What do an eighteenth-century invoice, a circus lion, a boat etched on a window pane, wallpaper fragments, dendrochronology samples, and a 1952 Antiques Forum program have in common? They are all pieces of the remarkable history of the Thomas Everard House that are part of Colonial Williamsburg’s museum and library collections.
2018 marks a significant milestone for the building – its three-hundredth anniversary. Located to the right of the Governor’s Palace on Palace Green, the residence was among a small group of structures comprising the new town of Williamsburg by the end of the second decade of the eighteenth century. It is considered one of the oldest houses in Williamsburg and was selected for restoration in the early 1950s as an example of a middle class home representative of the life of ordinary town citizens.
- Pre-restoration view of west elevation of the Thomas Everard House, c. 1911. (Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library)
- Thomas Everard House, Williamsburg, Virginia. (Architectural Preservation and Research)
Over the course of the next few months, visitors to Colonial Williamsburg can take part in a number of special observances for the Everard House’s tercentennial. One is a series of tours at the site led by members of the curatorial, archaeological, and architectural preservation and research staff who share their in-depth knowledge of the house’s restoration process, and its archaeology, interior furnishings, and three centuries of residents. In addition, visitors may see archaeological artifacts unearthed at the Everard site by taking the tour “Rubbish, Treasures, and Colonial Life: The Archaeology Labs.”
- Overall view of exhibit (Wayne Reynolds for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)
- Detail of objects illustrating the early twentieth-century history of the Thomas Everard House prior to its restoration. (Wayne Reynolds for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)
Another way to commemorate the house’s anniversary is by visiting the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library’s exhibit “Thomas Everard House Celebrates 300 Years.” The exhibit covers each century of the house’s history through displays of objects from Special Collections, Visual Resources, Corporate Archives, and Architectural Preservation and Research. Beginning with eighteenth-century manuscripts relating to resident Thomas Everard, the first case features invoices and accounts, a letter in the hand of Everard, along with an example of a book from his library.
Signature of Thomas Everard (Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library)
The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are represented by photographs, letters, postcards, and a book relating to the era when Cora and Estelle Smith operated a boarding house at the site, received a surprise visit from an escaped circus lion, and drew upon the popularity of the house’s association with Mary Johnston’s novel “Audrey.” Architectural changes to the house over the course of the nineteenth century are also explored, as are the stories surrounding two window panes etched with artwork and phrases by different residents. Next the official opening of the house as an exhibition building on January 21, 1952, its debut during the 1952 Antiques Forum, and development of interpretation at the site are documented through photographs, news clippings, programs, and even an early admission ticket. Finally, the meticulous process of restoring the building is illustrated through original architectural sketches, photographs, paint and dendrochronology samples, and a memo outlining the rationale for its restoration.
- Mary Johnston to Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, November 3, 1930. (Corporate Archives Collection, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library)
- Detail of objects relating to paint analysis at the Thomas Everard House. (Wayne Reynolds for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)
All of the objects on display illustrate the large array of fascinating research materials available at the library relating to specific building sites in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. Researchers interested in learning more about the history, architecture, archaeology, and landscape connected with a particular building can access this wealth of resources. In addition to serving Colonial Williamsburg employees and College of William & Mary professors and students, the Rockefeller Library is open to the general public on an appointment basis. Anyone may schedule an appointment to make use of the library’s resources by calling 757-220-7249 for reference and circulating collections, 757-565-8520 for Special Collections, 757-565-8542 for Visual Resources, and 757-220-7249 for Corporate Archives.
Streetscape of Block 29
Singleton Peabody Moorehead, c. 1939. (Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library)
The Rockefeller Library is located at 313 First Street in the Bruton Heights School Education Center. It is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Appointments are not necessary to view the exhibit but visitors must ring the doorbell at the front entrance to gain admittance. The exhibit will be on view through August 31, 2018. Come celebrate the Everard House’s birthday with us!
Alyssa Kruithoff says
I went to Colonial Williams burg and i had fun learning of the old times and petting the horses.
Emma says
Where can I find the best guides to Virginia wine country ?
Wlybseht says
The fact that he is only 22 years old on Opening Day already says much about what the Yankees think of him.
The Houston Astros hope his success in 2015 isn’t his career peak, and very early returns strongly suggest it’s not.
The Houston Astros, whom the Twins lost to on Monday night, are the best team in the majors.
All of our QBs understand that competition and opportunity is ongoing.
s would get someone who contributes right away, like Evan Engram did for the New York Giants last year.
Can you tell us something about the 19th cnetury building that stood to the left of the Everet House?
It is clearly not colonial; was is some kind of store?
In the mid-1920s, this crenellated brick building next to the Thomas Everard House served as an office. It was torn down in the early 1950s when restoration work progressed to the Everard property. This structure, built in the 19th- century, served as a place of business for Sydney Smith, who purchased the property from Daniel P. Custis in 1849.
When will the tulips bloom in CW this year with the late spring?
I am hoping to visit the 2nd week of April.
They were in bloom last week. A great treat for a winter weary visitor from the north.
Alyssa Kruithoff says
I was just there and they are in full bloom and they are beautiful.
Aiagen says
It”s pretty easy to slow bike traffic in front of a school or other pedestrian crossing: put a few orange traffic cones on top of the striped yellow line on either side of the school entrance, it narrows the path and warns cyclists to stay in lane. The bollards by the Williamsburg bridge have this effect. A better solution would be to raise the bike lane up to sidewalk grade outside the school, which slows bikes and let”s cyclists know they”re on shared space, but there”s probably not enough time for a capital project like that.
Ken Toki says
Where can I get a Print of Streetscape of Block 29?
The Rockefeller Library offers reproduction services for items within its collections. It is possible to purchase a reproduction of the Block 29 Streetscape, as well as other streetscapes that are part of the same collection.. Please contact mmartin@cwf.org for further details.