The Tayloe House was constructed between 1752 and 1759. Col. John Tayloe, one of the wealthiest men in 18th-century Virginia, purchased the property in 1759 for 600 pounds, a very high price for a frame house at that time. Tayloe probably used it as a town house during the years he served on the Governor’s Council.
Located on Nicholson Street just east of the point where Queen Street, running north, meets it, the buildings and grounds were restored between January 1950 and Apriln 1951 by Colonial Williamsburg,
In his book “Before and After,” George Yetter describes the Tayloe House:
“The gambrel roof has two separate slopes to provide more headroom in the upper story. A distinctive architectural refinement is the elongated kick, or upturn on the lower eaves. The house is also noted for its fine interior woodwork and the original marble console table supported on wrought-iron brackets near the front door.
The late nineteenth-century wings and porch were removed in 1950. The reconstructed porch is based on archaeological and architectural evidence. Its platform is paved with fragments of English Portland stone found on the site during excavations. Most of the brick foundations are original and still retain their colonial mortar which, due to the local unavailability of limestone, was made with ground oyster shells. Remains of original brick drips, or ground gutters, were excavated along the north and south walls and were restored. They broke the force of rainwater falling from the roof, prevented erosion, and carried moisture away from the house.”
Learn more about the Tayloe House.
View more Throwback Thursday posts
[brightcove videoID=3738019619001 playerID=2893748186001 height=315 width=560]
Watch Williamsburg Before and After
What is the Tayloe house used for today? I don’t see it listed as one of the structures open for tours.
Colonial Williamsburg allows employees to rent houses not used for exhibition. This is one of them.