Difference between revisions of "George Wythe House"

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(The Property)
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{{Infobox NRHP | name =Wythe House
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[[File:WytheHouseColonialWilliamsburg.jpg|thumb|right|400px|George Wythe's residence in Williamsburg, Virginia, now part of [http://www.history.org/almanack/places/hb/hbwythe.cfm Colonial Williamsburg's] Historic Area restoration.]]
  | nrhp_type = nhl
+
The Wythe House was the Williamsburg, Virginia home of [[George Wythe]], signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and father of American jurisprudence. It is located in what is now Colonial Williamsburg, on Palace Green, adjacent to Bruton Parish Church. The property was declared a National Historic Landmark on April 15, 1970.
  | designated_other1=nhldcp
 
  | designated_other1_date=
 
  | partof = [[Williamsburg Historic District (Williamsburg, Virginia)|Williamsburg Historic District]]
 
  | partof_refnum = 66000925<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
 
  | designated_other2 = Virginia Landmarks Register
 
  | designated_other2_date =September 18, 1973<ref name=register>{{cite web|title=Virginia Landmarks Register|url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/register_counties_cities.htm|publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources|accessdate=19 March 2013}}</ref>
 
  | designated_other2_number = 137-0058
 
  | designated_other2_num_position = bottom
 
  | image = The George Wythe House (8017084861).jpg
 
  | caption = View of the Wythe House from Palace Street
 
  | location= W side of the Palace Green, [[Williamsburg, Virginia]]
 
  | lat_degrees = 37
 
  | lat_minutes = 16
 
  | lat_seconds = 18
 
  | lat_direction = N
 
  | long_degrees = 76
 
  | long_minutes = 42
 
  | long_seconds = 12
 
  | long_direction = W
 
  | locmapin = Virginia
 
  | area =
 
  | built =1754
 
| architect= [[Richard Taliaferro]]
 
| architecture= [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]]
 
| designated_nrhp_type= April 15, 1970<ref name="nhlsum">{{cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1040&ResourceType=Building
 
|title=Wythe House |accessdate=2008-04-20|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
 
| added = April 15, 1970<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2007a}}</ref>
 
| governing_body = Private
 
| refnum=70000866
 
}}
 
'''Wythe House''' was the [[Williamsburg, Virginia]] home of [[George Wythe]], signer of the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] and father of American jurisprudence. It is located in what is now [[Colonial Williamsburg]], on Palace Green, adjacent to [[Bruton Parish Church]].<ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name="nrhpinv2"/> The property was declared a [[National Historic Landmark]] on April 15, 1970.<ref name="nhlsum"/><ref name="nrhpinv2">{{Cite journal|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: James Dillon|url=http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/70000866.pdf |format=pdf|date=October 9, 1974 |author=James Dillon |publisher=National Park Service}} and {{PDFlink|[http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Photos/70000866.pdf ''Accompanying  two photos, exterior, from 1974'']|32&nbsp;KB}}</ref>
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
The Wythe House once belonged to George Wythe's father-in-law, [[Richard Taliaferro]]. The house was constructed between 1752 to 1754 and was conceived as a whole with no additions made to the rectangular two story structure. The house was built during a period of time when the [[Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia)|Governor's Palace]] was being renovated.
+
The Wythe House once belonged to George Wythe's father-in-law, Richard Taliaferro. The house was constructed between 1752 to 1754 and was conceived as a whole with no additions made to the rectangular two story structure. The house was built during a period of time when the Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia) was being renovated.
  
The house remained as the sole household of Taliaferro when his daughter Elizabeth married George Wythe in 1755. The couple received the house as a wedding present from Taliafero and they received a life tenancy upon his death in 1779. Elizabeth lived here until her death in 1787, and George moved to [[Richmond, Virginia]] in 1791 to serve as a judge.
+
The house remained as the sole household of Taliaferro when his daughter Elizabeth married George Wythe in 1755. The couple received the house as a wedding present from Taliafero and they received a life tenancy upon his death in 1779. Elizabeth lived here until her death in 1787, and George moved to Richmond, Virginia in 1791 to serve as a judge.
  
