Architectural Report: East and West Advance Buildings of the Governor's Palace Block 20 Building 3
INTERIOR VIEW OF THE WEST ADVANCE BUILDING (THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE) LOOKING NORTH. THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN SHORTLY AFTER THE CIVIL WAR. IT HAS BEEN OF EXTREME VALUE AS A TRUE AND REVEALING RECORD OF THE TWO ADVANCE BUILDINGS. IT INDICATED THE ROOF SLOPE, CHARACTER OF CHIMNEY BRICKWORK, THE INTERIOR PLACEMENT OF CHIMNEYS, MANTEL LOCATION AND THE POSSIBLE DOORWAY AT RIGHT OF CHIMNEY. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS DOORWAY MAY HAVE GIVEN ACCESS TO THE COVERED WAY LEADING TO THE PALACE.
ARCHITECTURAL REPORT
EAST AND WEST ADVANCE BUILDINGS
OF THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE
Block 20
Reconstructed between March 1932 and April 1931.
The architects for the reconstruction of the East and West Advance Buildings were Perry, Shaw and Hepburn of Boston, Massachusetts. They were assisted by their Williamsburg staff consisting of:
Walter Macomber, Resident Architect
Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin, Restoration Associate
Arthur A. Shurcliff, in charge of landscape restoration
A. E. Kendrew, Chief Draftsman
Herbert S. Ragland, in charge of archaeological work
Prentice Duell, Consulting Archaeologist
Gerry Lambert, Clerk of the Works
Orin Bullock, Field Superintendent for the architects
Todd and Brown, Incorporated, Engineer-ContractorsHarold R. Shurtleff was Director of Research and Records in the Department of Architecture, and was assisted by:
Rutherfoord Goodwin, Assistant Director of Research
Mary Goodwin, Secretary
Helen Bullock, Research Assistant
Leah James, Research AssistantSusan Higgison Nash and James Cogar were responsible for furniture, furnishings and color.
Outbuildings - under direction of Singleton P. Moorehead
This architectural report was prepared by A. Lawrence Kocher. Notes on the East Advance Building were compiled by Thomas T. Waterman and are included without modification at the end of this report.
August 15, 1952.
OUTBUILDINGS OF THE PALACE
OVER TWENTY PALACE DEPENDENCIES
It was estimated by the Research Department of Colonial Williamsburg (1932) that from records and foundation evidence there were about twenty-two dependencies on the Palace site. These lesser buildings, Kitchen, Laundry, Smokehouse, etc., were mostly clustered around paved service yards, to the west of the Palace. As in many English layouts of a similar period and size, the individual outbuildings within the service courts were not necessarily placed in any formal order, but seem to have sprung up as need caused them to be built, although convenience of location must have received consideration. The two flanking buildings that partly enclose a forecourt to the Palace are not in a true sense outbuildings but are an administrative part of the house of the Governor - seat of the colonial government. Not all of the outbuildings listed on the following pages were in existence at the same time. Some may have become obsolete or were superseded by new buildings. Insurance policies throw some light upon the later outbuildings and indicate the addition of some new structures during the early nineteenth century.
Edmund Randolph held title to Palace property after 1784, following the burning of the Palace. He, at that time, repaired the two Advance Buildings for use as places of residence, living there himself for a period that extended into the nineteenth century. Robert S. Bright also lived in one of the converted buildings after the time of Edmund Randolph.
The location of the outbuildings was determined by three factors: 3
BASIS FOR THE LOCATION OF OUTBUILDINGS
- 1.Foundations and their characteristics were a chief reason for locating outbuildings in the reconstruction scheme.
- 2.Outbuildings are shown near the Palace on eighteenth century maps, such as the Simcoe, the Rochambeau and the Frenchman's maps. These maps, each, contribute something to our knowledge of the Palace grounds, including the gardens and enclosures.
- 3.Kip 's views of English estates, although not contemporary with the Palace, were examined for their planning schemes, specifically as an aid in arriving at what was common practice with respect to the placing of kitchens, quarters and gardens.
