News Summary
The Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia event on November 28 and 29 allows visitors to explore early Virginia culinary traditions. Guests will enjoy live cooking demonstrations showcasing Powhatan and colonial food practices, including venison roasting and traditional stews. The event aims to educate attendees about food preservation and preparation techniques of the 17th and 18th centuries, making it accessible for families and residents with discounted admission.
Jamestown, Virginia – The Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia event will take place on Friday and Saturday, November 28 and 29, offering visitors a chance to explore the culinary traditions of early Virginians during the 17th and 18th centuries. Hosted at both the Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, the event seeks to educate attendees on the food gathering, preservation, and preparation practices of Virginia’s early colonists and Indigenous Powhatan people.
Throughout the event, guests will engage in live cooking demonstrations, showcasing traditional methods in the re-creations of Paspahegh Town, a colonial fort, and the ships’ pier. Attendees will witness the roasting of venison, turkey, and various other game over open flames, alongside stews crafted from corn, beans, and squash cooked in clay pots. A particular focus will be placed on the significance of corn to Powhatan life, highlighting its uses in traditional dishes such as corncakes and corn dumplings.
The event will also give insights into the food preparation techniques utilized by Powhatan Indians, who employed tools made from stone and bone. Historical interpreters will further contribute to the experience by baking bread in a Devon oven and demonstrating open-hearth cooking of pudding, pies, and pottage using recipes that date back to the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
In addition to colonial cooking, visitors can gain an understanding of life at sea, learning about common shipboard fare which included salted fish, meat, and hard biscuits, as well as fresh provisions gathered during voyages to Jamestown. The event will highlight how Continental Army soldiers fed themselves using daily rations that were transformed into nourishing stews, pies, and breads.
Amidst recreations of a Continental Army encampment and a Revolution-era farm, attendees will witness cooking demonstrations that emphasize the resourcefulness of soldiers who made hearty meals from limited rations, such as dried beans and salted meat. Additionally, demonstrations at the farm will show how 18th-century recipes were brought back to life over an open hearth.
Families will also have the opportunity to learn about the preservation and storage methods used by farming families who needed to survive the colder winter months. Children aged 5 and under will receive free admission to both museums, making it an accessible event for families.
Residents of York County, James City County, and the City of Williamsburg, including students from William & Mary, can gain free entry with valid proof of residency. For the broader public, a Combination Ticket is available for purchase online at a price of $34.00 for adults and $17.00 for ages 6-12, allowing for seven days of unlimited admission to both museums. Alternatively, an America’s Historic Triangle Ticket provides access to multiple historical sites, including Jamestown Settlement and Colonial Williamsburg, for up to seven days.
Single-site tickets are also available, priced at $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for ages 6-12, for admission to either museum. For further details, attendees can contact (888) 593-4682 or visit the event website.
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Additional Resources
- Williamsburg Families: Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia
- Eater: Colonial Williamsburg Food
- Virginia Living: Colonial America’s Favorite Cocktails
- History: Eat Like a Colonist
- Williamsburg Families: Thanksgiving Dinner in Colonial Williamsburg
- Wikipedia: Colonial America
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
