THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610040046
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 97 lines
OVER THE NEXT few weeks, magazines featuring recipes and photographs of delectable Christmas goodies will tempt your palate and test your skills.
Among holiday favorites are frosted gingerbread houses, yule logs covered with swirls of chocolate frosting and marzipan, a confection of ground almonds, sugar, and egg white made into a paste, colored and molded into shapes.
Now, under the guidance of Colonial Williamsburg's world-renowned pastry chefs, students have the opportunity to learn the history of gingerbread as they construct and decorate holiday gingerbread houses. The house, recipes, patterns and instructions will be available to take home for a cost of $25.
The Williamsburg Institute, featuring a series of 27, daily on-going classes, was recently introduced by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Six of the classes focus on culinary arts and 18th century cooking, the remainder covering everything from gardening and flower-arranging to silver production, woodworking, animal husbandry, basket construction and decorative carving.
From now until the end of the year, the classes are primarily being advertised locally and introductory prices are being offered to Hampton Roads residents, said institute director Vernell Sutherland.
Beginning Jan. 1, the institute will promote package prices that include hotels or hotels and meals, similar to the concept the Disney uses to attract visitors to come spend a few days or weeks in Florida taking its various classes.
``Participants will be able to take one or more classes,'' Sutherland said. ``There are so many different things going on that you could stay for a couple of weeks and still do something different every day.''
For years, visitors from all over the world have strolled the streets of Colonial Williamsburg and observed people engaged in 18th century trades such as harness-making, wig-making, coopering and leather work.
The Williamsburg Institute, started by Robert C. Wilburn, the chief executive officer of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, enables visitors to try their hands at a facet of an 18th century trade or skill, focusing on it for several hours or a day or two.
``We will offer programs to allow a more intimate and often hands-on experience with activities that Colonial Williamsburg is famous for,'' Sutherland said. ``Tours limited to small groups will provide an opportunity to interact with the Williamsburg expert and with others in the group.''
Many visitors are attracted to the Williamsburg-style holiday decorations, the wreaths and garlands of fresh greens, fruits and other natural materials that adorn the buildings of the historic district during the Christmas season. Now Williamsburg's floral designers will share their secrets through several classes specializing in interior and exterior arrangements.
Some of the other offerings include:
Silver production classes explore how technology has and has not changed in the past two centuries. ``Students study basic techniques, such as casting, stamping, hammering, spinning, soldering and finishing using the 18th century method,'' said Lorraine Brooks, a public relations manager of the foundation.
``Designing Colonial Revival Gardens'' provides instructions on creating a colonial garden scaled for modern living. Topics will include garden layout, period plant material and selection of appropriate paving materials, fences and garden ornaments. Each person will receive a comprehensive workbook with sources for reproductions of fences, benches and light fixtures.
The Coach and Livestock Department will offer ``The Art of Husbandry,'' which explores the story of Colonial Williamsburg's efforts to reintroduce rare 18th century animal breeds into the historic area. ``Participants will accompany husbanders as they feed and tend cows, chickens and sheep,'' Brooks said.
``Working With Oxen,'' a two-day, hands-on workshop, is limited to two students who will ``haw and gee'' their way to the past as they learn the art of working with oxen.
Seamstresses may expand their sewing expertise by attending a hands-on workshop to explore a variety of stitches practiced in the colonies. Participants will assemble a reference book of construction samples including multiple seam types and finishing techniques, buttonholes and covered buttons. Basic sewing skills are required.
A beginners' workshop will introduce a variety of decorative fringes used to enhance apparel during the colonial period. Using materials provided, students will learn to make two types of fringe.
``Whole Hog Barbecue'' teaches how to turn a hog into ham using traditional methods and materials.
Five workshops focus on archaeology and the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. They combine a lecture and tour of the archaeology lab and artifact collections.
``So far, we have had only limited exposure and already have experienced a large number of phone calls and inquiries,'' Sutherland said. ``The response has been overwhelming.''
Class sizes vary, but Sutherland recommends reservations be made well in advance.
Many of the 1 1/2- or 2-hour classes cost $25 to $50 and often include materials. For information or to register, call (757) 565-8631 or (800) 603-0948.
In addition to the institute's classes, Colonial Williamsburg will continue its special annual programs such as the antiques forum, history forum and garden symposium, Sutherland said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
The Williamsburg Institute offers a variety of daily classes in 18th
century skills and trades, such as silver production, above. by CNB