Capitol (Williamsburg, Virginia): Difference between revisions
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==Original building 1705-1780== |
==Original building 1705-1780== |
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A grand new [[Capitol (Williamsburg, Virginia)|Capitol building]] was constructed by [[Henry Cary%2C Jr.|Henry Cary]], a contractor finishing work on the College of William and Mary's [[Wren Building]] (the legislature's temporary home). The Colonial Capitol was a one-story H-shaped structure, actually two buildings connected by an arcade. The first floor of the west building was for the General Court and the colony's secretary, the first floor of the east for the House of Burgesses and its clerk. It was completed in November 1705. Nearby was the grand [[Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia)|Governor's Palace]]. |
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[[File:Colonial Williamsburg Capitol.jpg|thumb|Reconstruction of the first Williamsburg capitol]] |
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The building that stands now in [[Colonial Williamsburg]] is the third Capitol on that site. Cary built the first without fireplaces. In 1723, chimneys were added for fireplaces to help keep the Capitol dry. On January 30, 1747, the building burned and only some walls and the foundation remained. |
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In 1747, the Capitol burned and was rebuilt. The Capitol and the [[Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia)|Governor's Palace]] were the center of the political and social life of Virginia for most of the 18th century. Members of the [[House of Burgesses]] which met in the Capitol included [[Patrick Henry]], [[George Washington]], [[George Mason]], and [[Thomas Jefferson]]. |
In 1747, the Capitol burned and was rebuilt. The Capitol and the [[Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia)|Governor's Palace]] were the center of the political and social life of Virginia for most of the 18th century. Members of the [[House of Burgesses]] which met in the Capitol included [[Patrick Henry]], [[George Washington]], [[George Mason]], and [[Thomas Jefferson]]. |
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Governor [[William Gooch]] urged that the Capitol be rebuilt, but many legislators preferred relocating the government to a city more accessible to trade and navigation. In the meantime, the burgesses met again at the nearby Wren Building. Finally, in November 1748, reconstruction of the Capitol was approved (by only two votes: 40 to 38). The burgesses met inside for the first time on November 1, 1753. |
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In this building, [[Patrick Henry]] delivered his Caesar-Brutus speech against the [[Stamp Act]] on May 29, 1765. Henry, [[George Washington]], [[George Mason]], [[George Wythe]], [[Richard Henry Lee]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], and others played parts in the legislative maneuvering that ended in revolution. As fighting began in the North, the building featured discussion concerning Mason's [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]], his Virginia constitution, and Jefferson's first attempt at a bill for religious freedom. |
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On June 29, 1776, Virginians declared their independence from [[Great Britain]] and wrote the state's first constitution, thereby creating an independent government four days before Congress voted for the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] in Philadelphia on July 4. |
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The Capitol at Williamsburg served until the [[American Revolutionary War]] began, when Governor Thomas Jefferson urged it that the capital be relocated to Richmond. The building was last used as a capitol on December 24, 1779, when the [[Virginia General Assembly]] adjourned to reconvene in 1780 at the new capital, Richmond. |
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After the capital of Virginia was moved to [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]] in 1780 at the beginning of the [[American Revolution]], the old Capitol was used by British forces. After the [[Siege of Yorktown|Battle of Yorktown]], and the surrender of [[Lord Cornwallis]], it fell into disrepair and was dismantled for its materials. |
After the capital of Virginia was moved to [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]] in 1780 at the beginning of the [[American Revolution]], the old Capitol was used by British forces. After the [[Siege of Yorktown|Battle of Yorktown]], and the surrender of [[Lord Cornwallis]], it fell into disrepair and was dismantled for its materials. |
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==Restoration: Colonial Williamsburg== |
==Restoration: Colonial Williamsburg== |
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[[Image:Colonial Williamsburg Capitol.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Capitol Building]] |
[[Image:Colonial Williamsburg Capitol.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Capitol Building]] |
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About 150 years later, through the efforts of [[W.A.R. Goodwin|Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin]] and [[John D. Rockefeller Jr.]], both the Capitol and the massive Governor's Palace at Williamsburg were thoroughly reconstructed and became major attractions at [[Colonial Williamsburg]]. |
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Early in the 20th century, the Reverend Dr. [[W. A. R. Goodwin]] undertook restoration of historic [[Bruton Parish Church]] (c. 1711) where he was rector. His dreams of restoring other buildings of the old colonial capital city led to his affiliation with [[Standard Oil]] heir and [[philanthropist]] [[John D. Rockefeller Jr.]] and the creation of [[Colonial Williamsburg]]. The reconstructed Capitol and [[Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia)|Governor's Palace]] join the [[Wren Building]] of the [[College of William & Mary]] as the three main structures of the restoration. |
Early in the 20th century, the Reverend Dr. [[W. A. R. Goodwin]] undertook restoration of historic [[Bruton Parish Church]] (c. 1711) where he was rector. His dreams of restoring other buildings of the old colonial capital city led to his affiliation with [[Standard Oil]] heir and [[philanthropist]] [[John D. Rockefeller Jr.]] and the creation of [[Colonial Williamsburg]]. The reconstructed Capitol and [[Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia)|Governor's Palace]] join the [[Wren Building]] of the [[College of William & Mary]] as the three main structures of the restoration. |
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Revision as of 17:16, 9 July 2012
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The Capitol at Williamsburg, Virginia was the first capitol building in America, completed in 1705. A reconstructed version is a centerpiece of Colonial Williamsburg.
