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Current Exhibits at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum

A Child’s Eye View

A Child’s-Eye View features toys from three centuries. Throughout the years, toys have been made to represent the adult world in miniature. Dollhouses, trains, animals, vehicles, and playsets give children the opportunity to imagine and arrange their own version of the adult world. Visitors to the exhibition will see dollhouses that range from a four-room Philadelphia early nineteenth-century row house to a twelve foot long, multi-room house from around 1900. Also on view are selections from the toy train collection of the Carstens – a recent gift to the museum. Dolls, building blocks, animals and more round out the exhibition that is sure to delight visitors of all ages. Through January 3, 2010.

American Furniture: From Virginia to Vermont

This exhibition in the Elizabeth Ridgely and Miodrag Blagojevich Gallery highlights pieces from three regions: Eastern Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New England. While early furniture forms and styles from these areas were similar during the late 17th through the early 19th centuries, the interpretation and the popularity of designs varied due to differences in local economies, trade settlement patterns, and the religious and cultural backgrounds of the inhabitants. A section on painted furniture further demonstrates regional styles and decorative influences. Ongoing exhibit.

Artistry and Ingenuity

This exhibition looks at colonial kitchen equipment from an aesthetic and practical viewpoint, highlighting its beauty and utility. Ongoing exhibit.

Declarations of Independence

This exhibition features five copies of the famous document printed in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Printers competed to produce copies that would allow every household to own a copy of the Declaration. In 1823, an official version was created by William Stone and presented to the few remaining signers of the original Declaration as well as many government officials. Today, only about 30 of the original 200 copies survive. This exhibition was made possible by a gift from Valerie and Barry Boone and family. Learn more about the Declaration of Independence. Through December 2010.

Identifying Ceramics: The Who, What and Ware

This exhibition takes a closer look at the production and decoration of ceramic wares of the eighteenth century. Find out the difference between stoneware, earthenware and porcelain and discover how ornament was created or applied. Ongoing exhibit.

Lock, Stock, and Barrel

This exhibition is an outstanding display of military and civilian weapons exploring muzzle-loading firearms, ignition systems, and the evolution of the standing British infantry musket before 1800. Ongoing exhibit.

Masterworks

This exhibition features splendid examples of British and American antiques from 1660 to 1820, including a sterling silver chandelier made for King William III and Charles Willson Peale's portrait of George Washington as commander of the American forces during the Revolution. Ongoing exhibit.

Musical Instruments

An exhibition of two types of keyboard musical instruments. The 1762 harpsichord made by Jacob Kirckman of London makes its sound by plucking the strings. An 1806 grand piano by John Broadwood and Sons, also of London, sounds by means of hammers that strike the strings. These makers were the most celebrated in England and America when these two superlative instruments were made. Both instruments are in good playing order and are used for programs in the Hennage Auditorium. Ongoing exhibit.

Pottery With a Past: Stoneware in Early America

This exhibition presents ceramics made in England, Germany, and early America. A wide array of stoneware vessels for drinking, dining, and storage was available in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This exhibition features forms ranging from utilitarian jugs to decorative teapots used by Americans from the time of the first settlement to 1800. Through January 2, 2011.

Pounds, Pence and Pistareens: The Coins and Currency of Colonial America

Visitors can discover what sorts of money was in the pockets and wallets of our colonial ancestors in this exhibition. While most coins were foreign, images struck into them range from wild hogs to pine trees to elephants. Paper money was also used in the colonies and came in various shapes, denominations and colors. Along the way, visitors learn about cobs, pistareens, farthings, pieces of eight and gold doubloons. The exhibition highlights the generosity of Joseph R. and Ruth P. Lasser of New York, who have amassed a collection of several thousand pieces, most of which are now in the collections of Colonial Williamsburg, and seen here for the first time. Ongoing exhibit.

An online exhibit complements the museum installation.

Quilted Fashions

This exhibition explores the use of quilting to decorate bed coverings, clothing, and accessories of the 17th and 18th centuries. See detailed drawings of elaborate quilting patterns that often are obscured by the technique's subtlety. Stomachers and petticoats worn with costly gowns, men’s elaborate waistcoats, and counterpanes on the finest beds all are featured. This exhibition was made possible by a grant from Mary and Clinton Gilliland of Menlo Park, California through the Turner-Gilliland Family Fund. Through October 2010.

Revolution in Taste

This exhibition dazzles with rich and colorful choices in table and tea wares available to 18th-century British and American consumers. Expanding world trade and strengthening industry put a teapot on every table -- until tea became a symbol of protest in the American Revolution. Ongoing exhibit.

Selections from the Henry H. Weldon Collection

This exhibition in the Henry H. Weldon Gallery features a few select pieces from the collection of more than 725 pieces of 18th-century British pottery donated to Colonial Williamsburg by Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Weldon. Ongoing exhibit.

The Murray Sisters: A Closer Look

This exhibition reveals the steps taken to conserve this important late 18th-century double portrait of Maryland sisters Sally Scott and Anna Maria Murray. Before displaying the painting, it was thoroughly examined and treated by staff conservators so the painting now more accurately reflects how it looked when the French artist Bouché completed it more than 200 years ago. An online exhibit complements the museum installation. Through January 2010.

Treasure Quest: Great Silver Collections from Colonial Williamsburg

This exhibition in the Mary Jewett Gaiser Gallery displays selections from the Foundation’s vast collection of 18th-century British silver. The collection has grown through generous gifts from collectors of everything from lavish silver-plated dining wares to striking Scottish tea wares to exquisite nutmeg graters. Ongoing exhibit.