and “Grandma’s Cape” are done using red, a favorite color of the artist and one she considers symbolizing power. Drawing on the female empowerment in the arts, Trudith used mixed-media to create a powerful message that represents her ancestor as well as the children, grandchildren and strong women who are a part of the lineage of Mollie Holmes Adams – all of whom are also eligible to be enrolled members of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe.

SHE Festival, the submissions were intended to reflect a woman or women of influence in the life of the artist — someone she considered a “hero.” She immediately knew her work would reflect her greatgrandmother.

When sharing memories of her great-grandmother, Trudith recalled, “My most vivid memory of Grandmom Mollie was her ability to catch a hummingbird in her bare hands. Mollie Holmes Adams feels larger-than-life to her descendants and is known to all for her faith and love for her tribe and family.”

Mollie Adams was the wife of Upper Mattaponi Chief, Jasper Lewis Adams (1923-1973). Her son, Andrew Washington Adams, and her grandson, Kenneth Adams, also were elected to the position of chief in the generations after Mollie’s passing.

“Grandmom Mollie,” as she was affectionately known to her people, joined her husband as a tribal leader and raised 12 children. She fought against the racism and bigotry of Walter A. Plecker, who was head of the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics (1912-1946) and systematically worked to reclassify all Virginia Native Americans as “Negro” or “Colored,” subjecting them to the same Jim Crow laws applied to African Americans.

Virginia’s 1924 Racial Integrity Act attempted to remove Indigenous people and their cultures from the documentary record.

A lifelong artist, Trudith notes that much of her creative energy was tied to using her creative talents for personal enjoyment or useful projects in her career as a middle

Grandma’s Cape “Grandma’s Cape” was the first of Trudith Dyer’s pieces, created in 2019 on a canvas of 30x40 in a loose style intended to allow the viewer to use their own imagination to fill in the details. The image shows an image of “Grandma” from the back with her long flowing braid.

The piece is done largely using Trudith’s hands and fingers to create the outlines of hair and feathers.

school teacher. Today, she continues to research, learn and create art that reflects historical and cultural values as well as tell stories of our community.

Watch a video of Trudith Dyer discussing the inspiration behind her art at jyfmuseums.org/indigenous-art.

8

|

INSIDE JYF

Real People, Real Lives.

A Reproduction Silver Collar Reflects on Real Impacts of Slave Trade “Reign & Rebellion” encourages visitors to consider the impacts that Stuart monarchs had on Virginia’s growing reliance on the labor of enslaved men, women and children which, by the eve of the American Revolution, had come to define the economies of the southern colonies.

It’s difficult to grapple with the very real consequences of Virginia’s reliance on the slave trade—we must remember that it is more than a conversation about economies and status, it involves real people and real lives. This reproduction silver collar, on display in “Reign & Rebellion” at the American Revolution

Museum at Yorktown, is among the ways to remember the human stories and lived experiences of those who were owned and enslaved by others.

As property, some enslaved men were forced to wear silver collars. A silversmith advertised in a 1756 London newspaper his sale of “silver padlocks for Blacks or Dogs; collars &c.”

Preston Jones, Jr., a silversmith at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, based his repro- Portrait of Henry Darnall III (1702-1787), oil on canvas, Justus Engelhardt duction of a collar on an early Kuhn, circa 1710. Maryland Center for History and Culture. Bequest of 18th-century painting in the Miss Ellen C. Daingerfield. collection of the Maryland Historical Society. The painting The silver collar around his neck boasts the status and depicts a young, Black child wealth not of the wearer, but his owner. While the two and a son of his enslaver. are about the same age, we immediately understand from the depiction in the painting that their lives are very different.

Within the void of the reproduction silver collar on exhibit in “Reign & Rebellion,” we can better understand the very real lives impacted by the slave trade, and the ongoing fight for freedom and personal liberty that would run parallel to the Revolution.

—Katherine Egner Gruber, Curatorial Manager Silver collar for an enslaved person, modern reproduction based on an 18th-century painting. Courtesy of Emmanuel Dabney, in honor of Preston Jones, Jr.