While practically all of the Virginia plantations were built subsequent to the Palace, they too were examined, with the rather surprising observation that symmetry of outbuilding location was to become a rather fixed tradition in Virginia. Among these, where symmetry in one form or another prevails, are Tuckahoe, Goochland County; Mount Vernon; Shirley, Charles City County; Mount Airy, Richmond County.
SUMMARY:
The excavations of the Governor's Palace foundations discloses a broad division of a symmetrical layout, but that outbuildings occur irregularly within the regularly planned yards. This is very much as was done in typical English examples, as illustrated by Kip 's views and as illustrated in many Virginia examples.
4| Block | Bldg. No. | Building | Started | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 3A | Palace | December,1931 | April,1934 |
| 20 | 3B | West Flanking Building | March, 1932 | April,1934 |
| 20 | 3C | East Flanking Building | March, 1932 | April,1934 |
| 20 | 3E | East Outbuilding | April, 1934 | June, 1934 |
| 20 | 3F | East Outbuilding | April, 1934 | June, 1934 |
| 20 | 3G | East Well | September, 1933 | April,1934 |
| 20 | 3H | Scullery | January, 1933 | August,1933 |
| 20 | 31 | Stable | (not reconstructed) | |
| 20 | 3J | Kitchen | January, 1933 | August,1933 |
| 20 | 3K | Dairy | ||
| 20 | 3L | Smokehouse | January, 1933 | August,1933 |
| 20 | 3M | Laundry | January, 1933 | August,1933 |
| 20 | 3N | Oven | ||
| 20 | 3P | Salthouse | January, 1933 | August,1933 |
| 20 | 3Q | West Well | January, 1933 | August,1933 |
| 20 | 3R | Hexagonal | September, 1933 | April,1934 |
| 20 | 3S | Southeast Outbuilding | September, 1933 | April,1934 |
| 20 | 3T | Caretaker's House | September, 1933 | April,1934 |
| 20 | 3U | East Outbuilding | ||
| 20 | 3V | Privy (Tool House) | February, 1934 | May., 1934 |
| 20 | 3W | West Garden House | April., 1934 | September,1934 |
| 20 | 3X | East Garden House | April, 1934 | September,1934 |
| 20 | 3Y | Toolhouse | April, 1934 | September,1934 |
| 20 | 3Z | Icehouse | ||
| 20 | 3D | Bagnio September,l933 | April,1934 |
EAST AND WEST ADVANCE BUILDINGS OF THE PALACE
EAST AND WEST ADVANCE BUILDINGS OF THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE
(Reconstructed 1932-1934)
BLOCK 20.
ACT OF 1705 FOR BUILDING THE TWO ADVANCE BUILDINGS
The two advance buildings or offices were planned as an essential part of the original Palace group. They were described in the Act of 1705 as follows: "that a kitchen and stable suitable for such an house be likewise built. . . ." Their location in advance of the Palace produced a forecourt that was soon enclosed behind a wall with a gate on the axis of the Palace. In July 1730 the Governor's House was reported as being "very inconvenient for want of a covered way from the offices into the House" and "a Sum not exceeding one Hundred 7 Pounds" was appropriated "for Building a Covered Way from the Offices belonging to the Governor's House into the said House." *
A leading subject calling for interpretation by the architects in 1932-33 was the uses to which the two buildings had been put. In brief, to what eighteenth century purposes should they be restored?
An extended listing of Pros and Cons, favoring and rejecting the idea of kitchen and stable as flanking buildings, was drawn up. These arguments are summarized in the addenda, attached to this report. It was finally decided to accept the specific statement of the historian Henry Howe, who in 1745 (Historical Collection of Virginia, p. 328) said: "… two small brick structures, the remains of the Palace… that on the right was the office, and the one on the left the guard house." Fiske Kimball acknowledges the same building usage in saying: "The Palace was flanked on either side by a small brick house - that on the right being the office of the Governor; that on the left, the guard house" ….**
The Bodleian Plate engraving is a leading guide, along with the excavated foundations, for the reconstruction of the two Advance Buildings.
