Documentaries

Woodmancote Manor, Gloucestershire, England, Birthplace of Joseph Bridger
Photographer John Ericson

Anne Randall, The Final Chapter of Written in Bone, a partnership with the Smithsonian Institute

Who was Anne Randall? What was life like for a woman in the American colonies during the 17th century? Anne Randall, The Final Chapter of Written in Bone: Forensic Files of the 17th-Century Chesapeake, is a partnership between St. Luke’s Historic Church and Museum, The Bridger Family Association, and the Smithsonian Institute. The Written in Bone project studies the skeletal remains of people who lived in the 17th century in the American colonies to understand more about individuals, their lives, and culture. The remains of Anne Randall were studied with the express consent of verified family members in partnership with the Written in Bone Project headed by Douglas W. Owsley, Ph. D., Curator of Biological Anthropology at The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. This chapter of the project gave us the unique opportunity to learn more about the history of a woman from the 17th century in an ethical and dignified way.

Dear Friends and Patrons of St. Luke’s Historic Church & Museum,

We are pleased to share important news regarding our ongoing commitment to research, education, and ethical stewardship of history. We are finally able to share with you our updated documentary on the Anne Randall exhumation and our part in the Written in Bone project. St. Luke’s Historic Church & Museum collaborated with the Smithsonian Institute on the Written in Bone project, a landmark study exploring life and death in 17th-century Virginia through the careful analysis of archaeological remains.

Our participation in this project was made possible with the full consent and support of the known descendants and the family association of Anne Randall, whose remains were among those studied. Their trust and partnership allowed us to engage in meaningful historical and scientific discovery while ensuring the dignity and wishes of the family were fully respected.

Through this collaboration, we gained a unique perspective on the lived experiences of a 17th-century woman and the broader story of early colonial life in our region. The insights derived from this research deepen our understanding of the individuals and communities who shaped our shared past.

We also wish to express our support for the Smithsonian Institute as it undertakes thoughtful introspection regarding the ethical care and study of human remains within its custody. We understand and respect their decision to review the Written in Bone project as part of this important process. Ethical reflection and transparency are essential to the responsible interpretation of history, and we are proud to stand with the Smithsonian in this shared commitment.

Thank you for your continued support of St. Luke’s Historic Church & Museum. Together, we honor the past with integrity and advance our mission to preserve, interpret, and share the stories that define our collective heritage.

With gratitude,

John Ericson, Executive Director
& Elaine Brown, Museum Educator

For more information on the progress of the “Written in Bone Project”, see the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History website.

Additional Documentaries

Part I : Born from Conflict; Cavaliers and Puritans of Newport Parish

The Virginia Colony was formed during the tumultuous 17th century when religious conflicts dominated on the continent of Europe and in the UK. Part I of this documentary traces the English roots of some of the families that formed what became known as Newport Parish in Isle of Wight. Some were Dissenters, some were part of the Established Church of England and all were participants in what shaped the early history of Virginia. Join us as we explore those turbulent times and how they still inform us today.