WILLIAMSBURG 一 A new book by local author Karla Bruno brings together the memories of 10 former Colonial Williamsburg employees, offering a collection of stories about their experiences working in costume at Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown.
Two years ago, Bruno was looking for a fun project when she began reflecting on her time at Colonial Williamsburg while she was in college. She initially considered writing a memoir about her experiences but soon realized she did not have enough stories to fill a book. So she reached out to friends who worked there around the same time and asked them to share their stories.
“I really wanted at least 10 chapters, and so I started asking for references, and I met five new friends who agreed to write a chapter on these things,” Bruno said. “All of us have been in costume either at Williamsburg or Jamestown.”
Six of the 10 contributors live in Williamsburg, one lives in Newport News and the others live out of state.
Most contributors wrote their own chapters, which Bruno then reviewed and discussed with them before editing to ensure the stories remained lighthearted.
“Every chapter has its own voice in particular, which I love,” said Bruno. “I love the fact that it doesn’t sound like one person had a hand in all of this.”
The book’s other contributing authors are Susan de la Cruz Adams, Anne Conkling, Rebecca Curtis Corson, Mike Duffy, Joyce Hedgepeth, Cheryl Hogue, B.J. Pryor, Judith Pysher and Rebecca Suerdieck.
A signing for “Mob Caps & Cocked Hats” will take place at the New Town Barnes & Noble on Saturday, Sept. 5 from noon to 4 p.m. The book can be purchased at the signing or on Amazon.
