Use the websites for NHL and NHR. Create a map and inventory that shows how the town
of Williamsburg (yes, the entire town, including the College and neighborhoods) appears in the
language of federal historic preservation. Note what are districts, what individual buildings are
listed, who owns which listings, and when and why they were listed.
National Historic Landmarks
Name
Maintinaed by
Bruton Parish
Church
Property
Type
Religious
Chruch
CW
Year
Designated
1970
Peyton Randolph
House
Domestic
dwelling
CW
1970
James Semple
House
Domestic
dwelling
CW
1970
Williamsburg
Historic District
Historic
District
CW
1960
Significance
A rectangular, two story, early
Georgian frame structure, this
house was erected in three
stages between 1715 and
1782. The main rooms
contain fine paneling. Peyton
Randolph (1721-1775) was
the first President of the
Continental Congress (1774).
A rectangular, two story, early
Georgian frame structure, this
house was erected in three
stages between 1715 and
1782. The main rooms
contain fine paneling. Peyton
Randolph (1721-1775) was
the first President of the
Continental Congress (1774).
Constructed about 1770, this
structure is believed to have
been designed by Thomas
Jefferson. It is an example of
a Roman country house style
adapted for a frame
townhouse. John Tyler (17901862), 10th President of the
United States (1841-1845),
resided here while attending
grammar school and the
College of William and Mary
(1802-07); he was related to
the Semples.
This was the Capital of
Virginia (1699-1799) and the
Wren Building
Educational College/state
Facility
1960
Wythe House
Domestic
dwelling
1970
CW
home of the College of
William and Mary, chartered
in 1693. Restoration of the
district, begun in 1927, has
recreated the atmosphere of
18th century Williamsburg.
The cornerstone for the Wren
Building, the first building of
the second-oldest institution
of higher learning in the
country, was laid in 1695, two
years after the college was
chartered. Four stories in
height, it was one of the
largest buildings erected in
the Colonies up to that time.
From 1755 to 1791, this
structure, one of Virginia's
finest Georgian brick
townhouse, with simple lines
and excellent brickwork, was
the home of George Wythe
(1726-1806), signer of the
Declaration of Independence,
Mayor of Williamsburg, and
first professor of law in an
American college (William
and Mary).
National Register of Historic Places
Name
Subject
Keywords
Date Published
Bruton Parish
Church
Architecture;
Georgian;
Building; 17001799
Spottswood,Alexander;1711;1715;1769 1970