JYFMUSEUMS.ORG

|

9

Backing Monarchy through a Fireback William Drummond was hanged in 1676 for his participation in Bacon’s Rebellion against Virginia’s government. Yet, as shown by an object displayed in Jamestown Settlement’s “Reign & Rebellion” special exhibition, Drummond and his family appear to have been royalists—supporters of the English government.

The object is a fireback, a cast-iron panel used at the back of the hearth to protect the fireplace wall and to reflect heat into a room.

The Drummond fireback is only a fragment, but we View of the west front of the Stocks Market, with the equestrian statue on a tall plinth know from an surrounded by iron railings, a man depicted under the foot of the horse; to the right the square filled with people buying and selling goods. c.1720 Etching intact example and engraving. © The Trustees of the British Museum. dated 1674 at Oliver Cromwell respectively. If you look carefully, you will Chequers, the see that Cromwell still wears a Turkish-style turban! country estate of Britain’s prime The statue was highly unpopular and finally removed in minister, that its 1739. It now stands overlooking the car park for Newby design depicts Cast-iron Fireback Hall in North Yorkshire. One wonders if the Drummonds Fragment, England, King Charles II realized how disliked the statue was when they ordered 1674. Virginia on horseback their fireback showing support for the king.

Department of trampling Oliver Historic Resources.

—Bly Straube, Ph.D., FSA, Senior Curator Cromwell underfoot.

The iconography is based on a statue erected in Stocks Market, London in 1672. Robert Vyner, goldsmith to the king and ever intent on ingratiating himself to the monarch, purchased the unfinished statue in Italy. Originally the monument was to the commander of the Polish armies Jan Sobieski and depicted him riding his horse over the figure of a Turk. Vyner paid an English sculptor to alter the faces of Sobieski and the Turk to resemble King Charles II and

A Satirical Response to the Statue But a market, as some say, doth fit the King well, Who the Parliament too — and revenue doth sell; And others, to make the similitude hold.

Say his Majesty too — is oft purchased and sold.

— Andrew Marvell, “On the Statue at Stocks–Market,” 1670s

10

|

INSIDE JYF

SPRING RENEWAL

Paspahegh Town historical interpreter Russell Reed casts a net for fishing in the James River. Photograph by Steven Prokopchak.

‘Cattapeuk’ Spawns Nature’s Bounty for Indigenous Communities

S

pring is widely considered a time to celebrate and champion both growth and renewal, themes that are central to this time of year in Virginia’s Indigenous tribal communities.

Spring is a season traditionally known by eastern Algonquian tribes as cattapeuk, which starts an annual cycle of a reciprocal relationship between Native peoples and the environment that sustains them. The concept of taking and giving back is a central core value to Indigenous nations

throughout the year, and this practice begins in springtime as nature begins to stir and fish begin to migrate upstream.

As the weather warms in Tidewater Virginia, fish migrate upriver to spawn. Traditionally, Eastern Algonquian men would do large scale fishing during this time, a practice that has continued for hundreds of years.

Historically, this large-scale fishing would help sustain communities with the wide variety of seafood available in the region, as well as support trade with other nations

living further inland away from waterways.

Additionally, the bounty collected from the water was used as tribute to chiefs and other leaders in central towns.

“The spring fishing season has always been key to our subsistence, and it’s when shad, herring and rockfish return to the freshwater rivers from which they were born to spawn,” explained Sam McGowan, a member of the Mattaponi Tribe and cultural outreach specialist with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s Indigenous Peoples Initiative.

“As stewards of the earth, we know the importance of balance in nature. Our hatcheries are one of the many ways we try to give back for future generations.”

Today, the tradition of commercial-level fishing in the spring continues in Indigenous communities in Virginia. Produce from the rivers, tributaries and the Chesapeake Bay helps to sustain community needs and is sold commercially. Given the reciprocal relationship tribes have with the environment, the practice of giving back endures in the form of putting fry (baby fish capable of feeding themselves) back into the river. Returning young fish to the water both ensures that fish are available each year and prevents strain on the local environment caused by overfishing. Both the Mattaponi and Pamunkey communities have hatcheries on their reservations for this purpose.

