Margaret Hunter Shop : The official site of Colonial Williamsburg

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The Margaret Hunter Shop has on display the latest in colonial dress (formal wear), undress (informal wear), children's stays, and gentlemen's linens and fabrics.

Multimedia and related links

Video
The Second Pour

We're making a cannon: watch the second mortar pour. September 15, 2009

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The Joy of Discovery

Recreating 18th-century technology takes perseverance and luck, says Jay Gaynor, Director of Historic Trades. August 10, 2009

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Swordmaking in the 18th Century

Colonial tradesmen learned the swordmaking craft as Virginia armed itself for war. Journeyman brass founder Suzie Dye describes the process. March 2, 2009

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Colonial Journalism

Political pressure and personal bias have hounded American journalists since the first newspapers were printed. Interpreter Dennis Watson talks about the Virginia Gazette. January 5, 2009

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The Apprentice! Tour

Kids experience how 18th century apprentices learned their trade.

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Podcasts
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The Joy of Discovery

Recreating 18th-century technology takes perseverance and luck, says Jay Gaynor, Director of Historic Trades. August 10, 2009

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18th-Century Surgery

Colonial medicine is not for the faint of heart. Sharon Cotner describes the philosophies and practices. July 6, 2009

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Swordmaking in the 18th Century

Colonial tradesmen learned the swordmaking craft as Virginia armed itself for war. Journeyman brass founder Suzie Dye describes the process. March 2, 2009

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Ironworks at Jamestown

Virginia's soil yielded unexpected resources. Journeyman Blacksmith Shel Browder talks about an early iron foundry at Jamestown. February 23, 2009

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Colonial Journalism

Political pressure and personal bias have hounded American journalists since the first newspapers were printed. Interpreter Dennis Watson talks about the Virginia Gazette. January 5, 2009

Audio podcast: Listen (mp3) | Transcript
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Video podcast: Watch | Transcript
Colonial Weapons System

As important as the cannon is the vehicle to carry it: a two-wheeled cart that transports, supports, and stores the weapon and its accoutrements. Wheelwright John Boag has the task of construction. December 15, 2008

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For What Ails You

For poxes, headaches, and fevers, the apothecary has a preparation to ease your symptoms. Medical historian Susan Pryor details the treatments. May 19, 2008

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Fashion and Function

A corset's engineered strictness defines the shape of the 18th-century woman. Journeywoman Brooke Welborn explains the trend. May 5, 2008

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The Butcher, the Baker

One sheep's fleece supplies half a dozen trades. Shepherdess Carrie MacDougal spins the tale. February 25, 2008

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Wealth on the Shelf

When a single book cost half a year's wages, tomes were rare treasures. Bruce Plumley describes the bookbinding trade. February 11, 2008

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Carriages, Carts and Wagons

Conjuring a wheel from elm and iron is one big geometry problem for John Boag, Colonial Williamsburg wheelwright. September 3, 2007

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A Different Kind of Founder

Candlesticks, buckles, bells, and sword hilts are just a few objects that Colonial Williamsburg founder Doc Hassell is called to manufacture. August 20, 2007

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The Age of Wood

Making the job up as he goes along is one of Garland Wood's favorite aspects of his job as carpenter at Colonial Williamsburg. August 6, 2007

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The Art of the Cut

Translating a man's measurements into suits for all seasons is the task of the skillful tailor, says apprentice Neal Hurst. June 18, 2007

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Saddles, Harnesses, and Everything In Between

Colonial Williamsburg Journeyman saddle and harness maker Eric Myall says different saddles are tools for specific jobs. February 5, 2007

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Basketmaking: A Skill Learned With the Hands

Colonial Williamsburg basketmaker Richard Carr talks about the necessity of basketmaking in the 18th century, and why it has become a rare skill in modern times. November 20, 2006

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The Brick Kiln

This October, the brick kiln in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area will burn for five days and nights. October 9, 2006

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The Fashionable Wig

Colonial Williamsburg wigmaker Terry Lyons sees her share of bigwigs and blockheads in the King's Arms Barber Shop on Duke of Gloucester Street. September 25, 2006

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At the master's bench:teaching 18th-century technique and artistry

Mack Headley discusses why sometimes the old-fashioned way is the best way to create subtle and sophisticated furniture pieces. August 28, 2006

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A fourth-generation cabinetmaker

Mack Headley talks about the sophisticated artistry of 18th-century cabinetmaking. August 21, 2006

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Milliner and Mantua Maker

Janea Whitacre has been creating beautiful dresses in the Margaret Hunter Shop for 24 years. August 7, 2006

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The Art of Weaving

Max Hamrick is still learning after 40 years of weaving cloth just as it was done in the 18th century May 1, 2006

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Making Barrels

Ramona Vogel's love of woodworking led her to the Worshipful Company of Coopers. March 27, 2006

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Preserving Historic Trades

Jay Gaynor explains Colonial Williamsburg's rigorous trade apprentice program. February 20, 2006

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Brewing and baking and much, much more

Frank Clark and his Foodways staff interpret 18th-century food trades in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area. January 23, 2006

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Gunsmith

Master Gunsmith George Suiter talks about the art of making guns in the town of Williamsburg. January 16, 2006

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Shoemaker

The always wry Al Saguto discusses making 18th-century shoes in the shoemaker shop. January 2, 2006

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From ceviche to syllabub

Journeyman foodways tradesman Barbara Scherer discusses the elaborate serving and savoring of meals in 18th-century Williamsburg. December 12, 2005

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Printer

Don't tell journeyman printer Pete Stinely his work is tedious; he's been at it for 24 years! October 31, 2005

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Firing the brick kiln

Christine Trowbridge explains the laborious process of making bricks and the intangible rewards of the job. October 10, 2005

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Silversmith

Journeyman silversmith Preston Jones reflects on his 26 years of creating silver pieces. August 22, 2005

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Ken Schwarz on the life of a blacksmith

Noise, smoke, dirt - blacksmiths endure it all to turn raw materials into useful objects. August 8, 2005

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Coopering

Apprentice cooper Marshall Scheetz discusses the art and science of making barrels. July 18, 2005

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Games & Interactive
Midnight Messenger

Help Li Ming deliver the silver tea pot to the ship.

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Cooper-ation

Help Ben find the cooper's tools so he can complete a cask.

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Brickmaker Buildup

First place each important step in its correct order - then watch the fascinating art of brickmaking in action.

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Tool Trouble

The Blacksmith has misplaced his tools and needs your help to find them.

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