The late 1770s saw Williamsburg reach a critical point in the American Revolutionary War, with the capital moving to Richmond in 1779. As the tides shifted in Virginia, the American colonies as a whole experienced an entirely new type of keyboard: the piano. Unlike most of its ancestors, the piano was capable of producing dynamics through touch. The novel keyboard was quickly acquired by Williamsburg’s citizens like Robert Carter, Lord Dunmore, and Ann Barraud. Join Kyle Collins from Governor’s Musick as he explores the waning influence of the Virginian capital against the waxing popularity of the revolutionary square piano.
Other Experiences
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Visit with Ann Wager
Step into the past with Ann Wager, Educator of free and enslaved children. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges she faced.
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Visit with George Wythe
Step into the past with George Wythe, teacher, lawyer, judge, and revolutionary. Through stories and questions, explore the hopes, choices, and challenges he faced.
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George Wythe House
Visit the site where Thomas Jefferson studied law and enlightenment ideas.