Information & history on rear of piece:
Capitol,  Williamsburg,  VA.   The foundations of the original Capitol were laid in 1701, with Virginia's General Assembly convening here from 1704-1780.  The east wing contained the Hall of the House of Burgesses (the lower house of legislature and America's oldest representative assembly) with committee rooms on the second floor.  The west wing housed the General Courtroom and Council Chamber on the second floor.  Appropriately linking the two wings, is the Conference Room.  It was here where burgesses and councilors met together for morning prayer or held joint conferences to resolve disagreements.  The H-shaped plan of the Capitol is an early example of an architectural design successfully devised for a specific purpose.  Originally built without chimneys, the use of fire, candles or tobacco was strictly prohibited.  A secretary complained that his records were "exposed by the Damps," thus, two chimneys were added in 1723.  Then on January 30, 1747, the Capitol was gutted by fire.  Reconstruction was completed in 1753.

Information & history on rear of piece:
The foundations of the original Capitol were laid in 1701, with Virginia's General Assembly convening here from 1704 - 1780.  The east wing contained the Hall of the House of Burgesses (the lower house of legislature and America's oldest representative assembly) with committee rooms on the second floor.  The west wing housed the General Courtroom and Council Chamber on the second floor.  Appropriately linking the two wings, is the Conference Room.  It was here where burgesses and councilors met together for morning prayer or held joint conferences to resolve disagreements.  The H - shaped plan of the Capitol is an early example of an architectural design successfully devised for a specific purpose.  Originally built without chimneys, the use of fire, candles or tobacco was strictly prohibited.  A secretary complained that his records were "exposed by the Damps," thus, two chimneys were added in 1723.  Then on Jan. 30, 1747, the Capitol was gutted by fire.  Reconstruction was completed in 1753.  This second building fell into disrepair after the removal of Virginia's government to Richmond.  In 1832, it too was destroyed by fire.  Today's Capitol was rebuilt and opened in 1934.

Information & history on rear of piece:
Begun in 1706 as the seat for the Royal Governor, the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg was not completed until 1720 due to a lack of expert artisans in Virginia at the time.  Though unhappy about the added £3000 in taxes collected to build the Palace, the community took great pride in the building upon its completion.  The Palace, credited as being the first Georgian house built in America, served as both home and office to the Governor of Williamsburg.  Set atop the balustraded roof of the building is a cupola, or lantern as it was originally known, which was lit on the monarch's birthday and other special occasions.

Information & history on rear of piece:
As a center of social, political, and business activities, the Raleigh was one of the most famous taverns in eighteenth century Williamsburg.  In the Apollo room many public receptions and balls were held, and the Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded.  The Tavern has changed little in its many years of operation.  The Raleigh's spirit of hospitality is well expressed in the motto gilded over the Apollo room: Hilaritas Sapientiae et Bonae Vitae Proles -- "Jollity, the offspring of wisdom and good living."

Information & history on rear of piece:
College of William and Mary,  "The Wren Building",  Williamsburg,  VA.   The Wren Building is the oldest structure in America in continuous use.  Built in 1625, two years after the school was chartered, it is the signature building of the second-oldest college in the nation.  The building has been partially destroyed by fire three times and has been occupied by soldiers twice.  It was the first major building restored by John D.Rockefeller Jr., after he began Williamsburg's restoration in the late 1920's.  Classes are still held in the building as well as receptions and special events on the first and second floors.  The chapel there has services for the students and is available for weddings.  The first floor is maintained as a Colonial Williamsburg exhibition and is open to the public year-round.