8
Photograph of the PALACE - WEST ADVANCE BUILDING taken from the north, soon after the Civil War.
This remarkable photograph provided information on: chimney brickwork, brick bond, use of glazed headers along roof edge and an all-over pattern, roof slope, and (by brick count) finally, the approximate height of the Advance Buildings.
Most important were actual photographs said to have been taken soon after the Civil War. These show the north wall and chimney, with fireplace openings. It was these photographs that provided the design and architectural details of the gable ends or both advance buildings. In addition the brick bonding, and fireplace sizes were noted. The fireplace openings were not strictly followed because of known modifications that occur in the life of any chimney and also because it was soon decided to 9 reconstruct the interior with use of salvage mantels, procured from Virginia buildings of the eighteenth century. We have reported elsewhere the use of the chimney photographs in reconstructing the tops of chimneys of the Palace.
Engraving from Howe's Historical Collection of Virginia, 1846
The wood engraving in Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution shows the two advance buildings as identical. Their fenestration, shown on the Lossing's engraving, coincides with the window scheme of the Bodleian Plate. The dormer arrangement is also indicated.
Fragmentary remains of the foundation gave, with exactness, the width of the building, as well as the location of the north wall. There was, however, no trace of the south wall, except for the uncovering of a trench which it had probably occupied and which had been filled in with debris. This line of debris coincides with the point where the forecourt wall stopped. It was upon this evidence that the overall length of the buildings was established.
10 WEST ADVANCE BUILDING
Of the Governor's Palace
Block 20, Building 3B
EXTERIOR DESIGN
ROOF COVERING
The roof was covered with asbestos-cement shingles, developed by Colonial Williamsburg as a firesafe substitute for wood shingles. They were manufactured with a finish and ingredients that acquire a gray and old appearance resembling century old wood shingles.
DORMER WINDOWS
The roof dormers on the forecourt side are five in number with a hip roof, as shown on the Bodleian Plate. They are likewise similar to the early dormers on the Richard Bland (Bland-Wetherburn) House, on Duke of Gloucester Street.
CORNICE
The cornice of Brafferton Hall was used as a model for the cornice of both the east and west advance buildings. This same model was followed for the Palace. In the case of the lesser buildings, the size of moldings was modified.
GUTTERS AND LEADERS
Following the Palace example, no gutters or leaders were used. However, brick spatter gutters were reconstructed on lines of old ones found at the site.
WALL SURFACE
Brick work on the two building exteriors was laid with Flemish bond, showing a scattering of glazed headers. The existence of random glazed headers is shown on one of the Jones photographs. Typical rubbed brick window and door jambs and corners were adopted as well as a beveled water-table, following an example at Kingsmill, James City County. Beveled bricks were found in the excavations.
11
THE TWO FLANKING BUILDINGS OF THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE CONTINUED IN EXISTENCE (OCCUPIED AS DWELLINGS) UNTIL THE CIVIL WAR, WHEN THEY WERE DESTROYED BY FEDERAL TROOPS. THE BUILDING AT LEFT IS THE CARTER-SAUNDERS HOUSE WHICH SERVED AS A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE FOR GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE AT MID-EIGHTEENTH CENTURY, WHILE THE PALACE WAS BEING RENOVATED. THIS WATERC0LOR WAS MADE BY THOMAS CHARLES MILLINGTON, 1837-48.
NOTES FOR STOOPS
None.
FRONT DOOR
The doorway without hand or special treatment is in accord with the Bodleian Plate evidence. Its details repeat the doorway appearance of one at Four Mile Tree.
WINDOWS FOLLOW THE BODLEIAN PLATE
The window arrangement in the brick wall, as for dormers, repeats the scheme represented on the Bodleian Plate. Dormers face both east and west. Their molded design was derived from Toddsbury in Gloucester County, although larger in scale. The detail of muntins and sash come from windows of Bruton Church.
