FALL 2015 DISPATCH Newsletter of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an Educational Institution of the Commonwealth of Virginia
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FALL 2015 DISPATCH Newsletter of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an educational institution of the Commonwealth of Virginia American Revolution Museum at Yorktown Three-Month ‘Botanical Galleries and Film Previewed in New Virginia’ Exhibit Exhibit at Yorktown Victory Center Opens December 5 A new exhibit at the The artifact exhibit at Jamestown Settlement Yorktown Victory Center includes portraits of The beauty and variety of Virginia plant provides a multimedia, American Loyalist life is showcased in a three-month exhibit interactive encounter with and noted scientist opening December 5 at Jamestown Settlement. the permanent exhibition Benjamin Thompson “Clayton & Catesby: Botanical Virginia” ex- galleries and introductory and British Admiral plores documentation of native plants by natu- film that will premiere Richard Howe, a paint- ralist Mark Catesby and botanist John Clayton in conjunction with the ing of the 1782 naval in the 18th century and the Flora of Virginia museum’s transition to Battle of the Saintes, Project in the 21st century. American Revolution British and American On loan from the Garden Club of Virginia, Museum at Yorktown in swords and firearms, 17 period hand-colored engravings created from late 2016. objects bearing slogans A selection of 18th-century artifacts that will be Catesby’s watercolor paintings of American The future galleries and symbols of the exhibited in the American Revolution Museum flora and are under construction at Yorktown galleries is on exhibit in “Creating Revolutionary era, and fauna, will Our New Museum.” in a 22,000-square- American-made furni- be exhibited foot space within an ture and silver objects. alongside a 80,000-square-foot building that opened in “Creating Our New Museum” also 1762 edition March, representing a midpoint milestone in engages visitors in the making of Liberty of Flora Vir- the transformation of the Yorktown Victory Fever, the introductory film to be shown in ginica, based Center into American Revolution Museum at the 170-seat museum theater, with interactive on Clayton’s Yorktown. experiences including posing behind a screen work. The In “Creating Our New Museum,” two to create a sil- exhibit, dozen objects selected from the hundreds of houette to be which is 18th-century artifacts to be exhibited in the photographed curated by new galler- by family the Flora ies are on and friends, of Virginia display near and taking Project, also a video pre- the stage to will include view of fu- act the part Great Laurel, Mark Catesby, 18th tools used century, hand-colored engraving. ture gallery of one of the for studying Courtesy of the Garden Club of short films characters in and collect- Virginia. about the the film. (See ing plants, changing page 2 for biographies of Catesby and Clayton, and a short relationship more about film on the Flora of Virginia Project. between Liberty Fever.) Visitors can pose for and The stage used in the filming of Seven public programs related to the “Bo- photograph a silhouette. American Liberty Fever (see page 2) provides Until the tanical Virginia” theme will be presented during colonists a setting for visitors to try on ac- premiere of the period of the exhibit, December 5, 2015, tors’ costumes and handle props. and Britain, Liberty Fever in 2016, three films that drama- to February 28, 2016: lectures at 4:30 p.m. commu- tize the final military campaign of the Revolu- December 10, January 5 and 19, and February nication in 18th-century America, two key tion and explore the American ideal of liberty 2; and morning workshops on January 14 and victories in the Revolutionary War – the 1777 are shown in rotation in the museum theater. 28 and February 25. Battle of Saratoga and the 1781 Siege of York- “Creating Our New Museum” is located During seven years in Virginia, from 1712 town – and the development of the United in space that will become the American Revo- to 1719, Englishman Mark Catesby collected States Constitution in the 1780s. lution Museum at Yorktown’s special exhibi- n plants from the region of the lower James River tion gallery. to the river’s headwaters in the Appalachian (continued on page 4) 1 Building a Revolutionary Experience New Introductory Film Aims to Spread ‘Liberty Fever’ By Heather Hower Project Manager, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown Media The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation began work last year Production work for Liberty Fever is finished, and editing is well with Cortina Productions to produce a new introductory film for the underway. The film will debut simultaneously with the gallery opening American Revolution Museum at in late 2016. When it opens, Yorktown. Cortina Productions Liberty Fever will show in the has extensive experience with 170-seat theater just off of the large museum projects and works main lobby. Production of with a prestigious list of clients the film was made possible by worldwide. The