^{Feather Chen}

In connection with the Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown special exhibition, Jamestown Settlement is hosting traditional Chinese tea ceremonies and a discussion of teas and their history in China.

With roots in Yunnan, based in Charlottesville, Feather Chen shares the pleasures of Chinese teas through curating engaging tea experiences. A former host at Yunnan Provincial TV and a certified Chinese tea evaluator and artist, she will lead attendees through a detailed discussion of Chinese teas and tea ceremonies.

This tea experience will blend enjoyment, learning and memorable interactions.

Tragedy and Romance: Tasting the Ming Dynasty • February 7 • 4 p.m. • Jamestown Settlement 

Join us Saturday, February 7, at Jamestown Settlement's Robins Foundation Theater for a unique opportunity to hear from a master of the Chinese tea arts. Feather Chen's expertise includes tea etiquette, brewing techniques and cultural insights. Learn more about this timeless beverage and its connections between cultures.

This illustrated talk explores the spirit of the Ming dynasty through the lens of tea in daily life. By tracing how tea drinking evolved during this period, the talk reveals how changes in politics, aesthetics and philosophy shaped the way people lived, gathered and found meaning in everyday rituals.

The tea talk is included with museum admission.

Include the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown in your visit with the value-priced combination ticket.

Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency. For more information, call (757) 253-4838.

Chinese Seal Printing Workshop

February 14 • 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 • Jamestown Settlement

Join Mary Swezey for a Chinese Seal printing workshop to create your very own set of Chinese seal cards to frame or send. Following a brief discussion about the significance of the Chinese seal (or chop), participants will translate their names into Chinese characters on paper. The characters will be transferred to soft printmaking blocks (Safety-Kut) and cut out using carving tools. The carved blocks will then be inked and printed on blank greeting cards. This free workshop lasts about five hours, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., with a break for lunch, and is appropriate for ages 13+. Attendance is limited to 15 participants.

Traditional Chinese tea ceremony

February 7 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Jamestown Settlement

Enjoy an exclusive glimpse into the world of Chinese teas and the art of serving tea as practiced in a traditional tea ceremony with its roots in ancient Chinese culture.

Join us for a delightful winter tea experience inspired by Ming dynasty traditions and savor the rich, warming flavors of aged Pu’er tea. Experience the simplicity and comfort of steeping tea in winter, offering a cozy moment of cultural connection.

The Chinese tea ceremonies are sold out.

Seats are still available for the Tea Talk with tea expert, Feather Chen, at 4 p.m., February 7 at Jamestown Settlement. The Tea Talk is free with museum admission.

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Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown

In partnership with the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation, Jamestown Settlement presents a new special exhibition spanning continents and empires. "Following the Dragon" explores Chinese Ming porcelain uncovered archaeologically at James Fort that reveals unexpected cultural connections linking colonial Virginia with imperial China.

Explore how unearthed artifacts connect two distant worlds, revealing surprising facts about the Jamestown colony’s early years.

These porcelain sherds witnessed the start of English America.

"Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown" is included with general admission to Jamestown Settlement.

About Jamestown Settlement

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days), Jamestown Settlement is located on State Route 31 just southwest of Williamsburg. The museum features expansive exhibition galleries and films that connect visitors with the lives of the Powhatan, English and West Central African cultures that converged at 17th-century Jamestown. Outdoor living-history areas feature historical interpretation in re-creations of Paspahegh Town, 1607 English ships and a colonial fort.

Admission tickets can be purchased online or in person.