About

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

Join us Saturday, January 24, 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.

In connection with the Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown special exhibition, Jamestown Settlement presents a conversation with Feather Chen exploring 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 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: $20 for adults, $10 for youth ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under. Residents of York County, James City County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive complimentary admission with proof of residency.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Jamestown Settlement is located on 2110 Jamestown Road (State Route 31) southwest of Williamsburg. Learn more at jyfmuseums.org.