Williamsburg -- Governor's Palace

Object Details

General: The first Governor's Palace and gardens were designed by Alexander Spotswood and built between 1708 and 1720. It served as the Governor's home until the Revolutionary War, when it became a military hospital. In 1781, the mansion was destroyed by fire. During the 1930's, the Palace was reconstructed. Arthur Shurcliff (Shurtleff) designed the gardens based on Spotswood's designs of the early 1700s. He based the gardens on English design with a combination of French and Dutch influences, using both "exotics" and native Virginia plants. The gardens, which include a ballroom garden, holly maze, and kitchen garden, are open to the public.; Persons associated with the property include: Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood (designer, 1708-1720); Perry, Shaw and Hepburn (designers, 1931-1934); Arthur Shurtleff (landscape architect, 1930's); Alden Hopkins (landscape architect); and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (owner).

Owner: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Creator: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Designer: Spotswood, Alexander, 1676-1740
Landscape architect: Shurcliff, Arthur A. (Arthur Asahel), 1870-1957; Hopkins, Alden
Collection Creator: Garden Club of America

Place: Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia); United States of America -- Virginia -- Williamsburg

Owner: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Creator: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Designer: Spotswood, Alexander, 1676-1740
Landscape architect: Shurcliff, Arthur A. (Arthur Asahel), 1870-1957; Hopkins, Alden

See more items in: The Garden Club of America collection; The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Gardens / Virginia

Sponsor: A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.

Collection Citation: Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.

Collection Rights: Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Existence and Location of Originals: Original image of VA021012 forms part of Francis Benjamin Johnston Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.

Scope and Contents: Folders include work sheets, brochures, garden map, and copies of articles.

Collection Restrictions: Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.

Related Materials: Governor's Palace related holdings consist of 3 folders (38 35 mm. slides, 6 photoprints and 12 glass lantern slides)
See others in: J. Horace McFarland Collection, 1900-1961