Aunt Mary
Albertype Co.
Postcards - Virginia - Williamsburg
Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Va.)
Block 20. Building 03J.
Kitchens - Virginia - Williamsburg
Recto and verso of postcard illustrated with a reproduction of a painting titled "Aunt Mary" by Eleanor R. Craighill. The African American costumed interpreter is seated on a chair in the Governor's Palace Kitchen at Colonial Williamsburg. This postcard is part of a series produced by The Albertype Co. of Brooklyn, New York, during the 1930s and is an example of a early efforts to promote the Governor's Palace after it opened as a exhibition building in April 1934.
According to the card's caption: "'Aunt Mary,' born a slave and one of the old cooks of Williamsburg, is now the custodian of the kitchen of the restored Governor's Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia."
Albertype Co.
ca.1935
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Image
AV-2007-01-01-R
Cooks on board USS United States
African American Photographers
United States (Steamship)
African American cooks
Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
Cooks on board the SS United States during her shakedown cruise in 1952.
Durant, Albert W.
1952
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Image
DUR-5207CN
Governor's Palace Kitchen
Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Va.)
Block 20. Building 03J.
Kitchens - Virginia - Williamsburg
Postcards - Virginia - Williamsburg
Recto and verso of official Colonial Williamsburg postcard illustrated with a color photo of a costumed African American interpreter shelling beans by the fire. Published by H.S. Crocker Co., Inc. for Colonial Williamsburg, the card is an example of a 1950s tourist souvenir.
According to the caption, "In this outbuilding of the home of the Royal Governor, food was cooked over an open fire, to be carried into the house by servants. The building was reconstructed with the Palace and is open to the public."
H.S. Crocker Co., Inc. for Colonial Williamsburg
ca. 1950s
jpeg
Image
AVPC-165
Governor's Palace Kitchen
Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Va.)
Block 20. Building 03J.
Kitchens - Virginia - Williamsburg
Overly, Charles H.
Recto and verso of postcard illustrated with a drawing by Charles H. Overly of the Governor's Palace Kitchen. The sketch depicts two costumed interpreters demonstrating colonial food preparation techniques by the large open fireplace. Overly carefully delineated many details of the kitchen furnishings and utensils, including a meat roaster, a butter churn, teapots, ladles, and toasting racks.
The caption reads: "In this outbuilding of the home of the Royal Governor food was cooked over an open fire, to be carried into the house by servants. The building was reconstructed with the Palace and is open to the public."
Charles H. Overly for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
ca. 1950s
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Image
AVPC-399
Governor's Palace Kitchen Interior
Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Va.)
Block 20. Building 03.
Historic buildings - Virginia - Williamsburg
Kitchens - Virginia - Williamsburg
Furniture - Virginia - Williamsburg
Architecture, Colonial - Virginia - Williamsburg
Interior view of the Governor’s Palace Kitchen, featuring a female costumed interpreter in the role of an enslaved cook or scullery maid, 1933. The Governor's Palace (and its outbuildings, like the Palace Kitchen) opened to the public in 1934. In addition to viewing the lavish public rooms and private quarters of Virginia's colonial governors, visitors could also learn about colonial domestic life and cooking techniques in the Palace Kitchen. Costumed interpreters added commentary and demonstrated food preparation.
Interior furnishings and decor reflect curators' views in the 1930s as to how Williamsburg's historic interiors may have looked in the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, with new research advancements over the years, the interior furnishings of the Governor’s Palace Kitchen have changed to reflect a more authentic and accurate view of the building’s likely contents and room arrangements.
Shaw, Thomas Mott
1933
This material is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). For reproduction queries: <a href="http://research.history.org/JDRLibrary/Visual_Resources/VisualResourcePermission.cfm">Rights and reproductions</a>
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Image
D2008-COPY-1014-1039
S.S. United States Cooks
United States (Steamship)
Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
Cooks - Virginia
Galleys (Ship kitchens)
Cooks making biscuits on board the S.S. United States during its shakedown cruise in 1952.
Durant, Albert W.
jpeg
Image
DUR-5886