The Governor's Palace

The Governor's Palace

Out of the many historic buildings that are at Colonial Williamsburg, there is one that has always been my absolute favorite: The Governor's Palace. The Governor's Palace caught my attention from the very first time I ever laid eyes upon it. As I learned more about the Governor's Palace, I grew to love the building even more. So this blog will be dedicated to giving you some information on my favorite historic building at Colonial Williamsburg.

The construction of the Governor's Palace started in the summer of 1706 after Governor Edward Nott had convinced the General Assembly to allow it to be built in 1705. It took 16 years (and a lot of money) for the Governor's Palace to be completed.

The term "Palace" was not officially used until around 1714. If you look at palaces throughout Europe, the Governor's Palace really does not compare. But it truly is a magnificent building.  The gate you walk through to the Palace has a stone unicorn and lion on either side. Inside, each of the Palace's three floors is about 3, 380 square feet. There is even a balcony on the center upper window. Out behind the Governor's Palace, you will find the gardens (where you could spend a whole lot of time just wandering through the beautiful layout.) Other things that are outside of the Governor's Palace is a stable, kitchen, carriage house, advance buildings and more.

Each Governor that lived in the Palace would make his own attributions. He would make improvements where he saw fit. There was, however a time when the colony's council ordered that there be major repairs to the building in 1749. Governor Dinwiddie had to wait until 1752 until he could move into the Governor's Palace after its repairs were completed.

The Governor's Palace was not just where the Governor of Virginia would reside. After the government moved from Williamsburg to Richmond, the Palace was used as a hospital for wounded American soldiers from the Battle of Yorktown. Some of the wounded that died were buried in the garden.

Unfortunately, on December 22, 1781, the Governor's Palace caught on fire. It burned completely to the ground.

From the 1930's until 1980, the Governor's Palace was rebuilt almost exactaly like the original building on the same location it stood many years ago. Inside, it was decorated with both British and American antiques. There are a few things in the Governor's Palace now from the original building, one of them being a fireplace that simply fell to the bottom floor during the fire. 

Just one side of the weapon display in the entrance hall

What you see now if you go to the Governor's Palace is what the Palace would have looked like when Lord Dunmore lived there. Some things that you will find that reflect Lord Dunmore's residence at the Governor's Palace is the replication of the weapon display in the entrance hall, Lady Dunmore's dressing room, and rooms for Lord and Lady Dunmore's children. 

Also, the decorations of the Governor's Palace are only the finest fashion you would fine during Lord Dunmore's time spent in the palace. For example, the green walls of the supper room, and the fine detail that you can see in any room.



The Supper Room



The ballroom is a large room with a very showy appearance. Meant to hold around 200 people, this room was made to awe the Governor's guests. Some of its features include a high arched ceiling and two beautiful chandeliers, blue walls with gold trim, and of course the two large portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte. The portraits of the King and Queen are at the far end of the ballroom, so that when you enter, their portraits are the first things you will see. These portraits are not just a small little picture either. They are huge, and practically cover the whole wall. It was meant to remind visitors that the Royal Governor was the representative of King George III.

The Ballroom

The Governor's Palace has an extremely interesting history along with its exquisite beauty. I hope you all get a chance to visit this beautiful place to see for yourself the breath-taking building of the Governor's Palace.

The Governor's Palace