The Capitol Architectural Record Block 8 Building 11 | Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

The Capitol Architectural Record Block 8 Building 11The Capitol Architectural Record

Thomas T. Waterman

February 5, 1932

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library Research Report Series - 1132
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library

Williamsburg, Virginia

1990

THE CAPITOL
ARCHITECTURAL RECORD

By
Thomas T. Waterman
- - -
February 5,1932

THE CAPITOL
ARCHITECTURAL RECORD
BY: Thomas T. Waterman
DATE: February 5, 1932.

EXTERIOR: -

GENERAL NOTES:

Evidence for Plan:	Existing Foundations.
	Michel's Sketch.
	Jones' "Present State of Virginia"
	Bodleian Plate.
	Capitol Research Notes.

SOUTH ELEVATION:

Precedent
Existing Brickwork,	English Bond below grade.
Bruton Church	English Bond below water table, conjectural.
" "	Flemish Bond above water table, conjectural.
" "	Glazed header in all over pattern, conjectural.
" "	Rubbed work around all openings, conjectural.
Stratford,	Gauged water-table, double moulded.
Main Building, College,	Gauged string course.
" " West Elev.,	Gauged imports, piazza arcade.
" " West Elev.,	Gauged arches and keys, piazza arcade.
" " College,	Gauged flat window arches.
Openings:
Round and Circular Windows:	(a) Michel's Sketch
	(b) Original specifications.
	(c) Larkfield, Kent, England, detail.
	(d) Main Bldg., College of Wm. & Mary, east window detail
	(e) Bruton Church, derelict sash.
Second Floor Windows, conjectural:	(a) General Shape, Bodleian Plate.
	(b) Bruton Church, detail.
	(c) Brafferton Hall, wash brick at sill.
Piazza Arcade:	(a) Bodleian Plate, general form.
	(b) Latrobe's Sketch, form and detail
	(c) Main Bldg., College, detail.
	(d) Original specifications, gen. form.
2.
Stonework:
Piazza Steps,	(a) Bodleian Plate, general form.
	(b) Tuckahoe, curved splay and swirl.
	(c) Derelict step on site, detail.
Piazza Nosing,	(a) Brewton House, Charleston, S.C., detail.
	(b) Waller House, front step, construction
	(c) Derelict step on site, form of moulding.
Roof:
Hip type,	(a) Original specifications.
Conoid over apse,	(a) Old Court House, Smithfield, Va.
Dormers:
Gable type, Bodleian Plate.

Cornice:
Brafferton, detail, (modified).

Cupola:
	(a) Bodleian Plate, general form, hexagon plan, etc.
	(b) House at Dumfries, rusticated siding detail.
	(c) Main Building, College, daguerreotype, louvered openings.
	(d) Oval Window, conjectural.
Weathervane:
	(a) Bodleian Plate.

EAST AND WEST ELEVATIONS:

Fenestration of First Floor:	Mrs. Mumford's Painting, with door moved south ½ bay, window added in former location of door and apse squared out and window added at south end.
Arched windows:	(a) Bodleian Plate, general form.
	(b) Original specifications, general form.
	(c) Bruton Church, muntin and transom, detail.
Second Floor Windows:	See South Elevation.
3.
Doorway:
	(a) Latrobe's sketch of Piazza, general form.
	(b) Bruton Church, Panel Detail, Tympanium, etc.
	(c) Original specifications, general form.
	(d) Michel's Sketch, general form.

Brickwork of Doorway:
	(a) Main Bldg., College, East Elevation.

Steps:
	(a) Original specifications, diameter, number of risers.

Other Features:	See South Elevation.

Balcony:	Hampton Court, detail of Ironwork.

NORTH ELEVATION:

Courtyard Doorways:	(a) Bodleian Plate, general form.
	(b) President's House, College, Detail.
Steps:	(a) Tuckahoe, detail.
	(b) Bodleian Plate, general form.
Cartouche:	(a) Letter of Francis Nicholson, elements.
	(b) Bray Monument, Bruton Churchyard, design
	(c) Various English examples of carved brickwork.
Other Features:	See South Elevation.
Piazza:	(a) Original Specifications )
	(b) Virginia Gazette, Aug.27,1756 )
	(c) Bodleian Plate ) Stone Floor.
	(d) Latrobe's Sketch )
	See also "Piazza" notes under South Elevation.

