By Robert Lee Robert Lee is an Assistant Professor of American History and Fellow of Selwyn College at the University of Cambridge and the author of “‘A Better View of the Country’: A Missouri Settlement Map” in Sources and Interpretations published in the January 2022 issue of the William and Mary Quarterly. A decade ago,… Read More »
By Joshua Piker, Editor It will likely come as no surprise to learn that I spend way too much time worrying about authorial voice. For an editor, that’s very on-brand. I only raise the issue because I’ve been worrying, in particular, about my authorial voice on this blog. I’ve got two go-to voices for blog… Read More »
by Charlie Kreh Charlie Kreh (W&M Class of 2021) is a History major. He plans to pursue a degree in law after he completes his BA. When I first learned of the Omohundro Institute (OI) and the accomplished scholars who work there, I knew I wanted to participate in any capacity I could. With the… Read More »
by Janine Yorimoto Boldt One painfully obvious fact as one scrolls through Colonial Virginia Portraits is that the faces are overwhelmingly white. Colonial Virginia Portraits includes more than 500 recorded portraits of which approximately 95 are documented but no longer extant. Only four of the total represent a non-white person. Three of these feature unnamed… Read More »
In this post, WMQ author Tamara Plakins Thornton recounts how she came to understand eighteenth-century globes and how that changed the way she needed them illustrated for her article in the April 2020 issue. Through September 30, you can read this article for free on the OI Reader. We will close the beta period of… Read More »
We remain committed to our central mission of supporting scholars and scholarship of early America. During the pandemic, we are pivoting to focus on and increase our digital offerings. Please stay in touch and let us know how we might serve you during this difficult time. —The Omohundro Institute
by Janine Yorimoto Boldt “My Will is that none of the Pictures of what Sort Soever be Removed out of my Dwelling Hall.” With those words, Henry Custis (ca. 1677-1733) of Northampton County, Virginia clearly stated his intention that the family portraits (and any other pictures) should remain with his house in perpetuity. Custis would… Read More »