The Restoration of Williamsburg

        Two men are responsible for re- creating eighteenth-century Williamsburg, the Reverend W. A. R. Goodwin and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The former, late Rector of Bruton Parish, long cherished a dream of preserving the historic past of the old city. He communicated this vision to Mr. Rockefeller who made funds available and assumed leadership and direction of the restoration work. The project, which is generally known as Colonial Williamsburg, consists of two corporations-Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated, a non-profit educational corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Williamsburg Restoration, Incorporated, which is concerned with business operations.

       Mr. Rockefeller provided funds in the amount of approximately $61,500,000 for the project. During many years the operating and maintenance costs were met in part by revenue from Williamsburg Inn and Lodge and their associated guesthouses and taverns; rentals; the Williamsburg Theatre; admissions to the Exhibition Buildings; and sales of authorized reproductions, gifts, and publications. Mr. Winthrop Rockefeller is chairman of the boards of both Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated, and Williamsburg Restoration, Incorporated. The two corporations employed more than one thousand persons. 

       The work began in 1927. The Raleigh Tavern was opened to the public in 1932, followed by the Capitol (1934), Governor's Palace (1934), Ludwell-Paradise House (1935), Public Gaol (1936), George Wythe House (1940), and Brush-Everard House (1951). The Magazine, exhibited for some years by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, was leased and reopened as an Exhibition Building of Colonial Williamsburg in 1949. Restoration work was completed at the Wren Building in 1931 and at Bruton Parish Church in 1940. Of all these buildings, only three (the Capitol, Palace, and Raleigh Tavern) had to be entirely rebuilt. 

       Restoration was applied to buildings which were still standing in whole form or in major part and needed only to be repaired and stripped of later additions. Reconstruction was also applied to structures which had fallen victim to fire or dismantling and had to be entirely rebuilt on their original sites. In all, more than eighty two buildings have been restored, including a high percentage of those mentioned in house histories; approximately three hundred and seventy five were reconstructed prior to 1951, of which a large number were outbuildings. In both types of work, architects have been guided by archaeological remnants, maps, drawings, and daguerreo-types; data from insurance records, diaries, and wills; and any other source of evidence which research workers could discover to shed light on the city's past. Where no definite evidence is available, reliance has been placed on architectural precedents and an examination of surviving colonial buildings in the Tidewater area. 

Colonial games for children of that era.

       To complete the "restored area" a number of additional buildings are planned both for exhibition and private use, among them dwelling houses, taverns, and a windmill. Some day the First Theatre in English America will stand again on Palace Green as evidence of the rich heritage of the eighteenth- century stage. 

       During restoration work, modern conveniences and services were hidden rather than discarded. Telephone and electric wires were buried and fire hydrants made inconspicuous. Houses to be used for residential purposes have modern plumbing, insulation, and other features which would have startled the colonial owners. Occupants of some of these houses are Williamsburg residents who allowed their homes to be restored and modernized-or demolished-in return for a lifetime lease of a colonial dwelling. Some obvious concessions have been made also for the convenience of the twentieth-century visitor: cobblestones and pavement replace mud and dust in the city's streets, and a few signs have been necessary. 

       The business district on Duke of Gloucester Street, although designed in a manner to harmonize with colonial architecture, was developed to meet the modern requirements of the community. It should also be noted that the restored area, although conspicuous, constitutes only a portion of the City of Williamsburg. 

       Today there are about 15,900 persons living within the city limits, and many residents of near-by counties use Williamsburg as a business or marketing center. There are no large industries. Two distinguished institutions founded in colonial days continue to take their place in the community - the College of William and Mary (1693), and Eastern State Hospital (1770). Williamsburg was chartered as a city on July 28, 1722. Its present government is administered by a mayor, council, and city manager.

       Two other major American landmarks - Jamestown and Yorktown (historic here) - lie close by Williamsburg. At Jamestown, seven miles southwest of town, one may see the unrestored site of the first permanent English settlement in the New World. Twelve miles northeast of Williamsburg is Yorktown, where Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington in 1781 after the last decisive battle of the American Revolution. Within easy driving distance are several historic James River plantations which are open to visitors all year round. Route directions and other information may be obtained at the Colonial Williamsburg Travel Office in the Craft House.

Video showing "Williamsburg Restored" from 1951.

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