Each January, Historic Kenmore presents Twelfth Night at Kenmore, a dramatic theater presentation that imagines the first Christmas that Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis spent in their newly built home. The play is set in January 1776 and that year is not a time for the usual celebration. War brings fear, doubt, and frustration to the Lewis family and their friends.

The 2016 edition of Twelfth Night at Kenmore took place this past weekend. Here are photos from that performance.

Kenmore is ready for the party.

George Lewis (Joe Ziarko) gazes out the window and ponders enlisting in the Continental Army.

George Weedon (L-Rae Ehlen) and Fielding Lewis (R-John Hollinger) lament the burning of Norfolk and Dunmore’s Proclamation.

The dessert table includes a hedgehog cake.

Candles light the Passage

Betty Washington Lewis (L-Barbara Cochran) and Nancy Alexander Lewis (R-Corinn Keene) determine to smile through the troubles of war.

The Lewis family and guests sing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

The Payne Family provided music for the performance. (L-R) Zach, Kelsey, Kaylee, and Luke.

George Weedon explains to Captain Richard Taylor (Sam Fulton) why horse racing ought to be banned during the war.

Captain Taylor, John Lewis (Mike Taylor), and George Lewis play cards.

Wassail in a punch bowl.

Sausage cooking over the fire in the kitchen.

Rachel (Gladys Perkins), enslaved cook for the Lewis family, tends the fire.

Rachel ponders the future that war might bring for the enslaved community and if that future will include freedom.