At Jamestown Settlement, historical interpreters discuss the importance of fishing to Virginia Indian communities throughout the year and demonstrate 17th-century fishing techniques and tools, including dugout canoes, weirs, nets and trot lines, in the re-created Paspahegh Town and along the James River.

—Jamie Helmick, Director Indigenous Peoples Initiative

Carl “Lone Eagle” Custalow and his brother Leon work drift nets on the Mattaponi River.

William Graham/Alamy Stock Photo.

The Indigenous Peoples Initiative is supported in part by Linda Baker and Mark Sobol.

12

|

INSIDE JYF

Through the Camera Lens,

Teens Focus on Hands-on Experiential Learning of Virginia History

Kecoughtan High School students film a scene at Jamestown Settlement depicting English colonists deciding how to construct a fort. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation photo.

“Lights, camera, action!”

W

hether on a fort bulwark or on a square-rigged ship, teenagers from Hampton City Schools spent last summer immersed in history at Jamestown Settlement.

Working in front of and behind the camera, high school students produced videos about 17th-century Virginia to create education programs for a younger generation of students in elementary school.

Experience, a Hampton City Schools virtual learning program for grades K-5.

Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation partnered with Hampton City Schools for this high school experiential learning program. Kecoughtan High School sophomores enrolled in their college and career preparatory programs — the Academy of Teaching, Education, and Learning and Performing Arts Academy — collaborated to design and create educational videos for The Future Learning

Students in the Teaching, Education, and Learning Academy researched and selected 4th-grade Virginia Studies learning standards to develop educational videos, while the Performing Arts Academy students integrated these standards into interactive stories and scripts.

JYF digital media and education specialists worked in tandem alongside academy students as they created engaging educational videos to arm them with not only videography support but historical content and reproduction clothing and artifacts to enrich each program.

Utilizing the Jamestown Settlement galleries, livinghistory areas and cameo appearances by historical

JYFMUSEUMS.ORG

interpreters, these video projects told stories of early America in fun, creative ways, such as video-based “Choose Your Own Adventure” activities, skits about history time travelers and modern news broadcasts with historical interpreter interviews.

Throughout this project, academy students not only honed their skills in teamwork and creative problem-solving, but they also gained invaluable, hands-on experiences in their desired future career paths as educators or performing art professionals and technicians.

Near the end of the summer program, Kecoughtan High School staff and students recounted how much they learned while working with JYF staff and the unique opportunity to film videos in re-created areas with reproduction artifacts. Inspired by how exciting history can be to learn and teach in a living-history setting, some students even asked for information and applications to return to the JYF as youth volunteers.

Students completed this project with incredible new experiences, knowledge and understanding of history that was translated into the material they produced for younger students. These educational videos and supplementary materials can aid younger students in relating better to history topics, building confidence and exploring their own interests in education and performing arts.

Bringing mission-driven educational materials and experiences to learners of all ages is a cornerstone of such JYF and collaborative partnerships, making history come alive for everyone.

—Alexis Becker, Communications Specialist Museum Operations and Education

|

13

Educational Experiences

Whether you are a parent looking for fun, educational summer camps for children or an educator looking to jump into hands-on professional development, JYF has lots of great ways to explore the past.

Summer History Camps – June 19-July 27 History camps at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown offer multi-day, on-site educational programs designed to inspire engagement with early American history. This summer, JYF campers will explore the following themes: plants and animals, communication and clothing and fashion.

Space is limited, and registration is online only and available first come, first served. Visit jyfmuseums.org/historycamps for details and to register.

Summer Teacher Institute – July 10-14 The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Summer Teacher Institute, a popular professional development experience, returns in July to Jamestown Settlement to provide Virginia teachers with historical content and teaching strategies they can take back to the classroom. Participants experience authentic learning activities and create lessons and performance tasks they can use in the classroom for years to come. To apply, visit jyfmuseums.org/teacherinstitute.

The Summer Teacher Institute is free for all participants, thanks to generous support by the JamestownYorktown Foundation, Inc. Annual Fund, the Abbitt Family Foundation, the Charles S. and Millicent P. Brown Family Foundation, Audrael and John Chiricotti, Randy and Shelby Hawthorne, and Wilma and Marc Sharp.

