JUNE 2011
For the local community and visitors to Williamsburg, Virginia
A head for fashion Visiting Colonial Williamsburg’s Wig Maker Shop By Bob Ruegsegger hen it came to Colonial fashion, the ladies and gentlemen of Virginia considered an elegant wig to be the piéce de résistance. Virginia’s founding fathers, with the exception of George Washington, were simply slaves to fashion. Today, those who crave wigs, perukes, created with the same techniques and quality of craftsmanship as those worn by Peyton Randolph, Patrick Henry, and George Wythe come to the Wig Shop on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg to place their orders. No other place in the world produces wigs using exactly the same methods and quality of materials employed by wigmakers in Colonial Virginia. When museums, like the Smithsonian, need an exact reproduction of an 18th-century wig for an exhibit, they know they can appeal to Colonial Williamsburg for assistance. “There are modern shops that make hand-tied wigs and other places that make wigs for the theater, but this is the only location where we actually sit down and reproduce wigs from the past,” observes Betty Myers, supervisor at CW’s Wigmaker’s Shop. “It’s very important that this trade not only be recognized but also be preserved. You can’t really see this anywhere else. Places in London have wig shops that make wigs for barristers. Some of those have been operating since the 1600’s. They have modified some of their work whereas we try to keep it period correct.” Betty Myers has been with Colonial Williamsburg since 1975. She’s a journeyman wigmaker who will soon be promoted to master. Myers began workPhotos By Bob Ruegsegger In the 18th century, a peruke was a manʼs wig ing at the Wig Shop in 1981. “That’s a long time. I’ve been through a lot,” says Myers with a smile. “It is a very scary thought to Preserving the trade of think of the next generation wig making for posterity and that we have only one aphas been among Myers’ prentice at the moment. That’s major concerns. There are a heavy burden for her to bear,” three journeymen wigmakacknowledges Myers. “When ers at the shop and that inDebbie Turpin completes her cludes Supervisor Myers. apprenticeship, we hope that Unfortunately, there is the down the road, because she is only apprentice. She is in the youngest member of our the fifth year of her six crew, that she will fill my posiyear apprenticeship. With tion as master. We hope that the three journeymen are she decides to stay with us all over 50 years of age, once she finishes her apprenthere is legitimate concern ticeship.” over how long the wigModern wigs are produced by maker’s trade will continue machine. Visitors regularly to survive in the Colonial come through the wig shop, capital. Menʼs wigs adorn the front window of the wig makers shop. male and female, sporting wigs
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Tim Jacoby has been volunteering at the Wig Shop. “I have a lot of fun. Itʼs nice to dress up and play,” notes Jacoby.
and hairpieces made by machine. Wigs at CW’s Wig shop are all made by hand. Myers and her staff use primary sources in producing their hirsute masterpieces. English translations of Garceau and Diderot and 18th century period pieces are their bibles. “We use those resources to follow through in our research and also in making our reproductions,” notes Myers. “Many of the wigs we produce are much more elaborate and heavier in weight than modern wigs. Today, if a lady wears a full wig, she doesn’t want it to be recognized as a wig. She wants it to be natural looking. We’re doing the opposite. In the 18th century, wigs were status symbols. People wanted others to know that they were wearing a wig.” Edward Charlton was one of the most prominent wigmakers in Williamsburg. Charlton’s home, an original building, is next door to the Wig Shop. An original account book was found in the attic of his home. His list of clientele included Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Peyton Randolph, and George Wythe. Charlton also catered to middling townspeople, doctors, lawyers, and politicians. The wigs they ordered generally cost two pounds, three shillings. Two pounds, three shillings was the equivalent of a journeyman’s wages for a month. Only about five percent of the population in Virginia could afford to shop at the Charleton’s wig shop. “For two pounds, three shillings, you could buy half an acre of land or a Continued on page 6