Monterey Hills Elementary Colonial Ball | Students Relive 18th Century America

 

As part of studying society and customs of the day, 5^th grade students held a Colonial Ball in full regalia Monday night to the delight of honored guests.

They danced like those living in the 18^th century during American Revolutionary War times while enjoying the lively music.

Appreciating it all were parents, grandparents and friends, applauding the swift movement and elegance of it all, as young ladies were accompanied by a chaperone, or male companion.

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During the Colonial Ball performance, students cited primary sources and documentary evidence, including as Lord Chesterfield’s “Letters to his Son” and John Playford’s  “The English Dancing Master.”

A history of how fans were used to communicate was demonstrated as well as how to pay courtesies and respect.

Students performed three dances-“The Hole in the Wall,” “Gathering Peascods,” and “Hunt the Squirrel.”

The 5^th graders explained that Virginians simply loved to dance. In places like Williamsburg, balls were held in honor of kings and queens’ birthdays, weddings, during the 12 nights of Christmas and later to commemorate George Washington’s birthday and to celebrate battles won during the American Revolutionary War.

Colonial Balls often took place at the Governor’s palace, or in a local tavern. Smaller balls were often held at plantation homes where furniture would be removed from the front rooms to make way for the dancing. 

 Alisa Hayashida contributed to this story.