14

|

INSIDE JYF

LILLY ENDOWMENT SUPPORTS

‘Religion and Early America’

Lilly Endowment’s Religion & Cultural Institutions Initiative supports “museums and other cultural institutions across the United States to develop exhibitions and educational programs that fairly and accurately portray the role of religion in the U.S. and around the world.”

T

he Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the implementation of “Religion and Early America,” an initiative to explore and enhance the representation of the role of religion and belief systems in our galleries, interpretation and programs. This grant follows the receipt of a $96,000 planning grant from Lilly Endowment in 2021, used to gather input from internal, scholarly and community stakeholders to inform the initiative’s scope and goals.

As one of 16 grantees in this year’s initiative funding, JYF joins renowned museums and cultural institutions across the country, such as the Library of Congress and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in “strengthening the public’s understanding of religion and promoting respect among people of diverse faith traditions.”

—Lilly Endowment Inc., OUR WORK: Religion and Cultural Institutions

This represents the largest foundation grant ever received by JYF. “Religion and Early America” enables JYF to enhance the topic of religion, a key aspect of early American life, across our museums and educational platforms. New gallery components, living-history experiences and programming will explore 17th- and 18th-century religions and belief systems and their role within the converging cultures highlighted in our mission and how those impacts continue into our modern era.

As we implement this initiative, JYF will invite our audiences, Board members, fellow museum professionals and external scholars to examine these concepts more deeply, explore different perspectives and engage in dialogue about religion’s role in early America through community conversations and a new biannual “Religion and Early America” symposium slated to begin in 2023.

Follow along for the latest news by visiting our website at jyfmuseums.org or receive a free subscription to INSIDE JYF by donating to JYF’s Annual Fund.

—Emily McCarty, Development Writer —Mariruth Leftwich, Ph.D., Senior Director, Museum Operations and Education

Want to get an insider’s view?

Go beyond being a museum visitor and join our donor family!

Your support opens access to our museums’ galleries and exhibits, collections and educational offerings and ensures the mission of JYF continues for generations to come.

Whether you give monthly or annually, your gift makes an impact— support JYF’s Annual Fund today!

jyfmuseums.org/donate

LOG ON TO HISTORY

JYFMuseums.org

GETS NEW LOOK JYFMuseums.org, the website for Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, debuted a new design in December after a year of extensive visitor research and vigorous content review.

Donning vibrant colors and bold museum images, the enhanced website features new structure and functionality for greater usability and appeal for online users — from visitors looking to purchase a ticket to the museums to educators accessing educational resources. The responsive design adapts for use on laptop, mobile and tablet.

The homepage touts unique and seasonal experiences at both museums, special exhibitions and programs, educational opportunities and ways to support the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. It connects users to details about ticket options, private events, gift shops as well as museum events and news, plus links to social media platforms @jyfmuseums.

New features include a revamped Learning Center tool to assist teachers, students and parents in accessing useful educational resources, including primary sources, videos and content sorted by topic and grade level.

A similar widget helps visitors explore the museums’ gallery exhibits and outdoor living-history areas, plan their visit and find year-round special events and programs.

At JYFMuseums.org, history is in your hands.

The new design offers enhanced accessibility In 2022, more than 1.3 million users visited the website. JYFMuseums.org for visitors with disabilities by meeting rebranded from HistoryisFun.org in 2021. Its last redesign was in 2017 industry standards for low-vision and hearing-impaired users. It also features new with the opening of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and —Deana Ricks, Communications Specialist Accessibility webpages.

Marketing and Public Relations

JYFMUSEUMS.ORG

|

17

Virginia 250th American Revolution Commemoration Commences with ‘A Common Cause to All’ Nationwide Summit Revolutionary history is being made in Virginia with the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) launch of a national kickoff and signature event in March to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026.

Virginia hosted the first gathering of states to mark the 250th in the nation during “A Common Cause to All” at Colonial Williamsburg on March 10-12, marking the 250th anniversary of the formation of Virginia’s Committee of Correspondence on March 12, 1773, in the Raleigh Tavern.

Americans, corresponding to create a nationwide celebration of the people, ideas and events that led to this nation’s ongoing experiment in self-government.

