Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

1. Review of the Past Evidence

In 1932 Perry, Shaw and Hepburn prepared a report dated March 21st on the First Theatre and its probably form. The report was an explanation of accompanying sketches of the plans and elevations of the building. It included conclusions based on extensive research both documentary and archaeological as well as considerable research in the field of history of the English and American Theatre. Somewhat later, 2 working drawings were partially completed. These drawings modified the designs of the first sketches which were based, in general, on the following conclusions as mentioned in the report.

• A.That the structure on the site under consideration was first used as a theatre, next as a court house or city hall, next to a residence and finally, in this shape, was moved to form the nucleus of the Tucker House (the earliest portion of the Tucker House being almost identical in its overall dimensions.) About this nucleus St. George Tucker built numerous additions until the house assumed the shape to which it is now restored. See attached plan-- Buildings "B" and "B-B". (For this plan and notes concerning it see last page.)
• B.That certain foundations uncovered in fairly good condition established the site and the above noted dimensions. See attached plan--Building "B".
• C.That it would be permissible to use the exterior form of the old portion of the Tucker House as a guide to the design of the main body of the Theatre.
• D.No chimney foundations were noted in the archaeological excavations. This gave weight to the belief that the structure may have been the Theatre.
• E.That the foundations of a smaller structure south of the First Theatre was William Levingston's house (later the Tucker Laundry), Building "C".
• F.That the shaded area "G" and noted "Bowling Green" on the attached plan should be marked in some way to indicate its size. This was done by installing a low curb of boards around the area. Although no dimensions were stated, the Bowling Green was mentioned in the records as being contemporaneous with the First Theatre.

Just before World War II the former drawings and evidence were again reviewed by the Architectural Department. Certain new facts had been determined of which the most important was that the old portion of the Tucker House--Building "B-B"--did not consist originally of the two stories as first thought. This brought about further modifications of the previous designs for the Theatre. Other local precedent, therefore, was used for guidance. With the outbreak of war further study was deferred.

It was always evident to the architects and to informed persons with whom they reviewed the conclusions that certain elements of the design were "out of key" with the use of the building. Of these inherent weaknesses the small size of stage and meeting areas, indeed the whole structure, were the most noticeable--so that some justifiable reservation was held in mind as to the correctness of the solution. These reservations were heightened by realizing the domestic character of the foundations and by the presence of a basement with central partitions. Such elements would be expected in a typical Williamsburg House of the eighteenth century with a central hall and a room on either side of the first floor.

2. New Evidence

If reference is made to the attached plan an area will be noted between Building "B" and the south line of the Brush House lot. This area had not been studied by archaeological excavation. Set back some 25 feet from the street line a modern house with additions extending eastwards occupied part of this area. When the first archaeological excavations were in progress this house was standing and was used as 4 temporary living quarters by tenants of properties under reconstruction or restoration. As the excavations proceeded, conclusions were reached as noted under 1, and it was felt unnecessary to pursue further excavations in the area chiefly because the house occupied so much of the area. Furthermore, the space under the house was partially excavated during its construction. It was felt, therefore, that any old foundations were thereby obliterated.

As time passed, however, the feeling became stronger that this area should be excavated despite the chance of finding negative evidence. Accordingly, permission was obtained form Mr. Coleman to run a series of cross trenches of an exploratory nature over the previously unexcavated area. This preliminary investigation uncovered some early brick foundations. Then more intense study was given this section, and finally, after very careful scrutiny of all evidence found in the soil and of the foundations, traces of a building approximately 30' wide and 80' long were disclosed and recorded. See Building "A" on attached plan.