The house served as headquarters for General [[George Washington]] &ndash; September 14 to 17,  and 22 to 28, 1781 &ndash; prior to the [[Siege of Yorktown]].<ref>http://www.history.org/visit/tourTheTown/flash.cfm</ref>
+
The house served as headquarters for General George Washington; September 14 to 17,  and 22 to 28, 1781 prior to the Siege of Yorktown.<ref>http://www.history.org/visit/tourTheTown/flash.cfm</ref>
  
The house saw several subsequent owners. In 1926 the Reverend Dr. [[W.A.R. Goodwin]], Rector of adjoining Bruton Parish Church, established his offices on the second floor after the Parish acquired the building for church use. Dr. Goodwin is known as the "Father of Colonial Williamsburg." Colonial Williamburg officially obtained the property in 1938, and in 1939 the interior was restored to the form and appearance the Wythe family would have known.
+
The house saw several subsequent owners. In 1926 the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, Rector of adjoining Bruton Parish Church, established his offices on the second floor after the Parish acquired the building for church use. Dr. Goodwin is known as the "Father of Colonial Williamsburg." Colonial Williamburg officially obtained the property in 1938, and in 1939 the interior was restored to the form and appearance the Wythe family would have known.
  
 
==Exterior==
 
==Exterior==
  
 
===The House===
 
===The House===
The facade is constructed of red brick with white woodwork and is perfectly symmetrical, with the first floor having two windows on each side of the door, and five windows in alignment with the bottom windows on the second floor. The hip roof has brick chimneys rising from the side slopes of the roof. The roof is supported by a [[modillion]] cornice.
+
[[File:WytheHouseShutters.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Parlor interior shutters of the George Wythe House, with an oculus for solar observations.]]
 +
The facade is constructed of red brick with white woodwork and is perfectly symmetrical, with the first floor having two windows on each side of the door, and five windows in alignment with the bottom windows on the second floor. The hip roof has brick chimneys rising from the side slopes of the roof. The roof is supported by a modillion cornice.
  
The lighter-colored bricks framing the windows and doors are called "rubbed bricks," as the masons would rub one side of the bricks against each other until a rosy color became evident. The house has a beveled [[Water table (architecture)|water table]] and the walls are laid in [[Flemish bond]]. The entrance is reached by a small flight of steps with a large door with raised panels and a transom window.
+
The lighter-colored bricks framing the windows and doors are called "rubbed bricks," as the masons would rub one side of the bricks against each other until a rosy color became evident. The house has a beveled water table and the walls are laid in Flemish bond. The entrance is reached by a small flight of steps with a large door with raised panels and a transom window.
  
 
===The Property===
 
===The Property===
The property has fine conjectural gardens and several outbuildings including a [[smokehouse]], external kitchen, laundry, poultry house, lumber house, well, [[dovecote]], and a stable.<ref name="history.org">http://www.history.org/Almanack/places/hb/hbwythe.cfm#viewMedia</ref> The gardens consist of brick paths and hedges with several small shrubs dotting the landscape. The property is contained by a simple white fence with hedges trimming the edges of the gardens.
+
The property has fine conjectural gardens and several outbuildings including a [[Wikipedia:Smokehouse|smokehouse]], external kitchen, laundry, poultry house, lumber house, well, [[Wikipedia:Dovecote|dovecote]], and a stable.<ref name="history.org">http://www.history.org/Almanack/places/hb/hbwythe.cfm#viewMedia</ref> The gardens consist of brick paths and hedges with several small shrubs dotting the landscape. The property is contained by a simple white fence with hedges trimming the edges of the gardens.
  
 
==Interior==
 
==Interior==
[[File:Interior George Wythe House Williamsburg.jpg|thumb|left|225px|Interior, George Wythe House]]
+
[[File:WytheHouseBrochureP2P3.jpg|thumb|right|450px|Visitor brochure for the [http://www.history.org/almanack/places/hb/hbwythe.cfm George Wythe House] in Colonial Williamsburg (c. 1950s), George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library.]]
The house is a standard center-passage, double-pile plan. A staircase rises on the left side of the passage. The hall contains four door lead to the various rooms.
+
The house is a standard center-passage, double-pile plan. A staircase rises on the left side of the passage. The hall contains four doors leading to the rooms.
  
