THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502030120
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
MOSTLY DURING Black History Month we hear stories commemorating the lives of African-American entertainers, scientists, doctors, teachers and people who worked the Underground Railroad.
At Colonial Williamsburg, they're taking a typically 18th century approach. No, the focus is not on the slave population. Rather, it's on the fact that there were black silversmiths, printers and coopers in the 1700s, and their legacy continues today in the restored Colonial Virginia capital.
Silversmith Preston Jones Jr. remembers his introduction to the trade.
``Master silversmith Jimmy Curtis, who is also black, said that one day I would be making silver cups, spoons and tea kettles,'' Jones recalls. ``I said, `Yeah, right.' ''
Although there is no documentation of 18th century black silversmiths in Williamsburg, they did exist in Petersburg and Charleston, S.C., according to Jones.
Master printer Willie Parker has worked in the print shop at Colonial Williamsburg nearly a quarter of a century. Although there are no known black master printers in 18th century Virginia, slaves did work in shops as pressmen.
``The fact that the slave Caesar was sold with a shop leads us to believe he was performing printer duties,'' says Parker. ``J. Alexander Purdy of the Virginia Gazette had a black pressman named Jordan. It was not uncommon to find blacks in the shops.''
Felix Simmons left a high-pay, high-stress manager's job in the airline industry to become a cooper - a maker of wooden barrels, buckets, tubs, churns - at Colonial Williamsburg.
``I was already interested in the cooper's trade, but when I found out about Adam Waterford I was even more excited about learning the skill,'' Simmons says.
``Waterford was a free black man and the only cooper in Williamsburg in 1770. When someone needed a container or bucket, they had to come to him. This fact impressed me so much because in school I constantly heard of slaves, but never about free blacks in this area.''
For more info on Colonial Williamsburg: (800) HISTORY . . . that's 447-8679. BABE AND BABES
Monday is Babe Ruth's 100th birthday. The baseball museum at his Baltimore birthplace, 216 Emory St. near Oriole Park at Camden Yards, has a number of centennial activities planned, including the opening of an exhibit of 40 paintings, sculptures and photos of the Babe. Museum info: (410) 727-1539.
Sort of in conjunction with that, there's a new play opening at the Playwrights Theater of Baltimore that tells why women aren't allowed to play pro baseball.
``Boys and Girls Together'' recounts the adventures of female pitcher Jackie Mitchell. In a 1931 exhibition game, she struck out both the Babe and Lou Gehrig, back-to-back. Very next day, Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis, the commissioner, did the only thing a guy could do: He banned women from playing pro baseball. Embarrassing, you know. The play runs through March 25; tickets, $12 to $14. Play info: (410) 727-1847. SUITE DREAM
Valentine's Day. . . tax time. Looking for a way to celebrate. . . a way to escape? The Waldorf Towers, an exclusive ``boutique'' hotel occupying the 28th through 42nd floors of the Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan, has the answer . . . if you have the money.
The ``tax break'' is a two-night stay in one of its presidential-style suites (where at least one world leader has rested his or her head) along with brunch for two on Sunday. The $1,040 package is good for weekends through 1995, but must be booked by midnight April 15.
The ``Ultimate Package'' for Valentine's Day is, well, something else. Included is stretch limo ride from airport to hotel; four-bedroom, flower-filled suite; the keys to a new, red (of course) Mercedes SL500 (retail value $92,000); and a private, escorted $10,000 shopping spree at Saks Fifth Avenue; dinner for two and tickets to a Broadway show of choice; private helicopter tour of Manhattan; and some other stuff - all for an even $100,000. It's valid only Feb. 14, and you'll also be responsible for taxes and shipping costs for the Mercedes.
Info or reservations: A local travel agent or (800) WALDORF . . . that's 925-3673. THE READERS ALWAYS WRITE
If you'd like to share a travel experience, drop us a line. Please try to be brief. Frances Clark of Virginia Beach writes about taking a day trip on Amtrak from Newport News to Union Station in Washington, D.C.:
``More people ought to know what fun it is. Everyone at Amtrak from the folks with whom one makes the initial reservations to the people at the station in Newport News to the conductor on the train is wonderful. Friendly, courteous and helpful are the hallmarks of Amtrak employees.
``The train ride is beautiful through some parts of the Tidewater that one might not see otherwise. Union Station is marvelous - great shops and restaurants - and there are many things to see and do nearby either on foot or via the Metro. There are about five hours between the time the train arrives from Newport News and leaves for the return trip. The possibilities are extensive.'' MEMO: Travel-wise is compiled from wire-service reports, news releases, trade
journals, books, magazines and the deepest recesses of the writer's
mind. Send comments and questions to Travel-wise, The
Virginian-Pilot/The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, Va. 23501-0449; phone (804)
446-2904. by CNB