In the meantime the Research Department had rewritten the former report on the Tucker House and lot, incorporating into the report a mass of new material pertaining to building construction selected form the Tucker Mss. Most pertinent to the problem were several documents concerning the moving of a house of a certain size to the present Tucker House location. See revised research report on Tucker House dated April, 1947, page 7. ("A memorandum (possibly by John Saunders, carpenter) for repairs to be made on a house 40 feet by 18 ½ feet for St. George Tucker shows that Tucker had the carpenter estimate the cost in labor and material 5 to move a house 40 by 18 ½ feet and to repair a house and several outhouses.) This size checks almost exactly with the formerly supposed First Theatre foundation (Building B) and the old portion of the Tucker House (Building B-B). Furthermore, in one of these documents the workmen were directed to salvage as many brick as possible for reuse in the Tucker House. This doubtless accounts for the missing chimney foundations at Site B as noted in reports on the 1931 excavations. Of even greater significance, these documents clarify the situation by establishing the fact that the house which Tucker moved, was originally Williams Levingston's dwelling.

3. New Conclusions

With the new facts at hand the former conclusions were revised as follows:

• A.that the newly uncovered foundations are remains of the First Theatre (Building A). The greater overall size, lack of a basement and the indicated non-domestic character overcome earlier reservations.
• B.Thus, what previously was concluded as the First Theatre was in fact Levingston's House (Building B)--and later moved by Tucker to location "B-B", where it was subsequently altered and extensively enlarged.
• C.That the Building C previously considered as Levingston's House was in fact Levingston's Kitchen.

NOTE: Items A, B and C are upheld by the early references to the buildings concerned, such as:

"The Lotts and Land whereon the Bowling Green formerly was, and the Dwelling house & Kitchen of William Levingston, and the House call'd the play House."

4. Considerations and Possibilities Now to Be Resolved

Notes Concerning Plan of Areas and Structures Under Consideration

The area shown by dotted lines which includes Building A and a small "pavilion" is the property of Colonial Williamsburg acquired from Channing Hall.

The property directly south of this, also shown by dotted lines and including roughly areas B, G and D was a gift by Mr. George P. Coleman and his family to Colonial Williamsburg in memory of his parents.

Attached is a copy of "The First Theatre and Its Site--A Summary of Facts Including New Evidence--December 1, 1947" which you requested. This is for your files and clipped it is a copy of our recommendations concerning further procedure which might likewise be of interest to you.

Attached are four copies of "The First Theatre and Its Site--A Summary of Facts Including New Evidence," dated December 1, 1947, which I prepared to cover briefly the various data concerning the problems to be met in reconstructing the First Theatre including a review of the means by which earlier conclusions were reached and the new evidence recently brought to light. In this report no attempt was made to list recommendations for the reconstruction of the First Theatre. Mr. Chorley has read this report and has asked me to draw up recommendations for submission to the officers of Colonial Williamsburg. Accordingly, I am listing these recommendations for the future reconstruction of the building.

Mr. William G. Perry of the firm of our consulting architects, Perry, Shaw and Hepburn, read the report and discussed it with Mr. Kendrew and me on his last visit. The various recommendations have his approval.

It is proposed that the First Theatre by reconstructed, furnished appropriately and as authentically as possible and that it be made an exhibit. As mentioned in the report there are certain limiting factors which must be given consideration, the most important of which is the fact that we have little information about the design of the structure. Whatever form the design might take would, therefore, by hypothetical although it would depend on known facts concerning the arrangement and operation of small theatres in eighteenth century England and America. Since both design and operation of theatres at that time were highly conventionalized, it would be possible to support the design and details, operating devices, etc. in a reasonably stable manner. But even so, it must be admitted that the design would be manufactured almost completely on supposition.

It is further recommended that the Levingston House not be restored. The Levingston Kitchen could be revised to its earlier form, but it would appear wiser to leave it as it is including the west side of the Tucker Coleman property.

Fortunately, the First Theatre, if reconstructed, would be as far distant from the main house as possible on the lot. The bowling green might well be reconstructed, but the balance of the Tucker Lot would be of the period of the Tucker House. This would not preclude, however, reconstructing the Levingston House and altering the Levingston Kitchen and revising the landscaping on the west side of the Tucker Lot if the need for doing so arose in the future. It is also recommended that the reconstruction of Gilmer's Apothecary Shop not be done. Although here again this possibility would not be ruled out for the future.

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