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 view of the Clerk's Office in the House of Burgesses, Capitol Building, 1935. Charles Willson Peale's portrait of Washington (accession # 1933-502, A&B) is featured prominently on the wall. In 1928, it was acquired by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. from Shirley Plantation, where it was likely exhibited since at least the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century (having been passed down through generations of the Carter family). Legend has it that Marion Carter Oliver agreed to the sale because Washington was not actually a family member.
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.
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.
]]>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.
Above the fireplace hangs a painting entitled Imaginary Landscape (accession #1931.101.3), a gift of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. In anticipation of guests' needs, a bottle case or cellaret (accession # 1930-58) is pictured to the left of the fireplace. Cellarets functioned as portable wine cellars for holding wine and bottled spirits at mealtimes.
]]>The Raleigh Tavern opened in 1932 as one of the earliest exhibition buildings at Colonial Williamsburg. One of the rooms open to visitors was the Daphne Room, a private room offered to tavern guests for holding meals and meetings. Interior decor for the Daphne Room consisted of a dining room ensemble, patterned wallpaper, and brocade curtains. Later research led to a reinterpretation of the room with plain painted walls and curtainless windows.
Above the fireplace hangs a painting entitled Imaginary Landscape (accession #1931.101.3), a gift of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. In anticipation of guests' needs, a bottle case or cellaret (accession # 1930-58) is pictured to the left of the fireplace. Cellarets functioned as portable wine cellars for holding wine and bottled spirits at mealtimes.
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.
]]>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.
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.
]]>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.
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.
]]>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.