Original building 1705-1780
A grand new Capitol building was constructed by Henry Cary, a contractor finishing work on the College of William and Mary's Wren Building (the legislature's temporary home). The Colonial Capitol was a one-story H-shaped structure, actually two buildings connected by an arcade. The first floor of the west building was for the General Court and the colony's secretary, the first floor of the east for the House of Burgesses and its clerk. It was completed in November 1705. Nearby was the grand Governor's Palace.
The building that stands now in Colonial Williamsburg is the third Capitol on that site. Cary built the first without fireplaces. In 1723, chimneys were added for fireplaces to help keep the Capitol dry. On January 30, 1747, the building burned and only some walls and the foundation remained.
In 1747, the Capitol burned and was rebuilt. The Capitol and the Governor's Palace were the center of the political and social life of Virginia for most of the 18th century. Members of the House of Burgesses which met in the Capitol included Patrick Henry, George Washington, George Mason, and Thomas Jefferson.
Governor William Gooch urged that the Capitol be rebuilt, but many legislators preferred relocating the government to a city more accessible to trade and navigation. In the meantime, the burgesses met again at the nearby Wren Building. Finally, in November 1748, reconstruction of the Capitol was approved (by only two votes: 40 to 38). The burgesses met inside for the first time on November 1, 1753.
In this building, Patrick Henry delivered his Caesar-Brutus speech against the Stamp Act on May 29, 1765. Henry, George Washington, George Mason, George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, and others played parts in the legislative maneuvering that ended in revolution. As fighting began in the North, the building featured discussion concerning Mason's Virginia Declaration of Rights, his Virginia constitution, and Jefferson's first attempt at a bill for religious freedom.
On June 29, 1776, Virginians declared their independence from Great Britain and wrote the state's first constitution, thereby creating an independent government four days before Congress voted for the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia on July 4.
The Capitol at Williamsburg served until the American Revolutionary War began, when Governor Thomas Jefferson urged it that the capital be relocated to Richmond. The building was last used as a capitol on December 24, 1779, when the Virginia General Assembly adjourned to reconvene in 1780 at the new capital, Richmond.
After the capital of Virginia was moved to Richmond in 1780 at the beginning of the American Revolution, the old Capitol was used by British forces. After the Battle of Yorktown, and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, it fell into disrepair and was dismantled for its materials.
Restoration: Colonial Williamsburg
About 150 years later, through the efforts of Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin and John D. Rockefeller Jr., both the Capitol and the massive Governor's Palace at Williamsburg were thoroughly reconstructed and became major attractions at Colonial Williamsburg.
Early in the 20th century, the Reverend Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin undertook restoration of historic Bruton Parish Church (c. 1711) where he was rector. His dreams of restoring other buildings of the old colonial capital city led to his affiliation with Standard Oil heir and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and the creation of Colonial Williamsburg. The reconstructed Capitol and Governor's Palace join the Wren Building of the College of William & Mary as the three main structures of the restoration.
See also
External links
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