Foundation also is private donations raised through working with Cortina to produce the American Revolution Mu- media experiences for the exhibi- seum at Yorktown Campaign tion galleries at the new museum. for Support. The new introductory film, Visitors interested in Liberty Fever, will be narrated knowing more about this film by an early 19th-century story- can participate in theatrical teller who has traveled the country role play with the stage set used gathering stories about the Ameri- in production and watch the can Revolution. He shares these “Making of Liberty Fever” video accounts with his audience using currently featured in the “Creat- a moving panorama, or “crankie,” ing Our New Museum” exhibit presentation of the time period. at the Yorktown Victory Center. n This late-18th/early 19th-century In Liberty Fever, an early 19th-century storyteller who has traveled the country (See story on page 1.) gathering stories about the American Revolution shares these accounts with form of mass media was popular his audience using a moving panorama, or “crankie,” presentation of the time with people of all ages. It involved period. a long roll of paper on which dramatic backlit silhouettes scrolled in front of the audience. Some panoramas were huge and were shown in theaters and exhibition halls, while others were much smaller and portable to travel throughout the countryside. Billy Flora, a hero of the 1775 Battle of Great Bridge in In Liberty Fever, Virginia, is depicted in Liberty Fever. stationary silhou- ettes and moving shadow puppets scrolling by on a large “crankie” are The crew plans a scene with North Carolinian Isabella Ferguson and her dog Trip, who “is a rebel too!” interwoven with live-action film segments featuring the stories of five people who lived during the American Revolution: George Hewes, Billy Flora, Isabella Ferguson, John Howland and Peter Harris. Through these personal accounts, viewers watch the spread of “liberty fever” unfold before them. The film was produced to evoke emotional connections with the story and characters so that modern-day viewers reflect on what the American Revolution means to their lives today. From change and choices, to battle and legacy, themes presented in the film are designed to reflect key messages in the new galleries. Liberty Fever will inspire visitors to continue linking to the people, places and events of the American Revolution as they experience the galleries and living-history areas during their visit. The 1777 Battle of Princeton, where John Howland fought with Washing- ton’s troops, was re-created for Liberty Fever. 2 Kathy Spangler Named Director of 2019 Commemoration Kathy J. Spangler of Kilmarnock, a tenure, from 1987 Illustrated’s 50th Anniversary Sportstown nationally recognized leader with more than to 2007, at the Celebration, a yearlong recognition of the 35 years of experience in public and non-profit National Recre- Sportstown in each state, and was co-creator management, most recently as vice president ation and Park of First Night New Hampshire, the fourth of Save the Children in Washington, D.C., Association. She First Night nationwide and the first statewide has been named director of the 2019 Com- worked as a rec- celebration. memoration marking the 400th anniversary of reation supervisor “Ms. Spangler’s experience will be invalu- four landmark events in Virginia history. In and coordinator in able as we look to engage key organizations the new position, she will serve as principal New Hampshire and build public-private partnerships to ensure liaison to the 2019 Commemoration Steering from 1979 to a successful commemoration that reaches a Committee. 1987. broad national audience,” 2019 Commemo- As vice president of Save the Children Ms. Spangler ration Steering Committee Co-Chair M. from 2010 to 2015, Ms. Spangler led the earned a bachelor’s degree from the University Kirkland Cox said on behalf of the commit- organization’s U.S. Programs, including Head of Maine and achieved the Certified Associa- tee’s leadership. “She will work closely with Start. She served in several executive roles tion Executive credential. She has received historical, educational and tourism organiza- from 2007 to 2010 at America’s Promise Alli- numerous awards, including an honorary tions and individuals to maximize opportuni- ance, where she oversaw the 100 Best Com- doctoral degree in 2003 from the University of ties related to the commemorative period.” munities for Young People national recognition Maine, and has extensive experience in event Ms. Spangler’s office is located at James- and conference planning and presentation. town Settlement. For more about the 2019 program. Four years as founding director of n National Partnerships capped her 20-year She created and led the execution of Sports Commemoration, see page 7. James City County Grant Supports Special Exhibition, Holiday Programs at Jamestown Settlement A $100,000 grant from the James City Colonial Virginia” November 26-28, 2015, County Board of Supervisors supports a and “A Colonial Christmas” December 1 trade-themed special exhibition and holiday through January 3, 2016.