Arriving in the historic area to enjoy lunch with a friend interning at Colonial Williamsburg for the summer, we leisurely strolled the streets afterwards in between programming.
BEAUTIFUL COKE-GARRETT HOUSE
While awaiting lunch, we meandered along quiet trails to photography some of my favorite colonial architecture, focusing on the Coke-Garrett House.
This is quite possibly my favorite house due to its unique colonial architecture and its location, tucked away from the busy-ness of the town, secluded among the horses and the trees, which allows the soul to quiet and calm from the craziness of the 21st century.
Greatly enjoying the architecture, I would love to recreate more of these looks in my own home.
Actually, some of these colonial architectural elements are reflected through my neighborhood, that I call Colonial Williamsburg Adjacent.
Comprising five 18th century town lots, the size and architecture grew from the 18th century into the 19th.
Numerous 18th century owners included the trades of baker, silversmith, gaoler (handily next door to the gaol), ordinary-keeper, barber, constable, burgess, perukemaker (wigmaker), and carpenter.
18th CENTURY COKE OWNERSHIP AND INFLUENCE
In 1755, a successful goldsmith and tavern-keeper by name of John Coke, owned the three easternmost lots.
The current size of the property was attained through Coke’s addition of the two lots nearest the Gaol.
The architectural uniqueness comes from upgrades from various owners over time, while effectively keeping the Virginian colonial charm.
After obtaining extra land near the Gaol, Coke built the portion that is now the west wing.
After Coke’s death in 1767, his wife ran an ordinary within the building, which was later managed by Richard Singleton.
While succeeding generations inherited the property through 1785, the house and extra lots found numerous new owners.
19th CENTURY GARRETT OWNERSHIP AND INFLUENCE
Notably, Richard Garrett obtained the property in 1810, who distinctively added a brick office, a charming dependency common to Virginia’s colonial architecture, shortly after.
Later, around 1837, a two-and-a-half storied central section was added, soon followed by an east wing addition, which is apparently, a relocated original 18th century building.
His son, Dr. Robert Garrett, who inherited the property, was educated at the nearby College of William and Mary and eventually became a surgeon.
Later Dr. Garrett superintended the Eastern State Hospital, which in 1773 was simply known as the Public Hospital.
Currently part of the Colonial Williamsburg property, the Public Hospital was the first facility to serve mental health needs in America.
Dr. Garrett also served numerous terms as mayor of Williamsburg.
1861 DESCRIPTION OF COKE-GARRETT HOUSE
By 1861, the property was described as we see it today: a long frame house … looks very much today as it did then … Beautiful gardens surrounded this estate. …
1927 COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG PURCHASE OF COKE-GARRETT HOUSE
Remaining in the Garrett family until 1927, Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin purchased the property to create Colonial Williamsburg, with the help of Mr. John D. Rockefeller.
Wow! What a story! I could sit under a tree to enjoy the views and write in a notebook for hours…
FIRST OVAL OFFICE
On this day of official photography for the First Oval Project, we grabbed a few shots ourselves!
Having watched them sew two replicas of General Washington’s marquee tent, a baggage tent, and a dining tent, we’ve enjoyed learning the history associated with this project.
FRESH BREAD AT THE ANDERSON ARMOURY OUTDOOR OVEN
Tantalized by the scent of bread baking in an oven, we followed the delicious aroma to the Anderson Armoury’s outdoor oven.
During the American Revolution this bread would have served the workers in the Armoury…now the bread serves employees of Colonial Williamsburg.
LEATHERWORKERS AND BUTTONS FROM HORNS
The circles are where buttons have been cut out for the leather breaches.
Many buttons of the era were cleverly made of horn or bone.
BURGESSES MANN PAGE AND JAMES MADISON
While walking down the street to meet with General Washington, we saw Mann Page and James Madison!
When Mr. Page cheerfully hailed us, my son walked over to commiserate over illnesses incurred during longevity of college studies, with which Madison could relate.
GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON
After General Washington’s public audience, some guests gathered around, as usual, and this time took an interesting twist.
Some of the guests commented they arrived from England, but their relative, standing at a distance, hesitated to join us because he was descended from General Cornwallis.
Trying to assure him all was well, he carefully kept distant. Awww…
VIRGINIA COLONIAL GARDENS IN THE DUSK
As we walked to the Cheese Shop for dinner, I took a few more photos of the quaint scenery as we passed by.
These charming Four-o-clocks bloom in the evening dusk brought happy memories of childhood playfulness with the seeds in the evenings while the flowers bloomed.
