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The caption reads: "The library-office in the home of Peyton Randolph, one of the leading statesmen of colonial America, who served as the First President of the Continental Congress. Furnishings are based on the inventory of Randolph's estate prepared shortly after his death."]]> AV-2015-02-23-V]]>
Located on the second floor (West wing) of the reconstructed Capitol building of 1705, the Council Chamber served as place for members of the Governor's Council to meet. The Council consisted of twelve colonists appointed by the King to serve for life in the upper house of Virginia's legislature.

Interior furnishings and decor reflect curators' views in the 1930s as to how Williamsburg's historic interiors may have looked in the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, with new research advancements over the years, the interiors of the Capitol have changed to reflect a more authentic and accurate view of the building’s likely contents and room arrangements.

]]> Interior view of the Public Gaol Keeper's Quarters, 1935. Opened as an exhibition building in April 1936, the Public Gaol is one of the surviving original buildings restored to its eighteenth-century appearance. This room served as a place for the gaoler on duty to rest, eat a meal, or work on paperwork. "In its present form, the Public Gaol has three rooms on the first floor -- a hall and chamber for the gaoler and his family and a cell at the rear for debtors -- and 'chambers' in the attic for the gaoler's use and the confinement of prisoners." York County inventories aided the curatorial staff in selecting antique furnishings similar to those the gaolers actually used. Among the room's furnishings, a yellow pine dresser (accession # 1936-34) is pictured to the far right against the wall.

Interior furnishings and decor reflect curators' views in the 1930s as to how Williamsburg's historic interiors may have looked in the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, with new research advancements over the years, the interiors of the Governor’s Palace have changed to reflect a more authentic and accurate view of the building’s likely contents and room arrangements.

(Source: Michael Olmert and Suzanne Coffman, Official Guide to Colonial Williamsburg [Williamsburg, VA: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2007], 74).

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Portraits hanging on the walls are: left, "Portrait of Thomas Roderick Dew" (1802-1846) by William Garl Brown[e], Jr. and right, "Portrait of Robert Boyle" (1627-1691) by James Worsdale [after Johann Kerseboom.]]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Interior of the Upper Middle Room in the Governor's Palace, 1935. Among other furnishings, a beautiful desk (accession # 1930-210), made of mahogany, white pine, and ash, stands against the wall to the left.The room's former hand-tooled leather wall coverings are also visible on the walls, though they have now been removed due to deterioration.

Interior furnishings and decor reflect curators' views in the 1930s as to how Williamsburg's historic interiors may have looked in the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, with new research advancements over the years, the interior furnishings of the Governor’s Palace have changed to reflect a more authentic and accurate view of the building’s likely contents and room arrangements.

]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Detail photo of fireplace in the Great Room of the Market Square Tavern taken by F.S. Lincoln, 1935. The original tavern structure burned down in 1859 but the remains of the original foundations allowed for the restoration of the building to its eighteenth-century appearance. John Dixon constructed the original around 1749 and used it as a combination dwelling and shop. Later additions allowed the building to be converted into a tavern.

In the 1930s, guests to Colonial Williamsburg could rent rooms in the tavern to experience some colonial ambiance. The Great Room served as a gathering spot for conversations, games, and special occasions. A cozy corner of the room for reading or resting centered around a paneled fireplace. A painting from the collection of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, titled Girl with Dove (accession # 1933.100.3), decorated the wall above the mantel.

]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Interior view of the General Court Room in the Capitol, with bird's-eye view of the court justices' seats beyond the bar, 1935. "The General Court, the highest court in the colony, convened in April and October to hear both civil and criminal cases. The governor and the twelve members of the Council served as the justices of the General Court. After 1710, the Court of Oyer and Terminer (meaning 'to hear and decide'), presided over by the councillors alone, heard criminal cases at sessions in June and December."

(Source: Michael Olmert and Suzanne Coffman, Official Guide to Colonial Williamsburg [Williamsburg, VA: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2007], 69).

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The two portraits hanging on the back wall are currently part of the collection of the Muscarelle Museum at the College of William & Mary. For many years, the college loaned the two portraits to Colonial Williamsburg for display in the Capitol. To the left is a portrait of King William III by Sir Peter Lely (formerly loan item L1955-483.) To the right is a portrait of Queen Mary II by Sir Godfrey Kneller (formerly loan item L1954-1069.)]]> Rights and reproductions]]>
Interior furnishings and decor reflect curators' views in the 1930s as to how Williamsburg's historic interiors may have looked in the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, with new research advancements over the years, the interiors of the Capitol have changed to reflect a more authentic and accurate view of the building’s likely contents and room arrangements.
]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Council Chamber of the Capitol, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1935. Located on the second floor (West wing) of the reconstructed Capitol building of 1705, the Council Chamber served as place for members of the Governor's Council to meet. The Council consisted of twelve colonists appointed by the King to serve for life in the upper house of Virginia's legislature.

Interior furnishings and decor reflect curators' views in the 1930s as to how Williamsburg's historic interiors may have looked in the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, with new research advancements over the years, the interiors of the Capitol have changed to reflect a more authentic and accurate view of the building’s likely contents and room arrangements.

At the time this photo was taken, the portrait of Queen Anne (accession #1935-218) is visible in the background to the left on the wall. A painting of Queen Anne's coat of arms is displayed to the right.

]]> Rights and reproductions]]> View of Southeast Committee Room of the Capitol, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1935. Located on the second floor (east wing) of the reconstructed Capitol building of 1705, this committee room served as place for members of Virginia's House of Burgesses to assemble to discuss legislative issues. Pictured to the left is a "warming machine" (accession # 1933-503 [L]) made by Abraham Buzaglo in 1770, once used for heating the hall of the House of Burgesses.

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Interior furnishings and decor reflect curators' views in the 1930s as to how Williamsburg's historic interiors may have looked in the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, with new research advancements over the years, the interiors of the Capitol have changed to reflect a more authentic and accurate view of the building’s likely contents and room arrangements.]]> Rights and reproductions]]>