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.

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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.
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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.)]]>
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Interior view of the General Court Room in the Capitol, 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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Interior view of the General Court Room in the Capitol, 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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]]> Interior view of the General Court Room in the Capitol, 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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Interior view of the General Court Room in the Capitol, 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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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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cane-back side chairs (accession # 1985-201) are also exhibited around the table and the perimeter of the room, among other period furniture. 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.]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Exterior view of the Capitol building's north facade, from the north gate entrance looking toward the building, 1935. In the background stands the Capitol building, and the clock and cupola are visible on the clock tower above the entrance to the building. "The H-shaped plan of the Capitol reflects the division of the government between the lower and upper houses of the legislature....As the General Assembly evolved, it comprised the Council [meeting in the west wing, to the right] and the House of Burgesses [in the east wing, to the left], each of which met separately."

(Source: Michael Olmert and Suzanne Coffman, Official Guide to Colonial Williamsburg [Williamsburg, VA: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2007], 68).

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