WILLIAMSBURG — William & Mary is primed to begin time-sensitive restoration work on its historic 18th century campus once the state’s 2023-24 budget is approved by the Virginia General Assembly.
Currently, $14.2 million are needed in state funds to fund extensive repair and restoration work on two landmark buildings: the Sir Christopher Wren Building and the President’s House. The General Assembly is expected to vote on the budget next week.
“In 2026, the nation’s 250th anniversary, our overriding factor is that we don’t want to have scaffolding on those buildings,” said Sean Hughes, William & Mary’s interim vice president for business operations. “If the budget is approved next week, work can be started on our planning efforts within a month, knowing those expenses will be covered.”
In November 2021, the college engaged The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to conduct an extensive examination of the structures “to provide expertise and guidance on the maintenance, upkeep and renovation of the Historical campus,” according to a report to the college’s board of visitors.
Recent evaluations have concluded that substantial work is needed to preserve the buildings.
Both buildings will require roof replacements, Hughes said, because the existing ones — built in the late 1920s and early 1930s — are more than 90 years old. That work was a John D. Rockefeller Jr.-funded restoration of the Wren and exterior of the President’s House as a prelude to the huge Colonial Williamsburg restoration and reconstruction supported by Rockefeller that began soon afterward.
Initial work on the President’s House will address ongoing temperature control and humidity issues and include some preservation work in addition to the new roof. Colonial Williamsburg’s assessment indicated that “historic houses were not constructed to support modern living conditions,” so the temperature and humidity issues put the building, historic furnishings and artwork at risk, Hughes said.
William & Mary President Katherine Rowe and her family have already moved out of the building to a temporary residence off campus in a home owned by the William & Mary Real Estate Foundation.
Work on the Wren Building is planned to begin in May 2024. “Our goal is to keep the Wren in use and available for this academic year,” Hughes said.
In addition to a new slate roof, there are water issues in the roof itself that will need to be addressed at the Wren. Water infiltration has been identified throughout the structure, and corrective action will be taken addressing the sources and repairing and restoring areas of deterioration, Hughes said.
Between the fall of 1999 and the spring of 2001, “Wrenovation” — a comprehensive renewal and replacement within the Wren — upgraded the electrical and plumbing systems. Flooring and paneling was restored with additional safety upgrades and repair and stabilization of the walls and foundation.
Most of the multimillion-dollar work was accomplished with private donations.
During those years, construction was arranged to allow access to the building at certain times, such as ringing the bell as part of Senior Day activities and the annual walk-through at graduation.
Hughes said access concerns are also paramount in the planning for the upcoming Wren restoration work.
The college’s goal is that safety “would come first, but we still want the Wren available for commencement, homecoming, the Yule Log (ceremony at the holidays) and graduation,” Hughes said. “It’s important that those really cherished traditions are maintained.”
Wilford Kale, [email protected]