Follow VA250 across social media @VARevolution250 and #VA250 and visit VA250.org to learn about commemoration plans in development and to see what’s happening in every region Virginia.

—Elizabeth Mancano, Deputy Director Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission

That historic meeting in 1773 was the first call for collaboration between the colonies — an event that eventually led to revolution and American Independence. Marking that important national milestone, commemoration leaders gathered in that same space 250 years later to remember and discuss issues that mattered then and still matter today.

The signature event reflected the Committees of Correspondence by including colleagues in other states, state 250th commissioners, along with representatives of Virginia local committees, to spend a weekend of mutual learning, discussion and collaboration.

State, local and national level planners had opportunities to connect with their counterparts, share ideas and continue in the vein of those early

A VA250 SALUTE! The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commemoration officially kicks off with “A Common Cause to All” signature event in March at Colonial Williamsburg. Photo by Darnell Vennie for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

WHAT’S IN STORE:

DELFT

Tobacco Jars Classic “Virginia” tobacco jar in blue and white, 9.5-inches; also available in 6.5- and 14.5-inches tall.

Beautiful “Virginia” tobacco jar in polychrome; 6.5-, 9.5- and 14.5-inches tall.

JYFMUSEUMS.ORG

T

|

19

hese beautiful Delft jars are reproductions of jars originally used in colonial Virginia during the 17th and 18th centuries to store herbs and leaf tobacco.

Manufactured for our Museum Shops by Royal Goedewaagen – one of the oldest earthenware factories in the Netherlands – the jars are made using the finest clay.

To optimize and guarantee quality, various clays from Germany, England and Norway are mixed. The clay is then transferred to plaster molds and carefully baked in a bisque oven. Finally, the ceramics are decorated with bile acids or paint, resulting in the heirloom-quality reproduction that will endure for many generations.

Royal Goedewaagen is famous for its authentic Delftware decorations which are still part of their trademark today. This manufacturing process, using raw material such as ceramics, is a traditional art form. Royal Goedewaagen is the only earthenware manufacturer in the Netherlands that still uses traditional decorative techniques; from partially mechanized decorating techniques to fully manual techniques.

The jars are offered in three sizes in the polychrome (multi-color), or blue/white colorways shown here and are now available in our main shops at both museums. ­— Janet Kane, Senior Manager Retail Operations

Keepsake “Virginia” tobacco jar ornament in blue and white; 3-inches tall.

Plant the Seeds Today that inspire a love of history for generations to come

Planned gifts are an enduring way you can Establishing a planned gift not only provides support Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation while continued support to JYF, it provides helping achieve your personal, financial, estate YOU with special opportunities, such as: planning and philanthropic goals.

• early registration access for popular events Planned gifts can take many forms, from IRA • behind-the-scenes activities Charitable Rollovers to joining the Mathews Legacy • connecting with fellow museum lovers who Society through estate planning, and help secure share a passion for preserving history, just JYF’s mission, supporting engaging programs and like you exhibits that are meaningful to you.

Learn more about how you can leave your legacy, and contact Julie Basic, senior director of Development, at Julie.Basic@jyf.virginia.gov or (757) 253-4108.

donor SPOTLIGHT A Wife’s Memorial Gift Continues the Work and Passion of Her Late Husband Continuing a Legacy by Building the Artifact Collection

JYFMUSEUMS.ORG

F

or nearly 55 years, Nan Hawks and her late husband, Dan, involved themselves in the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, both as donors and through Dan’s work in building the museum collection.

|

21

acquiring artifacts on the overseas market. Dan generously shared his extensive knowledge of the sometimes bewildering world of British antique dealers and auction houses with me. The fact that he was a respected figure on both sides of the Atlantic gave the Foundation access to some real treasures that otherwise would have escaped our collecting net. It was due to his guidance, contacts and judgement that we were able to acquire our unique collection of original 17th-century portraits of Virginia Company investors.”

As a curator who began his 47-year tenure in Nan and Dan Hawks 1969, Dan played a role in helping the museums grow from regional attractions to world-class museums. Dan loved his profession to such a degree that according to Nan, he felt he “never worked a day in his life.”