THE CAPITOL
INTERIOR

(*See General Note at end of Record.)

GENERAL COURT ROOM

(a) Location and size, original specifications and existing foundations.

(b) Floor, Purbeck Stone, specified stone, fragments of Purbeck stone found on site.

(c) Raised apse floor, original specifications.

(d) Panelling, Act of May 10, 1705, wainscoat.

" Glemham, Suffolk, England, general type.
" Chelsea Hospital, Governor's House, panel mould, detail.
" Abingdon Church, detail of chair rail & base.
" Michel's Sketch, dog ear at impost.
" Page House, dog ear at base of architrave.
" Bruton Church, detail of pilasters at apse.
" William Paine's Book, Modified typical Inigo Jones Cornice.

(e) Sash, Bruton Church, detail of muntin and of circular and oval sash.

" Larkfield, Bradbourn, Kent, general design circular and oval sash.
" Lee House, Williamsburg (2 houses E. of Raleigh Tavern, now gone), derelict sash, detail of meeting rail, with top of lower sash beaded.

(f) Plastered Splay of circular and oval windows, Main Bldg., College, great Hall and Chapel.

(g) Galleries, Gadsby's Tavern, general form.

" Roper House, baluster detail (modified).
" (No precedent for remainder of detail of galleries. Typical Georgian work.)

(h) Architectural Furniture: (No precedent for work of this period in Virginia, but it was attempted to treat this in characteristic vein, the seating requirements being made clear by the colonial records: The Governor, 12 Judges, Sheriff and Clerk. The design is therefore entirely a new creation, influenced by contemporary furniture.)

(i) Window and Door Trim: St. George Tucker House.

(j) Walnut Doors: Exterior, Christ Church, Lancaster, material.

" " Interior, Randolph-Peachy House, material.

(k) Color: Original specifications - "Painted like marble".

HOUSE OF BURGESSES

(a)	Location and size)	See GENERAL COURT ROOM.
(b)	Floor)	Same conditions apply.
(c)	Raised apse floor)
(d)	Raised platforms at sides,	original specifications.
(e)	Dado,	original specifications.
		Dinwiddie House - detail of chair rail and base.
		Bruton Church Door - detail of panel mould (modified).
(f)	Sash,	see GENERAL COURT ROOM, same conditions apply.
(g)	Benches,	original specifications.
		St. Stephen's, South Carolina, detail.
(h)	Pilasters,	Gunston Hall, detail.
(i)	Railing and gate,	original specifications.
(j)	Keystones in arch windows and door,	Toddbury, detail.
(k)	Cornice,	see GENERAL COURT ROOM.
(l)	Coat of Arms,	original specifications, Governor's Council
		Bookplate, detail.
(m)	Color,	original specifications (wainscot color).
(n)	Wall Surface,	plaster above dado, Page House.
(o)	Window & Door Trim;	St. George Tucker House, detail.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Detail similar to GENERAL COURT ROOM, but panelling above dado omitted. Dado detail,

see CONFERENCE ROOM.

OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF BURGESSES

All detail similar to HOUSE OF BURGESSES.

WEST STAIRHALL

(a)	Location and size,	see GENERAL COURT, same conditions apply.
(b)	Floor, antique pine, not yet selected.
(c)	Dado, cap follows handrail;	Shirley, detail of base.
(d)	Stair spandrel,	Kenmore, arrangement of panels.
(e)	Pedimented doorway,	Shirley, detail, modified to omit finial.
(f)	Transom bar,	house near Croaker, door under stair, architrave detail.
(g)	Newel,	Nightengale House, detail.
(h)	Stair handrail,	Rutland Lodge, Petersham, England, detail.
(i)	Stair stringer,	Castle Bromwich, Warwickshire, England, detail.
(j)	Balusters,	Park Hall, Oswestry, England, detail.
(k)	Cornice,	see GENERAL COURT.
(l)	Landing balustrade in front of window,	Shirley, general form.
(m)	Pendants under posts, second floor,	Rochambeau-Vernon House, Newport, R. I., detail.
6.
(n)	Pendants under posts, landing and third floor,	Wythe House, detail.
(o)	Paneled Soffits,	Harewood, Jefferson County, West Va.(formerly Virginia), arrangement.
(p)	Paneled Facia in Stair Well,	State House, Newport, Rhode Island, arrangement.
(q)	Blind Door to Gallery,	Solitude, Philadelphia.
(r)	Color,	Act of May 10, 1705, marbleizing.

