Living in the Past: Meet the People Who Are Keeping History Alive in Williamsburg

His primary job involves demonstrating 18th-century silversmithing and interpreting the craft to guests, along with educating people about 18th-century history. But Jones also serves as supervisor of 18th-century lighting for evening programing and works with the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums.

“The best part is letting guests know about my job and the role that all people had in forming our nation,” explains Jones. “My motivation is when I share a historic fact or explain something, and people have that ‘aha’ look, and the light comes on inside their heads and they get it. That’s a great feeling!”

Master Wigmaker — Debra Turpin, 47

Step into the hair-raising world of the country’s only historical wig shop, where 47-year-old Debra Turpin brings history alive as the Master Wigmaker. Tapping into 22 years of on-the-job experience at the foundation, Turpin oversees a collection of 1,200 wigs and hairpieces that grace the heads of 150 staff members and enhance the displays within historic buildings and museums.  

During her seven-year apprentice program, Turpin learned the art of 18th-century wig making, hairdressing and barbering to create and maintain wigs. She also discovered that George Washington did not wear wigs: a bit of trivia she likes to share with guests. Turpin dispels the misconception that most 18th-century people donned wigs as a cover-up for poor hygiene or baldness. Rather, wigs served as fashionable accessories — especially among men — for people of all socio-economic levels.  

“The best part of my job is knowing that I help to complete ‘the look’ for our nation builders, dancers, actors and evening performers,” Turpin says. “Making the connections between ‘this is why they were worn 250 years ago’ to ‘this is still going on today’ is important to my interpretation each day.” 

Food and Beverage — Executive Director Travis Brust, 41

Working at Colonial Williamsburg for 18 years, Travis Brust loves feeding guests who are passionate about American history while balancing historical accuracy with modern trends.

“Coming to Colonial Williamsburg was a defining moment in my life and opened my eyes to a sector of food history that I’ve grown addicted to,” Brust says.

Brust started out at age 14 working in family restaurants. He moved on to an American Culinary Federation apprenticeship in New Hampshire before working as a chef-in-training with Chef Hans Schadler at the Williamsburg Inn. Now the executive director of food and beverage for Colonial Williamsburg’s hospitality division, Brust loves rising to the challenges of historic dining.

“A unique challenge is the palate of the dining guests, which has changed significantly from the colonial period to present day,” Brust notes. “Finding that happy, experimental middle of the road is important to ensure the flavors will be enjoyable, the story will be entertaining and the guest leaves fulfilled and happy.”

Historic Trades and Skills — Director Ted Boscana, 49

Colonial Williamsburg is the only place that Ted Boscana has ever worked. Thirty-four years in, he currently oversees the Historic Trades and Skills Department, comprised of nearly 90 artisans and skilled workers representing 26 unique 18th-century trades, ranging from blacksmithing and printmaking to woodworking and weaving.

“For me, our work matters because we’re directly connecting guests to their past through the shared experience of work,” he says. “There’s something powerful about making things with your hands that continues to fascinate and inspire people.”

Before becoming director, Boscana was the first Master Joiner at Colonial Williamsburg focusing on 18th-century architectural woodwork. He served a six-year apprenticeship and worked as a journeyman for almost 15 years before becoming master. Boscana learned the hand skills and history at the foundation and went back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and a master’s in nonprofit studies from the University of Richmond. Now, as a leader, he gets to help others grow while also showcasing the past.

Colonial Williamsburg Innovation Studios — Founding Director Liz Covart, 42

As a self-professed “American Revolution nerd,” Liz Covart worked with National Park Service and museum visitors for more than two decades. In January 2023, she became the founding director of Colonial Williamsburg Innovation Studios. Now, she’s building a new department that focuses on two lofty goals.

First, it will produce digital content like videos, podcasts and web media to help in-person visitors take their on-site visits deeper. Covart will tap into the media skills honed through the award-winning podcast Ben Franklin’s World, which she launched in October 2014. There, she interviews scholars to bring well-researched history to listeners wanting to know more about early America. Now a production of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the podcast boasts more than 360 episodes.

Second, the department aims to build the world’s largest virtual museum about early American history, making Colonial Williamsburg accessible to everyone. Covart says it will expand beyond Virginia to explore nearly 400 years of history (1450-1830), the contributions from five different continents on early American culture and society, and the great diversity of peoples who lived in early North America.

Share Your Experience: What lost skill do you wish you knew? Tell us which and why in the comments below.