SHUTTERS
There were no shutters.
BASEMENT WALL
The brick wall below the water table was laid in English bond. There was no brick wall that survived to indicate the wall above the water table. The upper wall was rebuilt with Flemish bond to accord with the known upper brickwork of the Palace.
CHIMNEYS
The chimney designs were established by photographs in the Jones Collection.
BARGE BOARDS END BOARDS ETC
There are no end or corner boards. The barge boards at the two gable ends of each building are a facsimile reproduction of the same feature shown on an English building photostat, purchased from Stevenson & Brown of London (1932).
GENERAL NOTES
There are stone steps at the east entrance, two risers. There are also stone steps (pyramidal) at the west entrance. Stone material is Portland stone, to match samples found in the excavation.
13NORTH AND SOUTH ELEVATIONS
The notes pertaining to the east and west elevations apply here to the north and south sides, except that the photograph showed a line of glazed brick following the rake of the gable. This has been duplicated in the rebuilding.
COLOR
All exterior woodwork is painted Color #271.
INTERIOR
NORTH ROOM
GENERAL NOTES
There was no evidence to show the finish of the interior of the Advance Buildings. The interior woodwork, floors, cornices, walls, etc., follow the accepted practice of early eighteenth century. L. G. Tyler said in 1893 that the two buildings contained two large rooms below and two above. Such a division with a stairway between is shown with fair definiteness by the foundations. The story height was conjecture since no data existed, as with the Palace, to determine this. The early photograph with some indication of brick courses, did give a fairly accurate idea of the ceiling height.
FLOORS
All floors are of old, previously used pine flooring.
FLOOR NAILS
Flooring was laid by face nailing, with use of colonial type wrought iron nails.
BEAMS
There are no exposed structional beams. The building is of reinforced concrete construction, with brick facing - and plastered interiors on terra cotta tile. All of the partitions are of tile, 14 plastered. First floor rooms have a dado.
CEILING
The ceiling is of plaster applied to metal lath. The finish coat is slightly roughened in the manner of old plaster.
BASEBOARD
There is no baseboard. The bottom rail of the dado takes the place of a base.
CHAIR RAIL
The chair railing was derived from the railing of the Brush Everard House.
CORNICE
The lower cornices are fully molded, similar to the cornice in the hallway of the Tayloe House.
PANELING OR WAINSCOT
The wainscot paneling detail is from the Brush-Everard House.
MANTEL
The mantel in this room is a salvaged one, from an eighteenth century house in Nansemond County, near Norfolk.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
The splay of fireplace jambs was indicated on the foundation brickwork. The brick hearth is similar to the hearth of the Moody House.
WINDOW SASH
The window details are: sash similar to Bruton; window trim is like the trim of Carter-Saunders House.
CLOSETS
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
The door paneling repeats the door design of "Ditchley", Surry County. (Destroyed 1929)
15METAL WORK FOR DOORS
Hardware for the Advance Buildings were largely reproductions of approved old models, purchased elsewhere or made by a local blacksmith. For this building use was made of Krug Reproduction brass locks, 4½" x 8" colonial design. Door hinges, generally, were H L type, reproductions.
COLOR
Woodwork for the interior of the west advance building was painted a light-gray-green, based upon a color found on the old mantel. The walls are whitewashed.
EQUIPMENT
Heating grilles were placed under each window. There are four base receptacles and one ceiling outlet.
SOUTH ROOM
FLOOR
Old pine flooring recovered from another building.
FLOOR NAILS
These are of wrought iron, known as cut nails, applied as face nailing in eighteenth century manner.
BEAMS
There are no exposed structural beams. The building is reconstructed with reinforced concrete and tile.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
Walls are brick on exterior, backed with tile - as furring. Plaster and dado base are applied directly to the tile backing.
CEILING
The ceiling is of plaster applied to metal lath.
16BASEBOARD
There is no baseboard since the lower part of dado forms the baseboard.
