Perfect For
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- Schools
- Libraries
- Community Programs
- Festivals
Recommended Ages
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- All ages
Program Length
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- 45–60 Minutes
Learning Themes
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- African American History
- Colonial American History
- Heritage
- Cultural Awareness
- Character Development
18th-century: Ol’ Bess speaks at a Gathering
Stories, songs, humor, and hope inspired by the voices of colonial Williamsburg.
Ol’ Bess, a tavern slave from 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia, stops by in costume and invites folks to a slave-gathering and shares the tales of humor, lessons and dreams from her time period. She also shares about her life – joys, sorrows and hopes. Songs are included in this very interactive program. If time is available, and students are grade 6 and above, there is a Q&A session at end of presentation.
Sample Stories Include
- Simon & Susannah
- Devil Coined a Phrase (compiled by Zora Neale Hurston)
- Combustible Woman (from the Virginia Gazette)