Students speak with the founding father of this country as George Washington remembers his early years as a young soldier and politician in the British colony of Virginia. Torn between the worlds of their ancestors and the European colonists, the Brafferton students exemplify the clash of cultures that has continued throughout American history. Students get in on the ground floor with tradesmen and architectural historians as they restore and rebuild the houses and structures of Colonial Williamsburg while rediscovering the secrets of the 18 th -century builders. Students explore the rural traditions, self-reliance, economy and seasonal rhythms of farming life in the 18 th and 19 th centuries, a time when most Americans were farmers. From the 18 th to the 21 st century, advances in technology changed the nature of work.
Students examine technology s effect on labor, family, and how people perceive their jobs.
Americans protested British taxation beginning with the Stamp Act in 1765, but as students discover it was the Boston Tea Party of 1773 that became the final spark that united the colonies against Great Britain. The web sites are available throughout the year. Students interact directly with Colonial Williamsburg, telephoning with comments and questions during each program. Teams of historians answer telephones and e-mailed questions, and dedicated Internet bulletin board postings that are available throughout the year to encourage student interaction with Colonial Williamsburg.