CHAIR RAIL
The chair railing is based upon two examples of the Brush-Everard House.
CORNICE
A full molded interior cornice is a replica of the one in the Tayloe House.
PANELING OR WAINSCOT
Here again wood details from the Brush-Everard House were used as a model for the wainscot paneling in the advance buildings.
MANTEL
The mantel in this room is an old one, obtained from a Virginia house of the eighteenth century. It was not possible to learn the identity of this house since the mantel was purchased from a dealer.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
Both the splayed sides to the fireplace and the brick hearth repeat the fireplace of the Moody House.
WINDOWS
The window sash was attributed to Bruton Church by T.T.W. who worked on the building. The window trim is from the Carter-Saunders House.
CLOSETS
There are no known closets in the two advance buildings, notwithstanding the eighteenth century vogue for this feature of a plan.
17
WATER COLOR SKETCH OF THE EAST ADVANCE BUILDING- GOVERNOR'S PALACE , MADE BY LEZERETT J. CRANSTON, 1859-60. THIS EARLY DRAWING SHOWS THE ADDITION OF A NINETEENTH CENTURY BAY WINDOW AND ALSO A WING WITH PORCH AT THE EAST SIDE. THE LATTER MAY, P0SSIBLY, HAVE BEEN BUILT OVER OLD FOUNDATIONS OF THE PALACE STABLE, THOUGHT TO BE IN THIS GENERAL LOCATION.
DOORS AND TRIM
DOOR DETAIL
- a.The panel arrangement of doors repeats the panel scheme of "Ditchley", Northumberland County, Eastern Shore.
- b.Panel Molds are from the Brush-Everard House.
- c.Door trim is from Mantura, Surry County.
METAL WORK ON DOORS
H L Hinges were used for doors. "Krug" Reproduction Locks (4½" x 8") were applied to doors. See North Room for further information on hardware.
EQUIPMENT
Heat grills are beneath each window sill. There are five base receptacles and one ceiling outlet.
COLOR
Woodwork is painted a horseflesh red (Spanish Brown) similar to a red color found on one of the antique mantels installed in the West Advance Building. Walls are whitewashed.
SECOND FLOOR
(NORTH ROOM)
FLOOR
The flooring is old, reused pine from another building.
FLOOR NAILS
Eighteenth century type cut nails were used.
BEAMS
None - there are steel trusses above ceiling.
19WALL AND WALL COVERING
Room under roof is plastered on gypsum. Plastering was given a slightly rough surface in imitation of early plaster.
BASE BOARD
Beaded edge board, similar to the base doors in the Moody House.
CHAIR RAIL
None.
CORNICE
None.
PANELING OR WAINSCOT
None.
MANTEL
This mantel was made of material from an old Nansemond County chimney piece.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
Moody House - precedent
DOOR AND TRIM
Panel arrangement is like "Ditchley", Northumberland County. The trim is a copy of that from the Brush-Everard House.
METAL WORK ON DOORS
H L Hinges, Reproductions "Krug" Locks, 4½" x 8" -colonial design.
COLOR
Woodwork, pale ochre walls; ceilings were whitewashed.
All of these notes on the North Room also apply to the South Room, except colors are as follows: 20
| Woodwork - | Red - like South Room of First Floor. |
| Walls - | Whitewash. |
| For Building 3C (South Room) - | Walls, woodwork and ceiling whitewash. This treatment of walls with lime was a most common finish for plastering throughout the eighteenth century. |
STAIR HALL
FLOOR
The floor is old, reused pine.
NAILS
Cut type, wrought iron.
BEAMS
No beams or exposed structural members.
WALL AND WALL COVERING
Partitions are of terra cotta tile and as lining to the exterior brick walls. Plaster and wood dado applied to terra cotta tile.
CEILING
The ceiling is metal lath, plastered.
BASE BOARD
Beaded base on second floor dado rail forms base; dado stops at top wall post.
CHAIR RAIL
The chair railing repeats the one in the Brush-Everard stair hall. Also see details of the dining room rail of same house.