EAST STAIRHALL:

(a)	General type,	Wythe House (but open string changed to closed.)
(b)	Floor,	See WEST STAIRHALL.
(c)	Dado,	Wythe House, before alteration.
	" Chair rail,	Dinwiddie House, detail.
	" Base ,	Nightengale House, detail.
(d)	Stair spandrel,	Wythe House, arrangement of panels.
(e)	Transom bar,	same as WEST STAIRHALL.
(f)	Stair Handrail,	44 Great Ormond Street, London, detail.
(g)	Stair Stringer,	Bruton Church gallery stair, detail.
(h)	Balusters,	St. Michael's Church, Charleston, S.C., detail.
(i)	Cornice,	Brandon, general type.
(j)	Paneled Facia in Stairwell,	see WEST STAIRHALL.
(k)	Cornice, second floor Hall,	Brandon, general type.
(l)	Color,	Act of May 10, 1705, wainscoat color.

LOBBY, SECOND FLOOR:

(a)	Location,	Hugh Jones, "Present State of Virginia".
(b)	Floor,	pine (not yet selected).
(c)	Dado, chair rail,	Dinwiddie House, detail.
		Base , Shirley, detail.
(d)	Window,	Rosewell, extra width in masonry.
	"	Kensington Banqueting Hall, London, folding panels under.
(e)	Cornice,	Brandon, dentilled type.
(f)	Doorways, inter Pediments,	Shirley, type.
(g)	Cartouches
(h)	Color,	Act of May 10, 1705, marbleizing.
(i)	Jamb reveal treatment to Conference Room,	St. Michael's, Charleston, S. C.

COUNCIL CHAMBER:

(a)	Location,	Hugh Jones, "Present State of Virginia".
(b)	Floor,	pine (not yet selected).
(c)	Panelling,	Marmion, general type.
		Gunston Hall, detail of Pilaster.
		Brandon, type of cornice.
7.
(d)	Carved Pilaster Cap Moulding,	Ormley Lodge, Ham, Surry, England, detail.
(e)	Chair rail,	St. Anslem's School, Croydon, England, detail.
(f)	Base, Chapter House,	St. Paul's Cathedral, London, detail.
(g)	Architraves,	Dinwiddie House, detail.
(h)	Window seats,	Sabine Hall, type.
(i)	Stair to Gallery,	Roper House, handrail, newel cap.
	" " "	Main Farm, baluster.
(j)	Sash,	see GENERAL COURT ROOM.

CONFERENCE ROOM:

(a)	Location,	Hugh Jones, "Present State of Virginia".
(b)	Size,	Original specifications.
(c)	Floor,	pine (not yet selected).
(d)	Dado Cap,	Bedford Square, London, detail.
(e)	Dado Base,	Molins, Riegate, England, detail.
(f)	Window motive,	Brandon, type.
(g)	Cornice,	See GENERAL COURT ROOM.

COMMITTEE ROOMS:

(a)	Locations,	Hugh Jones, "Present State of Virginia".
	" Report, April 9, 1703.
(b)	Floor,	pine, (not yet selected).
(c)	Dado Rail)
(d)	Dado Base)	Dinwiddie House, detail.
(e)	Cornice,	Brandon, type.
(f)	Window treatment,	Wythe House, type with paneled apron added.
(g)	North window in Central Committee Room,	see LOBBY.

THIRD FLOOR ROOMS:

(a)	Plan conjectural)
(b)	Allocation of rooms)	Nicholson's message of April 27, 1704.
(c)	Base,	Roper House, detail.
(d)	Floors,	pine, (not yet selected).
(e)	Dormer,	Bland House, type.
(f)	Stair to Cupola,	see COUNCIL CHAMBER.

*NOTE: All of the Interior is conjectural as to exact form and design. As no precedent of the same period and scale in Virginia remains, English precedent, together with subsequent Virginia work, was used, modified to the requirements of the design.

Note all sunk panel moulds based on Bruton Church door; all architraves, unless otherwise noted, from Dinwiddie House.

T.T. Waterman

Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library