Wren Building

Virginia, United States

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The Wren Building stands in the College Yard at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, as the oldest college building in the United States. Constructed between 1695 and 1700 in Renaissance Revival style, its design is traditionally attributed to the English architect Sir Christopher Wren and represented the largest structure yet built in the Chesapeake Colonies, departing significantly from the medieval forms prevalent in Colonial Virginia. The building's initial quadrangle design, with eastern and northern wings completed in 1699, was constructed by workers including indentured servants and enslaved persons. Its reputation was such that orations delivered there in 1699 persuaded Virginia's colonial government to relocate from Jamestown to Middle Plantation, soon reestablished as Williamsburg. The building subsequently housed the government from 1700 to 1704 and has endured repeated destruction and reconstruction—by fire in 1705, tornado in 1834, fires in 1859 and 1862 (the latter during Union occupation), and subsequent rebuilding in 1867–1869 under engineer Alfred L. Rives. Its present early 18th-century appearance derives from restoration work undertaken as part of Colonial Williamsburg projects, supported by John D. Rockefeller Jr.'s funding and historical documentation including the Bodleian Plate.

Architect

Christopher Wren

Movement

Renaissance Revival architecture

Built: 1695
Type: building
Heritage: National Register of Historic Places listed place, Virginia Historic Landmark
Place: Virginia, United States

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Location

37.27080, -76.70920