Events at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg including live theatre in the Hennage Auditorium
Colonial Williamsburg has amazing programming at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg & Hennage Auditorium (located on the lower floor of the Museum). Here are the ones for May 2023 and beyond. Most of these programs are included in admission Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg, your day pass or your annual membership or Good Neighbor Pass but a few may require a separate ticket in addition to your museum admission or Good Neighbor Pass and one requires a free reservation. Each event below indicates tickets needed.
Live Performances in Hennage Auditorium
Some events are included in museum admission and some have a separate ticket. Both are indicated below in the event description
Good Stories about Great Stuff – Fridays at 10:30 am – 11:15 am through Oct 20, 2023 (and again on Nov 3 and 17)
Every object in our collection has an interesting back story. Discover who created the object, who owned it, and how it ended up in our collection. A curator, educator, or conservator will examine an object each week. (45 minutes) Included in admission Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg, your day pass or your annual membership or Good Neighbor Pass. MORE INFO
Music: Early American (60 minutes) – Tuesdays at 4:30 pm in August –see full schedule here Explore the influence and enjoy the music that has come from nearby and distant shores to shape the music of Early America.
- Dulcimers and Folk Flutes – September 5 and November 14 – Join Timothy Seaman for a demonstration and performance on hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, autoharp, psaltery, zither, bamboo flute, pennywhistle.
- America’s Music – September 12, November 7, and November 21 – Join Brian Forsman and Bill Weldon for a musical journey from Early America through the Civil War , to contemporary Americana.
- The King’s Delight – September 19 – Join Barry and Lynn Trott for an afternoon of songs featuring the kings and queens of Great Britain, good and bad, from the 16th through the 18th century.
- Music of the Common Man (and Woman) – September 26 and October 10 – Join Kelly Kennedy as she sings early American songs known to the housewife, the plowman, the yeoman and the tradesman, with roots in Ireland and the British Isles to new life in the colonies.
- Things that Go Bump in the Night – October 31 – Join Lynn and Barry Trott for a spooky Halloween concert of songs and tales about ghosts, hauntings, and other uncanny happenings from the time of Jamestown to the 20th century.
Performance: Forgotten Hero: General Rochambeau – Friday Sept 25 at 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm – The Treaty of Alliance of February 1778 between France and the young United States changed the nature of the American Revolution. Under King Louis XVI, France sent an army and navy under the command of General Rochambeau to assist this fledgling nation. Rochambeau’s experience in war and his united effort with George Washington would bring ultimate victory at Yorktown in October of 1781. In this program, you will meet General Rochambeau and learn about his past experiences, the French contributions to the war, and how this alliance would bring success to Yorktown.
*Schedule may vary. Performances are 45 minutes. Included in admission Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg, your day pass or your annual membership or Good Neighbor Pass. More info
Music: Governor’s Musick at the Art Museums (45 minutes) – 4:30 – 5:15 pm Thursday and Friday thru, 2023 see schedule here Members of the Governor’s Musick ensemble have a number of presentations on various topics, ranging from the role of the viola da gamba in 18th-century Virginia to the Bird Fancyer’s Delight and more. Utilizing the multimedia capabilities of the space, these seasoned musicians will dive into specific topics with informative and engaging talks and musical examples. Guests will have an opportunity to ask questions at the end.
Included in admission Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg, your day pass or your annual membership or Good Neighbor Pass. MORE INFO
Presentation: Excavation to Programming – Thursdays, Sept 7 – 21 and Nov 2 – 16 at 4:30 – 5:15 pm
Join a Nation Builder and a Colonial Williamsburg Archaeologist as they discuss their historic figure’s perspective on Williamsburg and the most recent archeological findings. (45 minutes)
Included in admission Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg, your day pass or your annual membership or Good Neighbor Pass. MORE INFO
The Public Hospital of 1773 – Wednesdays Sept 14 & 21 from 2 pm – 3:30 pm (30 min tours)
Visit the Public Hospital of 1773 for a discussion about 18th-century mental health and the history of the reconstructed mental hospital. Access through the Art Museums. (30 minutes)
In the Art Museum Galleries
Eddie Arning: Artist – New Exhibition at the Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg – The bold and colorful art of Eddie Arning immediately captures one’s attention. The artist’s drawings in wax crayon and/or oil pastels feature birds, animals, and scenes from everyday life. While Arning’s early images were taken from memory, he was later inspired by illustrations from popular magazines. The exhibition, featuring a few of his pieces, will explore his life and sources of inspiration for his art. Learn more
DIY Craft: Quilting – Thursdays Sept 7, 14, 21 at 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 am. Then on Thursdays Sept 7, 14 and 21. Discover the story of Arlonzia Pettway, quilter, and enjoy a mini quilting project. Separate Ticket Required. Supplies included. Limit of 12 participants. $5 fee plus admission or a Good Neighbor Pass. More Info
Tour: Black Artists and Artisans – Tuesdays thru – Nov 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. – Tour the museum galleries to explore decorative arts and folk art made by Black American artists and artisans. (30 minutes) Free reservation required. Art Museum admission, Good Neighbor Pass or Annual Membership for admission. INFO
TOURS Included in museum admission.
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. through March 11.
Every day beginning March 12. – Join us on a 20-minute guided tour and enjoy some Museum favorites at a glance. (20 minutes)
The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg have daily live theatre, art projects for kids, and so much more. Your Good Neighbors Pass, Annual Membership, day pass or museum ticket will get you into the Art Museums and The Hennage Auditorium located inside the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. If an extra fee is needed it will be mentioned below or at the link on each event. Most programming is included with your Pass or day ticket. Programming is wonderful as is the newly renovated Museum.
Hennage Auditorium
301 S Nassau St
Williamsburg, VA 23185
Programs are subject to change. You can find the latest information at colonialwilliamsburg.org.
Love CW programs but always find it a nuisance to see what’s on when and where— wish I could just get a daily calendar of what is where, when….
and a daily list of Hennage events.thank you!!!!!
And beautiful big trees replanted at p 6? The lot where the wonderful huge trees have just been knocked down! And, my friends and I have no idea how to use the lot behind the book store— so— we don’t. Nor do we know what to do at the Garage. LOVE the ice rink and hot chocolate hut!!!! Love CW!
Hi Nanci
We have the Hennage programs listed on our Daily Calendar. Also Colonial Williamsburg now has each program listed if you visit their calendar page. Usually because of the time of day that the Hennage Programs run they are usually listed at the bottom of the days events.
Here is our Calendar
Here is CW Calendar
Also there is free parking in the lot across from the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg – best place to park when visiting the historic area. There is a detour to enter but just follow the signs then you can walk right in to the Museums.