Throughout his time at JYF, Dan worked tirelessly to enhance and expand the artifact collection, acquiring objects from around the world that best enabled the Foundation to tell the stories of the people and events that converged here in the 17th and 18th centuries.

In addition to his curatorial role, Dan served as a mentor and left a lasting impact on his fellow colleagues. Tom Davidson, former senior curator, recalled, “When I first came to JYF in 1987, I had virtually no experience with

Portrait of Cesellye Sherley West, Lady de la Warr, JYF2005.54.

Portrait of Thomas West, Third Baron de la Warr, JYF2000.2.

To honor Dan’s legacy and continue their ongoing support of JYF, Nan recently made a special gift towards artifact acquisition across both museums. In addition, visitors will enjoy a new place to sit and take in the scenery at Jamestown Settlement with a bench bearing his name.

Memorial gifts like Nan’s not only honor the passions and interests of loved ones, but also help their legacy live on by supporting the educational work at JYF for years to come.

For more information about supporting our artifact acquisition program or how you can recognize others through gifts to the Foundation, contact Senior Director of Development Julie Basic at (757) 253-4108.

Curatorial Department staff (shown from left) included Thomas “Tom” Davidson, Nancy Egloff, Paul Everett, Daniel “Dan” Hawks, Robert “Bob” Dillard, William “Bill” Hancock, Mark Cattanach and Priscilla Hauger.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Sandra Williams

PRIDE IN WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES

T

here is nothing “behind the scenes” about Sandra Williams. On any given day, you can find her in every corner of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

That is of course, if you can keep up.

Whether cleaning fingerprints from exhibition cases to routine dusting, Sandra stays on the move, leading her housekeeping team through the daily preparations of making sure that the museum shines inside and out, work that she takes a tremendous amount of pride in.

She loves to hear people say, “It’s sooo clean!”

Her “lead-from-the-front” attitude comes from her core values of respect and encouragement, working in step with her small staff through every task and challenge. While the new cleaning protocols brought on by the pandemic could have been overwhelming, Sandra and her team took it in stride.

Not only did they work tirelessly to ensure that all who came had a safe, clean place to return to, they were there

waiting with open arms, reassurance and a good dose of humor. Making people laugh is one of her favorite things to do and, in uncertain times, she made sure that everyone still was laughing while getting the job done.

If she seems at ease in the galleries and halls of the museum, you can be assured that she is.

Sandra, herself a painter and sketcher, has a true passion and love for art and museums. While she does find comfort in the routine of cleaning, she draws her inspiration from her family, travel and a strong curiosity for learning.

After 18 years with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, she is thinking about the next phase of life and hopes it includes more of those things she loves. If you ask her what matters most today, she will tell you, “I like people to be happy when they come in.”

—Lee Ann Shelhorse, Talent Acquisition Manager Human Resources and Professional Development

JYFMUSEUMS.ORG

|

23

JYF Board of Trustees Announces New Officers The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board of Trustees recently elected and welcomed new officers to serve a two-year term. These civil servants and community leaders bring their skills and expertise to guide the work of the state agency and two museums, Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. The election announcements were made during the Board of Trustees’ fall meeting at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown in November.

The Board elected Senator Thomas K. Norment, Jr. as chair of the Board of Trustees.

This is Senator Norment’s second chairmanship, after leading the Board in 2007 during America’s 400th Anniversary Commemoration of Jamestown. He currently serves as a director for the Jamestown-Yorktown Educational Trust, director on the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. Board and is a member of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. Senator Norment represents the 3rd District in the Senate of Virginia.

Sue Gerdelman was elected vice chair. Mrs. Gerdelman is a dedicated supporter of the agency, with prior service as secretary of the Board of Trustees and president of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. She also serves as director for the Jamestown-Yorktown Educational Trust. She served on the 2019 Commission, American Evolution and is currently serving on the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. She is a member of the William & Mary Board of Visitors.

Delegate Amanda Batten, appointed to the Board of Trustees in April 2022, was elected to the office of secretary. She represents District 96 in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Delegate Batten also serves the Commission on Civic Education, the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission and the Governor’s Aerospace Advisory Council. She is currently a James City County Ruritan member and a Board member of the Virginia Symphony Society.

Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2018, was re-elected to the office of treasurer. Delegate McQuinn represents the 70th House District. Prior to serving in the House of Delegates, she served as vice chair of the Richmond School Board, and as vice mayor on Richmond City Council.

The Board of Trustees also honored Delegate Kenneth R. Plum as outgoing chairman and thanked him for his leadership over the past two years. Delegate Plum represents the 36th District in the Virginia House of Delegates and is the chairman emeritus for the House Democratic Caucus. He currently serves on the House Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources, Appropriations and Public Safety Committees.

—Lisa Lucas, Office Manager and Board Liaison Executive Office

Preserving JYF History through Institutional Archives

M

useum guides and brochures. Event programs.

Commemorative invitations. Presidential and royal visits.

Photographs, slides and 16mm film – these are among the records that document the development and evolution of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and its museums.

Since its inception in the mid-1950s, the JamestownYorktown Foundation (originally the Jamestown Foundation) has been collecting and preserving documents and other materials that tell the institution’s history alongside the development of the agency and its museums. These items constitute the museum archives and special collection.

As an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Foundation is mandated to maintain and preserve certain categories of records. The mission of the archives is to serve as the memory of the Foundation by caring for these records and other materials through preservation and storage. The JYF archives comprise everything from previous museum guides, programs and brochures to invitations and photographs, and even a dinner menu for Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II! To ensure these archival pieces remain well-preserved, organized and accessible for years to come, JYF took steps in 2022 to reevaluate its agency archives and hired Anita Hoffman as project archivist to professionally maintain its institutional history. Hoffman met with members of all departments to assess their records and identify JYF archival materials and is now working to establish a policy for archival collecting and develop a plan for future retention, cataloging and storage of JYF records.

Additionally, volunteer Diana Cartwright and Sabrina Collins, a spring intern from Christopher Newport University, have assisted with the archival processing of current holdings by

Our Mission, Your Impact

The JamestownYorktown Foundation archives comprise a range of materials, including museum guides, invitations, photographs and even a 1957 dinner menu for the visit of Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

reviewing the countless floppy disks and CD-ROMS, photographs, ephemera and research materials and rehousing JYF’s unique history into acid-free folders and boxes, while recording the inventory.

This important and time-consuming work will benefit not only JYF staff but anyone interested in learning more about the history of JYF in the future. This evaluation, organization and policy-defining process will lay the groundwork for a future project to accession and catalog all archival materials into a new collections management system software. Through this new digital platform with a public-facing site, JYF’s collection will be made available and easily accessible to the staff and public as an educational resource.

—Nancy Egloff, Historian —Anita Hoffman, Project Archivist

Long-term projects like JYF institutional archival preservation and digitization are made possible through generous contributions to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. Annual Fund. The Annual Fund provides the Foundation with unrestricted resources to support the projects, programs and initiatives at JYF – both front of house and behind the scenes – that enable us to make history meaningful for current and future generations.

26

|

INSIDE JYF

Launches 2023 Season With

SOLD-OUT CROWD

SOLD OUT. Yes, Jamestown Settlement’s popular

Director’s Series is back for the 2023 season. If the response to the first program is any indication, guests are encouraged to reserve their seats while they still can.

A packed theater joined Executive Director Christy S. Coleman on January 18 for a glimpse at renowned interpreter Bill Barker and insight on his longtime portrayal as Thomas Jefferson.

Humorous and poignant, Barker recounted his beginnings at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and on to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello. Guests learned how he landed the role at Colonial Williamsburg in 1993 (an encounter with Roy Underhill, also well known for his work on the PBS show “The Woodwright’s Shop”), how visitors reacted to

him after the 1998 DNA revelation that Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hemings and about the top questions he wished were asked about this iconic figure.

And, in case you missed it, you can view the full 90-minute program with Bill Barker and additional past speakers on jyfmuseums.org/directorsseries.

The six-part series, in its second year and sponsored by TowneBank, features lively and enlightening conversations with prominent scholars and public figures for surrounding our shared legacies of American history.