The room interpreted as a parlor by Colonial Williamsburg is to the left before the staircase. A bowfat, a china cupboard, is built into the corner to the left of the fireplace.
+
The room interpreted as a parlor by Colonial Williamsburg is to the left before the staircase. A bowfat, a china cupboard, is built into the corner to the left of the fireplace.
  
The dining room is across from the parlor, which it mirrors. A fireplace and bowfat are in the inside wall. Wainscot lines this room; there is a [[crown molding]].
+
The dining room is across from the parlor, which it mirrors. A fireplace and bowfat are in the inside wall. Wainscot lines this room; there is a crown molding.
  
A bedroom is located behind the dining room, with a door connecting the two rooms. A white [[Dado rail|chair rail]] divides the walls with a black [[base board]]. The floors are pine. The bedroom has another doorway leading into the main hall to the rear of the house.
+
A bedroom is located behind the dining room, with a door connecting the two rooms. A white chair rail divides the walls with a black base board. The floors are pine. The bedroom has a doorway leading into the main hall to the rear of the house.
  
The room interpreted as Wythe's office is located behind the parlor. The room contains a fireplace with a blue mantel and plastered firebox. The floors are pine.
+
The room interpreted as Wythe's office or study is located behind the parlor. The room contains a fireplace with a blue mantel and plastered firebox. The floors are pine.
  
The second floor is similar in layout to the first. A central hall runs the length of the house with four bedrooms in the corners of the house. Each of these rooms has a fireplace. The windows on this upper floor are actually slightly smaller than the first floor windows but contain the same amount of panels (18) and a double sash.<ref name="history.org"/>
+
The second floor is similar in layout to the first. A central hall runs the length of the house with four bedrooms in the corners of the house. Each of these rooms has a fireplace. The windows on this upper floor are actually slightly smaller than the first floor windows but contain the same amount of panels (18) and a double sash.
[[File:WytheGeorge.jpg|thumb|right|150px|George Wythe]]
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 +
*[[Chesterville]]
 
*[[George Wythe]]
 
*[[George Wythe]]
*[[Colonial Williamsburg Foundation]]
 
*[[List of Washington's Headquarters during the Revolutionary War]]
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
+
<references/>
  
==Further reading==
+
==Exterior links==
*Coffman, Suzanne E. and Olmert, Michael, ''Official Guide to Colonial Williamsburg'', The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Virginia 2000. ISBN 0-87935-184-5
 
*Howard, Hugh and Strauss III, Roger, ''Houses of the Founding Fathers'', Artisan, New York City, New York 2007. ISBN 1579652751
 
  
==External links==
+
*Wolf Law Library [https://www.flickr.com/photos/wolflawlibrary/albums/72157624158642985 Flickr album.]
{{Commons category}}
+
*[http://www.history.org/almanack/places/hb/hbwythe.cfm "George Wythe house,"] Colonial Williamsburg.
*[http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/va1028/ George Wythe House, 101 Palace Green Street, Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA]: 10 measured drawings at [[Historic American Buildings Survey]]
+
*[http://research.history.org/DigitalLibrary/View/index.cfm?doc=ResearchReports\RR0216.xml "The George Wythe House: Its Furniture and Furnishings,"] Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library.
*[http://www.history.org/Almanack/places/hb/hbwythe.cfm Colonial Williamsburg website for the Wythe House]
 
*[http://www.buffaloah.com/a/virtual/us/williamsb/wythe/index.html Several photos of house and contents]
 
  
{{Colonial Williamsburg}}
+
[[Category:Aspects of Wythe's Life]]
{{Registered Historic Places}}
 
{{National Register of Historic Places in Virginia}}
 
 
 
[[Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in Virginia]]
 
[[Category:Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia]]
 
[[Category:National Historic Landmarks in Virginia]]
 
[[Category:Museums in Williamsburg, Virginia]]
 
[[Category:Houses in Williamsburg, Virginia]]
 
[[Category:Historic house museums in Virginia]]
 
[[Category:Houses completed in 1750]]
 
[[Category:Colonial Williamsburg]]
 
[[Category:Biographical museums in Virginia]]
 
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Williamsburg, Virginia]]
 
[[Category:Taliaferro family of Virginia]]
 

Revision as of 12:16, 4 March 2018

George Wythe's residence in Williamsburg, Virginia, now part of Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area restoration.

