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 the advance of new research findings 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.
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The statue of Lord Botetourt serves as a focal point on the path leading towards the Wren Building, whose features are thought to be based upon an adaptation of a Sir Christopher Wren design. Due to preservation concerns, the statue has since been moved to an indoor location. The Wren Building is one of the oldest academic structures in the United States, and retains a large portion of its original outside walls, despite being damaged by several fires in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

(Source: Special Collections Research Center web page, "Lord Botetourt," The College of William and Mary's Earl Gregg Swem Library/Special Collections Research Center, 9 December 2013, <http://scdb.swem.wm.edu/wiki/index.php/Lord_Botetourt> [accessed 12 March 2014]). ]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Rights and reproductions]]> Interior of the Dining Room in the Governor's Palace, 1935. The painting on the wall may be a portrait of the young Prince William, Duke of Gloucester (1689-1700), son of the future Queen Anne. (This painting is possibly a former loan to the museum). Among the room's furnishings, a beautiful corner table (accession # 1930-227), made of mahogany, maple, and white pine, stands in the corner.

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.

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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 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]]> Interior of the parlor in the Governor's Palace, 1935. The painted portrait above the mantel represents King James I of England (and VI of Scotland). A handsome tilt-top mahogany tea table (accession # 1930-184) stands in the middle of the room, and an elegant card table stands to the left 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 the advance of new research findings 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]]> 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]]> Interior of Governor's Palace, detail of the fireplace in the main entrance hall, 1935. Richly carved wooden wall paneling, marble floor tiling, and a marble mantelpiece exhibit the wealth and power of the royal governor, who served as the Crown's official representative in Virginia. An ornate wooden carving of the royal coat of arms is affixed to the wall above the fireplace and "...represented the authority by which the governor ruled." Furthermore, "the hall at the Palace served as a screening area where visitors wishing to see the governor were 'sorted out.'"

(Source: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Official Guide to Colonial Williamsburg [Williamsburg, Virginia: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 1998], pg. 85).

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