CORNICE
The cornice in hall is fully molded as in the Tayloe House and given a rich appearance by its material - walnut.
PANELING OR WAINSCOT
The panel type is like that of the Brush-Everard House.
21MANTEL
None.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
None.
WINDOWS
None.
CLOSETS
None.
DOORS AND TRIM
Panel arrangement of door is like doors of "Ditchley", Northumberland County. The trim is as was found in Mantua, Surry County. (Burned 1929)
METAL WORK ON DOORS
All hinges in both buildings (hallway) are antique H L Hinges. Locks are "Krug" Reproductions, Colonial Design. Exterior Doors are equipped with two No. 1 Reproduction door bolts.
COLOR
3B Adv. Bldg.
Woodwork - "Wainscot brown"; Bevels of woodwork and balusters a lighter color. Halls are whitewashed. Handrail and newel are painted a "Neal House Red".
COLOR
3C Adv. Bldg.
Woodwork - Green as in North Room. Walls - whitewashed. Handrails and newel - red.
EQUIPMENT
There is one heater grille in the hallway; two ceiling outlets.
RISERS AND TREADS
All risers and treads are of pine, unpainted.
NEWEL POST AND HAND RAIL
The newel is plain; handrail is a modified version of the rail at Carter's Grove.
22BALUSTERS
The balusters were created on the drafting board in the manner of typical Williamsburg balusters, such as in the Moody, Lightfoot, and Carter-Saunders houses.
STRINGER
The stringer is closed, based in part on Carter-Saunders House stringer.
LANDING
There are two landings but these are without special features.
BASEMENT
VAULT IN EAST ADVANCE BUILDING
The basement of the East building was unexcavated except for a small space under the east end of the hall. This was assumed to be a possible treasury. It was restored as such with a brick vault (as at Amphill, built by Henry Cary, the overseer of the Palace.) It was provided with a heavily sheathed door, much like the one at the old gaol near the Capitol. The floor of this vault is mainly original stone which is thought to be Purbeck stone.
The stair to the basement is built with old fragments and renewed parts. The risers and treads are brick with wood nosing. The old foundations were unsuitable to incorporate in the reconstruction and so were removed, except the inner walls of the treasury.
JAIL LOCK FROM LEESBURG, VIRGINIA
The lock on the door to the East basement vault is from the old gaol at Leesburg, Virginia. The wrought iron hinges and straps were reproduced from colonial designs similar to those of the old gaol in Williamsburg.
EAST ADVANCE BUILDING
The East Advance Building of the Governor's Palace was reconstructed at the same time as the Palace, 1932-34. Most of its details, woodwork, cornice, stairs, etc., are identical in the two buildings. Where there are departures, as for mantels and paint color, a note is made of these changes.
EAST ADVANCE BUILDING
Of the Governor's Palace
Block 20, Building 3C
(Reconstructed)
Note: The following information on the East Advance Building of the Palace was prepared by Thomas T. Waterman, August 29, 1932. This date was prior to the final completion of the building since the construction of the East and West Advance Buildings was carried out between March, 1932 and April, 1934. It is possible that the Waterman notes were written down after research was completed and drawings were made. The Waterman notes are edited here with a few modifications in phrase, but without alteration in information jotted down, at the time when the construction work was being completed.
Much of the basic evidence for the reconstruction of the exterior consisted of excellent photographs that showed the roof slope, chimney details, brickwork, design of gable ends, and some dimensions. Archaeology supported the photographic evidence and established the size of the buildings. Illustrations from books published while the two flanking buildings were still standing were also of use to the designer, Among these publications are Howe's Historical Collections and Loosing's Field Book of the American Revolution. Here again the buildings are shown to have been identical. The balanced nature of their location demanded strict symmetry of mesa. The discovery of various fragments of stone, brick and metal proved of use in establishing hardware details, brick size, nature of roof and something of the type of steps leading to a cellar vault. The reader of this report is asked to examine the accompanying report on the two buildings, since mate features considered in the foregoing account are 25 pertinent to the East Advance Building. Examination of working drawings in the files of Colonial Williamsburg, together with the specifications will be needed to supplement this listing of materials and their application.