The Wythe House was the Williamsburg, Virginia home of George Wythe, signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and father of American jurisprudence. It is located in what is now Colonial Williamsburg, on Palace Green, adjacent to Bruton Parish Church. The property was declared a National Historic Landmark on April 15, 1970.

History

The Wythe House once belonged to George Wythe's father-in-law, Richard Taliaferro. The house was constructed between 1752 to 1754 and was conceived as a whole with no additions made to the rectangular two story structure. The house was built during a period of time when the Governor's Palace (Williamsburg, Virginia) was being renovated.

The house remained as the sole household of Taliaferro when his daughter Elizabeth married George Wythe in 1755. The couple received the house as a wedding present from Taliafero and they received a life tenancy upon his death in 1779. Elizabeth lived here until her death in 1787, and George moved to Richmond, Virginia in 1791 to serve as a judge.

The house served as headquarters for General George Washington; September 14 to 17, and 22 to 28, 1781 prior to the Siege of Yorktown.[1]

The house saw several subsequent owners. In 1926 the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, Rector of adjoining Bruton Parish Church, established his offices on the second floor after the Parish acquired the building for church use. Dr. Goodwin is known as the "Father of Colonial Williamsburg." Colonial Williamburg officially obtained the property in 1938, and in 1939 the interior was restored to the form and appearance the Wythe family would have known.

Exterior

The House

Parlor interior shutters of the George Wythe House, with an oculus for solar observations.

The facade is constructed of red brick with white woodwork and is perfectly symmetrical, with the first floor having two windows on each side of the door, and five windows in alignment with the bottom windows on the second floor. The hip roof has brick chimneys rising from the side slopes of the roof. The roof is supported by a modillion cornice.

The lighter-colored bricks framing the windows and doors are called "rubbed bricks," as the masons would rub one side of the bricks against each other until a rosy color became evident. The house has a beveled water table and the walls are laid in Flemish bond. The entrance is reached by a small flight of steps with a large door with raised panels and a transom window.

The Property

The property has fine conjectural gardens and several outbuildings including a smokehouse, external kitchen, laundry, poultry house, lumber house, well, dovecote, and a stable.[2] The gardens consist of brick paths and hedges with several small shrubs dotting the landscape. The property is contained by a simple white fence with hedges trimming the edges of the gardens.

Interior

Visitor brochure for the George Wythe House in Colonial Williamsburg (c. 1950s), George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library.

The house is a standard center-passage, double-pile plan. A staircase rises on the left side of the passage. The hall contains four doors leading to the rooms.

The room interpreted as a parlor by Colonial Williamsburg is to the left before the staircase. A bowfat, a china cupboard, is built into the corner to the left of the fireplace.

The dining room is across from the parlor, which it mirrors. A fireplace and bowfat are in the inside wall. Wainscot lines this room; there is a crown molding.

A bedroom is located behind the dining room, with a door connecting the two rooms. A white chair rail divides the walls with a black base board. The floors are pine. The bedroom has a doorway leading into the main hall to the rear of the house.

The room interpreted as Wythe's office or study is located behind the parlor. The room contains a fireplace with a blue mantel and plastered firebox. The floors are pine.

The second floor is similar in layout to the first. A central hall runs the length of the house with four bedrooms in the corners of the house. Each of these rooms has a fireplace. The windows on this upper floor are actually slightly smaller than the first floor windows but contain the same amount of panels (18) and a double sash.

See also

References

  1. http://www.history.org/visit/tourTheTown/flash.cfm
  2. http://www.history.org/Almanack/places/hb/hbwythe.cfm#viewMedia

Exterior links