WILLIAMSBURG— Award-winning historian and historic perfumer Rebecca Suerdieck is offering a rare, in-person perfume-making workshop series in Williamsburg.
By popular request, this limited engagement invites participants to step into the fragrant world of the 18th-century and create their own custom scent using traditional methods.
With more than 15 years of experience, Suerdieck is known for her immersive demonstrations at historic sites, where she brings early American domestic life vividly to life. Now, for the first time in this format, she is partnering with Paint on Pottery on High Street to host a hands-on workshop series designed especially for beginners.
Four classes are scheduled, with the first taking place just days before Mother’s Day, making it an ideal gift or shared experience. Each session begins with a guided exploration of perfume history, focusing on the botanical traditions and techniques used in 18th-century Virginia. Participants will then move into a curated scent sampling, exploring a range of botanical oils and blends crafted by Suerdieck.
The experience culminates in a personalized blending session, where attendees create and bottle their own custom fragrance to take home. The workshop is designed to be approachable and enjoyable for all levels, requiring no prior experience. The first class will be in May, with classes repeating throughout the summer.
“This is an opportunity to experience history through the senses,” says Suerdieck. “Perfume was both an art and a daily ritual in early Virginia, and I’m delighted to share these traditions in a way that allows participants to create something meaningful and lasting.”
The upcoming workshops will be held at Paint on Pottery on High Street on May 8, June 5, July 17, and August 14.
Tickets for the workshops are available through her perfumery website and on Eventbrite. Space is limited for each session.