| Join us on Thursday, July 22, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for Historic Christ Church's annual "Hands-On History Day." Learn about the history of Christ Church and life in colonial Virginia by participating in a variety of exciting hands-on activities and lessons. |
| Do you ever wonder how they constructed such magnificent buildings like Christ Church in colonial days? Well, at "Hands-On History Day," we will explore the different technologies colonial craftsmen used to build Christ Church, particularly brickmaking. After closely examining the church's walls, we will use molds and clay to make our own bricks, just like Robert Carter's brickmaker, James Bryan, did in the kilns he set up here in 1724-1726. We will also use modern bricks to construct walls like those in the church and arches used in brick kilns. |
| If you think archaeology is something you might "dig," we will teach you all about it. We will begin by talking about the science of archaeology and how archaeologists explore a site to learn about colonial Virginia. Next, in a tour of the museum, we will see what types of artficats archaeologists uncovered when they excavated Robert Carter's home, Corotoman, which burned in 1729. Finally, and best of all, we will let you try your hand excavating a model archaeological site! It is filled with a variety of objects common in colonial Virginia, and we will discover what these artifacts might tell us about life in the colony during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. |
Excavating a model archaeological site is one of the many fun activities at "Hands-On History Day." |
| Several other exciting activities round out "Hands-On History Day." In a tour of the church and churchyard, we will make grave rubbings to see what we can learn from the historic tombstones at Christ Church. We will also try on some of the clothing and play some of the games children had in colonial Virginia. At the end of the day, Christ Church will sponsor a pizza party for all participants. What a great way to end "Hands-On History Day!" Each child will also receive a souvenir pencil and bookmark from Christ Church. |