Future programs are scheduled at 7 p.m. March 15, May 17, September 20, October 18 and November 15. Hold on to your seats, as the guest for the Director’s Series finale on November 15 has not yet been announced.

JYFMUSEUMS.ORG

|

27

Upcoming Director’s Series Programs March 15: Dr. Kimberly Gilmore

As The History Channel/A&E Networks chief historian and senior vice president for Corporate Social Responsibility, Dr. Kimberly Gilmore has been responsible for bringing some of the most compelling documentaries, mini-series and dramatic films to the small screen for more than 20 years. They will examine how she assesses the creative and historical to hook viewers on history.

May 17: Alexis Coe

An American presidential historian, podcast host and bestselling author, Alexis Coe is the first woman historian to write a biography of Washington in over a hundred years. She was a consulting producer on and appeared in Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Washington series on The History Channel, frequently appearing on live television and in documentaries. The program will explore her unique voice bridging scholarship and wit to create captivating historical works.

September 20: Dr. James Horn

Dr. James Horn, president of the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation (Preservation Virginia) at Historic Jamestowne, is a leading expert on early Virginia and the author of numerous articles and books on the subject. He has held fellowships at Johns Hopkins University, William & Mary and Harvard University and is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. They will discuss how the story of Jamestown has evolved over time with new scholarship.

October 18: Michael W. Twitty

Michael W. Twitty, an African American and Jewish culinary historian and food writer, is a blogger at Afroculinaria.com and author of award-winning books, including the 2018 James Beard Award’s “The Cooking Gene” that traces his ancestry through food from Africa to America and from slavery to freedom. He has appeared on numerous national television programs and holds various esteemed roles. The program will explore the evolution of tracing personal roots through food.

RESERVE YOR SEAT Guests can join the Director’s Series in-person with a live audience or virtually for $10 per program or $50 for the entire six-part series. Admission is limited and tickets must be purchased online in advance at jyfmuseums.org/directorsseries.

TowneBank is presenting sponsor of the 2023 Director’s Series.

28

|

INSIDE JYF

calendar of EVENTS Reign & Rebellion

A SPECIAL EXHIBITION ON DISPLAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 5, “Reign & Rebellion” spans the centuries to explore how the Stuart monarchy shaped the struggles and determination of all who converged in early Virginia. The dual special exhibition creates connections to illuminate how the Stuarts — and their past to present legacies in Virginia — are closer than you think and is complemented by a series of captivating daytime and evening programs, including an exploration of the power structures of Indigenous, European and West Central African cultures during “Counter Cultures: Reign” on April 22.

Military Through the Ages

“Who MARCH 18-19 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, make ready for a unique Conspires?” chronological display celebrating centuries of military history in one weekend,

Photo by Bob Ruegsegger.

featuring music by Ladies for Liberty. Explore military encampments and interact with hundreds of re-enactors depicting armed forces from 500 B.C.E. all the way to modern-day soldiers to learn how uniforms, weapons and tactics evolved through the centuries.

AFTER HOURS AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, join in an immersive escape room murder mystery in the re-created fort on May 26 & 27 and June 2 & 3 with links to the 1605 gunpowder plot to blow up England’s King James I and the Houses of Parliament. Spaces are limited and admission is $20 per person.

Sponsored by

JYFMUSEUMS.ORG

Indigenous Arts Day

MAY 13 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, celebrate Indigenous peoples’ enduring legacies with traditional and contemporary art forms, featuring outdoor music and dance performances.

|

29

Jamestown Day

MAY 13 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, mark the 416th anniversary of the 1607 founding of Jamestown with military salutes, maritime programs and interpretive demonstrations.

Juneteenth

JUNE 17 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, celebrate this historic moment in African American history with music, dance and dramatic presentations.

Liberty Celebration

JULY 4 AT AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN, salute the 247th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with a patriotic lineup of programs to mark the Fourth of July.

MORE 2023 EVENTS & PROGRAMS Counter Cultures: Rebellion • September 2 | Director’s Series: Dr. James Horn • September 20 Museums open year-round 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tours and ticket information available at jyfmuseums.org/visit or call (757) 253-4838. Check out the complete calendar at jyfmuseums.org/events.

Through September 2023