You’ve probably been wondering—as we did—how it is that we have this wonderful Colonial Williamsburg that we can tour today. How it is that we can learn the history behind Virginia’s lead in starting the American Revolution in such an interesting way. The answer starts with a local Anglican rector who in the 1920s convinced John D. Rockefeller, Jr., to come here and restore this city so the nation could learn about the American Revolution and enjoy this beautiful spot.
Before we continue, let’s look on the map to see today’s locations.
Bassett Hall – The Story Behind the Restoration
“John D. Rockefeller Jr. was the financial power that made the Colonial Williamsburg restoration possible. Furnished in the 1930s and 1940s with folk art, 18th-century antiques, and 20th-century accessories, each room of Bassett Hall reveals what made this one of the Rockefellers’ favorite retreats.” (info from website)
Since Rockefeller was going to be around to watch his project take shape during the 1930s and 40s, he took on the restoration of Bassett Hall to be his family home during this time and then to come in the spring and fall after the restoration was completed.
Here’s the history of the property. In 1753 when the Johnson family were owners, the estate was made up of 950 rural acres and 4 contiguous lots in the city of Williamsburg. The next owner, Richard Corbin, refurbished the house in the 1790s. Around 1800, Burwell Bassett (a nephew of Martha Washington and a Virginia legislator) bought the property, and it has retained the Bassett name ever since. After going through more owners, the Rockefeller family purchased the property in 1927.
how Rockefeller got involved
The rector of Bruton Parish Church had already taken the lead in restoring the church he led. In 1926, he invited Rockefeller and his wife, Abby to Williamsburg and shared his dream of preserving local buildings associated with the American Revolution. After a second visit, Rockefeller agreed to purchase the first historic home that became available. However, he didn’t want his name associated with the purchase since that would only drive up the price, so he signed the telegram authorizing the purchase “David’s Father.”
Here are pictures of the before and after restoration of the Ludwell-Paradise House, the first building to be restored.
Then in 1927, right before the stock market crash and the depression, Rockefeller fully committed himself to the restoration of 18th century Williamsburg. Work began immediately and progressed quickly. The rector encouraged Rockefeller to buy Bassett Hall, which we know he did, so he could easily explore the vision and dream that he was building.
Today’s view of the house. Our tour of the inside of the house is further on in this post.
other restored buildings
Amazing work was done on all of these buildings plus so many more that are available for us to see in Colonial Williamsburg. With so many out of work during the depression, this project had available workers who willing to work hard so they could then support their families instead of depending on the government.
Now for some background on the planned town, the Governor’s Palace, and the Capitol.
an 18th-century planned town
In the 1690s, the capital of Virginia was moved from Jamestown (since the capitol building there kept burning down) to this location that was named Williamsburg in honor of King William III of England. The current royal governor ordered the design for a new city. The mile-long main street, Duke of Gloucester, would connect the seat of learning, the College of William and Mary, at the west end to the center of law at the east end, the Capitol.
The governor’s design for the city specified detailed requirements for dwellings and commercial establishments, resulting in “a very handsome city.”
the Governor’s Palace
the capitol
tour of Bassett Hall as the Rockefeller’s knew it
You’ve seen the outside of Bassett Hall, now it’s time for an inside tour. What I found fascinating about this house is that it isn’t large: it only had 2 bedrooms, and few staff stayed onsite. Why? It’s because this was to be a home where the Rockefellers came to relax and unwind. They had other homes in other locations for entertaining. But they knew that their wealthy friends would come to see the city and would expect accommodations like they had elsewhere. John Rockefeller solved that problem by building a 5-star hotel that you’ll be seeing at the end of this post.
To the left of the entry is a family living room and to the right is a formal living room. Mrs. Rockefeller decorated the home in styles popular in the 1930s and 40s. The house has been restored to what it looked like when they lived here.
comfortable living room
Rockefeller wanted to have pictures of what the buildings would look like as he walked around town to see progress. Architects drew these panels for him. Aren’t we glad to have computers now to print out plans and changes?
formal living room
Our tour guide is a 4th generation employee of Colonial Williamsburg. Members of his family worked on building the city back in the 1930s. Yes, he’s blind, but we wouldn’t have known it by the expert way he led the tour. He told us that other staff members would lay out his jacket, shirt, and tie each day so he could look “put together.”
Upstairs we saw the Rockefellers’ bedroom, 1 guest room, and Mr. Rockefeller’s study.
their bedroom
guest bedroom
Mr. Rockefeller’s study
Back downstairs we walked through the dining room that also doubled for a work room.
We walked through the pantry toward the flower room. I loved this china pattern that Mrs. Rockefeller had for coffee and tea.
Flower room for creating floral arrangements all over the home.
The kitchen had conveniences that were modern for that day.
I still have my mom’s Better Homes & Gardens and Joy of Cooking cookbooks that look like the copies here. The walk-in food pantry would have stored food and extra appliances for serving the family when they visited.
Off of the kitchen is an apartment for the cook. This is her sitting room.
Just outside of the back door are some outbuildings and these beautiful flower gardens.
The garden blooms in the spring and fall just as it did during the Rockefeller’s seasonal visits (best time to visit the South!). Extensive conservation work has recently been completed to include the addition of more than 5,000 trees, shrubs, and ground cover, returning the gardens to their 1940s-era appearance. Trails that the Rockefellers established in the woods behind the home are still maintained. (info from the Colonial Williamsburg website)
hotel for visiting dignitaries
Mr. Rockefeller knew he needed a place for friends and possible investors to stay so we built this 5-star hotel that is so beautiful.
The lobby and dining room look so lovely.
The outside sitting area has a view of the golf course.
good-bye
This finishes our time at Colonial Williamsburg. We had such a good time that we’re coming back at Christmas time to see the decorations and the shops we weren’t able to see on this trip.
Instead of spending a 3rd day here, we decided to go to nearby Jamestown and see what we could see and learn there.