Restoring Williamsburg

by George Humphrey Yetter, Carl R Lounsbury

A comprehensive look at Williamsburg's evolution and important role in defining our understanding of 18th-century America

Today best known as the world’s largest “living history” museum, Williamsburg was the capital of the colony of Virginia in the 1700s and the setting for key debates leading to the American Revolution. Inspired by growing interest in America’s colonial heritage, W. A. R. Goodwin, supported by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., initiated a major restoration in the 1920s and 1930s that has allowed visitors to see how Williamsburg looked in the 18th century. Restoring Williamsburg expands on Williamsburg Before and After , a now-classic book with more than 200,000 copies in print, offering an updated and nuanced look at the continuing process of restoration. In addition to capturing moments throughout the site’s transformation, the book offers important considerations about modern curatorial practices and changing approaches to historic preservation.
 
Lavishly illustrated with more than 350 photographs, watercolors, sketches, maps, and other illustrations, Restoring Williamsburg features new images from both before and after the restoration. This is an important contribution not only to architectural history and restoration practices but also to our understanding of the town that continues to inspire Americans to think about their history.

Distributed for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Genres: History

296 pages, Hardcover

Published August 27, 2019

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having made a trip to Williamsburg last Fall, the details of the restoration process and the information about the people who lived and worked in these buildings has sent my imagination reeling! I was stunned upon reading that during the 1930's, the early years of the restoration, over 500 buildings were demolished as they worked to return Williamsburg to it's Colonial presence. The immense undertaking, enormous financial commitment and the vision of what Williamsburg could be are nearly beyond belief. I will be returning to Williamsburg early this summer and will see this amazing historical town through entirely new eyes! This book is necessary to begin grasping what really happened in the preservation and restorations of this incredible piece of American history.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding history of colonial Williamsburg, and an intriguing comparison of the old buildings with the restored structures. A lot of good photographs and descriptions of the history associated with each building.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, will refer to it often as I get to know Colonial Williamsburg.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart and imagination are so captivated by this place that I don't think I'll ever be truly finished with this book.