Governor’s Palace, Williamsburg Virginia

Henry Cary designed the Virginia Governor’s Mansion in Williamsburg, where he also designed the first Virginia Capitol building. The state’s general assembly appropriated £3,000, overseen by Edmund Jenings, to build one of the grandest buildings in America at that time. Completed in 1722, the palace quickly became a symbol of royal British presence in the colonies and of the resulting social inequality. It was burned down in 1781 and rebuilt in 1934 by Perry, Shaw and Hepburn architects.

The basic form of the building can be traced to neo-Classical Nether Lypiatt Manor, with wings protruding into the front on either side and a octagonal domed steeple in the center. These same additional elements could be seen in Cary’s nearby Capitol building. The royal crest hung boldly on the front frieze of both buildings.

The bedrooms were enormous even by today’s standards. The comforts of wealthy living needed to comply with the exigencies of governmental business. Arsenals of guns and swords hung in the front room as a reminder of England’s military might. Large gardens surrounded the estate, and a long ballroom was added at the rear to receive dignitaries and public servants. An equilateral cross floor-plan allowed guests to bypass living rooms to reach these entertainment rooms. Italian and Dutch influences can be seen in the exterior form.

More Info