EXTERIOR
EAST AND WEST ELEVATIONS
SHINGLES
These are of asbestos.
DORMER WINDOWS
Hip dormers as shown on the Bodleian Plate and like dormers on the Richard Bland House.
CORNICE
Scaled from Brafferton Hall.
GUTTER AND LEADERS
No gutters or leaders except brick spatter gutters, as on old examples.
WALL SURFACE
Brick laid with Flemish bond, random glazed headers as shown on Jones's photograph after the Civil War. Rubbed brick jambs and corners; beveled water-table, as found in excavation. Precedent from Kingsmill, near Williamsburg.
FRONT DOOR
Inspired by Four Mile Tree example.
WINDOWS
Arranged as on Bodleian Plate. General design of Toddsbury studied. Detail of muntins, etc., modified from Bruton Church.
SHUTTERS
None.
BASEMENT WALL
English bond below grade, no surviving wall above, but following main Palace.
CHIMNEYS
Established by Jones's Photographs.
BARGE BOARDS OF GABLE
As shown on sketch of building from England. Stevenson and Brown of London supplied the photographic news.
26GENERAL NOTES
Stone steps at West entrance, two risers, pyramid from established foundations. Stone steps also at East entrance, straight run of four risers, with platform established by foundations, as scrolled step at bottom. Material for steps -Portland stone.
NORTH AND SOUTH ELEVATIONS
The notes regarding the East and West Elevations apply to these elevations, except that the photograph showed a line of glazed brick following the rake of the gable.
COLOR
See color notes under the Palace.
INTERIOR
There was no evidence as to the finish of the interior. The interior rooms, therefore, were treated as characteristic of the type of house in Williamsburg of the approximate date of the Palace. The story height is conjectural.
FIRST FLOOR, NORTH ROOM
FLOOR
Antique pine (previously used flooring).
FLOOR NAILS
"Antique Cut" nails.
BEAMS
No beams, concrete pan system construction.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
Brick walls, terra cotta tile furring covered with plaster and dado.
CEILING
Plaster ceiling on metal lath.
BASEBOARD
No base, bottom rail of dado takes place of base.
CHAIR RAIL
Modified from two types in the stair hall in the Page House.
CORNICE
Full molded cornice, like hall of the Elizabeth Coleman House.
27PANELING OR WAINSCOT
Type and detail of panel mold from the Page House.
MANTEL
Antique mantel from Hancock Lee House in Fauquier County. In original location mantel cornice carried around room.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
Splay of jambs shown on foundations, hearth like Roper House.
WINDOWS
Sash modified from Bruton, trim from Dinwiddie House.*
CLOSETS
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
Panel arrangement from Ditchley, Northumberland County. Panel mold, Page House; trim, Mantura, Surry County (burned 1929).
METAL WORK ON DOOR
One pair of antique HL hinges. New "Krug" reproduction brass lock, 4½" x 8", colonial design.
COLOR
Woodwork - green to match old mantel. Rails, stiles, bevels -yellow as directed. Walls - whitewash.
EQUIPMENT
Heat grille under each window. Four base plugs, one ceiling outlet.
FIRST FLOOR, SOUTH ROOM
FLOOR
Antique pine.
FLOOR NAILS
"Antique cut" nails.
BEAMS
No beams, concrete pan system construction.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
Brick with terra cotta furring, covered with plaster and dado.
CEILING
Plaster on metal lath.
BASEBOARD
None.
CHAIR RAIL
Modified from two types in the stair hall, Page House.
CORNICE
Full molded cornice as in the Elizabeth Coleman stair hall.
PANELING OR WAINSCOT
Type and detail of panel mold from Page House.
28MANTEL
Antique mantel from Hancock Lee House in Fauquier County; in original location mantel cornice carried around room.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
Splay of jambs shown on foundation, hearth like Roper House.
