As the country and the Commonwealth prepare for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, William & Mary is ensuring the nation’s most historic academic buildings are preserved for future generations.
The W&M Board of Visitors Committee on Administration Buildings and Grounds received an update Thursday on the Wren Preservation Project, which is addressing immediate structural and preservation needs of the Wren Building, and its adjacent neighbor, the President’s House.
The Wren Building, constructed between 1695 and 1700 before Williamsburg was founded, is the oldest academic building in the nation still in use today. It is the oldest of the restored public buildings in Williamsburg. The 1732 President’s House – the oldest residence for a university president in the nation – has been used extensively for events and university business.
Historic preservation & modern use
As part of the planning phase, the university asked a renowned architectural preservationist and researcher at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to further assess the President’s House, Sean Hughes, associate vice president for business affairs, told members of the committee. An earlier assessment by Colonial Williamsburg found that long-term use of the President’s House could take a significant toll and requires a comprehensive solution. As a result, President Katherine A. Rowe was asked by the Board to move to university-provided alternative housing last year so that the additional assessment and preservation work could get underway.
Matthew Webster, executive director of architectural preservation and research at Colonial Williamsburg, conducted a further assessment of the President’s House. His report highlighted several concerns regarding the potential ongoing impact that normal modern uses are likely to have on the historic structure.
“The President’s House at William & Mary is a valuable asset from multiple perspectives,” Webster stated. “The structure is almost 300 years old, and its materials and construction necessitate careful planning and understanding when it comes to modern use.”
Among the primary considerations, Webster said, are impacts of air conditioning and heating units in a historic building not originally designed for them. Even as the project considers significant work to the operating systems, modern residential use is not compatible with preserving the building’s historic structure. For example, Webster said, interior temperatures must be set at 75 degrees or higher in the summer or 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Once set, temperature changes must be limited to seasonal adjustments, he added.
“When the needs of the historic resources and modern requirements cannot be balanced, it can lead to the loss of irreplaceable historic materials, expensive repairs, structural issues, and in some cases adverse living conditions,” the report stated.
In 2023, Rector Charles E. Poston charged a committee to review the preservation, safety and sustainability of the Historic Campus – specifically the Wren Building and President’s House. He said the questions and considerations in the Colonial Williamsburg report are significant.
“The President’s House is an historic treasure, and an icon on our campus. It is our obligation to ensure that it remains a vital part of this campus for the next 300 years,” Poston said. “To do that, we must approach its future use thoughtfully and deliberately.
“I will ask that key staff address these concerns and advise the chair of the Administration Buildings and Grounds to propose next steps for the Board to consider,” he added. “In the meantime, President Rowe will continue to reside in alternative housing.”
Planning for 250th anniversary
Earlier this year, the Virginia General Assembly approved more than $12 million to replace the Wren Building’s nearly 100-year-old roof, restoration of the cupola, extensive water infiltration issues and additional repairs.
Last month, the National Park Service announced W&M is the recipient of a $416,000 grant to support the replacement of the west portico steps leading to the Wren Courtyard. These steps date to the building’s 1928-31 restoration and require rebuilding due to water infiltration and overall deterioration. Charles Fulcher, director of operations and events at the Wren Building, noted that this NPS Save America’s Treasures grant is the first he is aware of received by the university for the preservation of its historic structures.
The Wren Building project began last year with planning and assessment. Construction is scheduled to begin this winter and be completed by the end of 2025. Sean Hughes, associate vice president for business affairs, explained the timeline to Board members. While signature university events including Yule Log, Commencement and Convocation will still be held at the Wren during the renovation period, other events in the building may be limited in 2025.
“It’s projected that in 2026, millions of people will visit and participate in events and programs across Virginia, including William & Mary and Williamsburg,” Hughes said. “Our target date for completion for the Wren is late 2025 so that we can fully participate in the anniversary.”
Related story: Q&A: Preserving the Wren
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