Talk about a sweet assignment! Last week, we got to sit in on a culinary demonstration inside our Taste Studio with Head Pastry Chef Rodney Diehl as he showed us how to whip up delicious chocolate ganache, crème brûlée, mousse, and our famous Colonial Williamsburg hot chocolate. They may be modern recipes but each was inspired by an ingredient that’s been around for more than 250 years. (Stay tuned for the recipes, below!)…
The Untold Ghost Stories of Colonial Williamsburg
Doors that open on their own, candles that mysteriously move, and the unexplained wails of a baby—these are just some of the eerie encounters Joyce Garner and other Colonial Williamsburg employees say they’ve had with the supernatural over the years. …
Witching Hour: Find the 5 Hidden Spooks!
Having trouble sleeping? You aren’t the only one. It’s Halloween and it’s midnight—officially the “witching hour.” …
Legends of 18th-century Vampires, Ghosts, and Villains
You can’t get a complete tour of the Revolutionary City without stopping inside the Governor’s Palace or the Getty, Randolph, and Wythe Houses. All are rich in history. And all are said to be haunted. With Halloween around the corner, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take the Ghosts Amongst Us tour. I can promise you, the same buildings you’ve seen during the day take on a completely different feel when you visit them under a cloak of darkness—with nothing but lanterns, candles, and your imagination to guide your way….
The Haunted Tale of an 18th-century Love Affair
The George Wythe House is one of the 88 original buildings in the Historic Area. Not only is it one of the oldest, if you believe in ghost tales, it’s also reportedly one of the most haunted. …
Seasonal Recipes: Pumpkin Cider, Flan, Ice Cream & Crostini
Earlier this week, we told you that in the 18th century, pumpkins were mainly used to flavor beer and feed livestock. However, in the 21st century, we don’t like to simply carve our pumpkins in October, we like to eat (and drink) them! …
What’s in Season: Pumpkins, Parsnips & Pomegranates
Fall is the season of flavors, including my personal favorite—pumpkin! But during my visit to the Colonial Garden, I learned that the pumpkins we enjoy so much in our Thanksgiving pies and Starbucks lattes are actually… squash. …
Trading Secrets: Hot Off the Press
How much would you be willing to pay for your favorite book? Consider this. In the 18th century, The Virginia Almanack was small enough to fit in your pocket yet it cost the same as a night’s stay in one of Williamsburg’s taverns! Pleasure reading was a luxury most colonists couldn’t afford. The print shop’s main focus was publishing those almanacs, government documents, and the weekly newspaper, The Virginia Gazette.…
5 Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Secrets Revealed!
Earlier in the week, we took you along for a private baking lesson as our Colonial Williamsburg chefs whipped up a batch of our traditional Raleigh Tavern Gingerbread Cookies. Now, we’re going to kick things up a notch and show you how to turn a good recipe into a great one….
Gingerbread Cookies: Raleigh Tavern Recipe
Have you ever noticed how certain aromas enter your nose—then waft down to the deepest nooks and crannies of your soul? They can unlock memories you didn’t even realize were buried there. Simply put: specific smells and tastes take us to our “happy place.” And that’s exactly where I ended up when we stepped into the kitchen at the Williamsburg Lodge for a private baking lesson….