WINDOWS
Sash modified from Bruton, trim from Dinwiddie House.
CLOSETS
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
Panel arrangement like Ditchley, Northumberland County. Panel mold, Page House; trim, Mantura, Surry County (burned 1929).
METAL WORK ON DOOR
One pair of HL antique hinges. One new "Krug" reproduction lock, 4½" x 8", colonial design.
COLOR
Woodwork - red like old red on mantel. Walls - whitewashed.
EQUIPMENT
Heat grilles under each window, five base plugs and one ceiling outlet.
SECOND FLOOR, NORTH ROOM
FLOOR
Antique pine.
FLOOR NAILS
"Antique cut" nails.
BEAMS
Steel roof truss.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
Room under roofs plastered on gypsum.
CEILING
Plaster on gypsum.
BASEBOARD
Beaded base like Roper House.
CHAIR RAIL
None.
CORNICE
None.
PANELING OR WAINSCOT
None.
MANTEL
New mantel of old material, after an antique mantel from Nansemond County.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
Like Roper Lee House.
29CLOSETS
None.
DOOR AND TRIM
Panel arrangement like Ditchley, trim like Mantura, Surry County (burned 1929).
METAL WORK ON DOOR
One pair antique HL hinges. One "Krug" reproduction brass lock, 4½" x 8", colonial design.
COLOR
Walls, woodwork and ceilings - whitewashed.
EQUIPMENT
Heat grilles center of East and West walls. Six base plugs, one center outlet.
GENERAL NOTES
All these notes on the North room also apply exactly to South room.
FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS, STAIRHALL
FLOOR
Antique pine.
FLOOR NAILS
"Antique cut" nails.
BEAMS
No beams, concrete pan system construction.
WALLS AND WALL COVERING
Terra cotta partitions, covered with plaster and dado.
CEILING
Plaster on metal lath.
BASEBOARD
Headed base on second floor, dado stops at top wall post. Dado has no base, bottom rail forming base.
CHAIR RAIL
Modified from two types in Page House stairhall.
CORNICE
Fully molded, like cornice in hall at Elizabeth Coleman House.
PANELING OR WAINSCOT
Type and detail of panel mold from Page House.
MANTEL
None.
FIREPLACE AND HEARTH
None.
WINDOWS
None.
CLOSETS
None.
30DOOR AND TRIM
Panel arrangement like Ditchley, trim like Mantura, Surry County (burned 1929).
METAL WORK ON DOOR
All hinges in both buildings in the stairhalls are antique HL. All locks are "Krug" reproductions, colonial design. Exterior doors are equipped with 2 wrought iron reproduction door bolts.
COLOR
Woodwork - green like North Room, Walls - whitewash. Handrails and newels - red.
EQUIPMENT
One heat grille, two ceiling outlets.
RISERS AND TREADS
Pine, unpainted.
NEWEL POST AND HANDRAIL
Newel plain, handrail modified from Carter's Grove.
BALUSTERS
After style of typical Williamsburg baluster (like the Roper Lee House) modified by vase turning from St. Michael's Church, Charleston, South Carolina.
CLOSED OR OPEN STRING
Closed string, modified from Dinwiddie House.
LANDING
Two landing, no special features on.
BASEMENT
The basement of this building was unexcavated except for a small space under the east end of the hall. This was assumed to be, perhaps, an impromptu treasury and has been restored as such with a brick vault (like a similar one in a similar position at Ampthill, before moving) and a heavy armed sheathed door, much like the one at the old jail near the Capitol. The floor is mainly original stone which would seem to be Purbeck stone. The stair to the first floor is built in accordance with a few fragments of the 31 old ones. The risers and treads are brick with wood nosings. The old foundations were removed except the inner walls of the treasury.
The lock on the door to the basement vault is from the old jail at Leesburg, Virginia. The wrought iron hinges and straps were reproduced from colonial designs similar to those of the old jail in Williamsburg.