Explore this ostentatious residence, which was built as a bold display of royal authority in the years leading up to the American Revolution.
The Governor's Palace was once one of the finest residences in the British Colonies. The palace’s impressive design and beautiful gardens capture the opulence of Virginia’s royal government prior to the American Revolution. Tour the house with the help of a costumed guide and wander around the surrounding 10-acre (4-hectare) gardens.
The site served as the home of seven royal governors and two elected commonwealth governors, Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. Constructed in the Colonial-revival style of architecture, the current palace is a detailed reconstruction of the original, which burned down in the late 18th century. Walk to the door of this grand residence and find a costumed guide who will lead you on a tour of the structure.
Some of the building’s furnishings are original, while other pieces were matched to the detailed 1770 estate inventory of Governor Norborne Berkeley. Survey the display of 18th-century firearms in the entrance hall and continuing up the stairway to the second floor. This collection consists of more than 500 weapons, which were installed as a display of power by the British king. Listen as the guide describes the lavish social events once held in the palace’s formal ballroom.
Take the kids to the boxwood maze in the formal garden behind the palace. The maze features fun, unexpected short cuts.
Find out what events are taking place in the buildings around the main palace. It’s often possible to see cooking demonstrations or learn about beer brewing in the palace kitchen. In the warmer months, cool off inside the residence’s original icehouse. The palace also hosts regular events throughout the year, including music performances that feature instruments from Colonial Williamsburg's collection of antiques.
The Governor’s Palace is located at the north end of Palace Green in the Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg. The residence is open daily. Admission is included in single-day tickets and multi-day passes for Colonial Williamsburg. Experience the grandeur of pre-Revolutionary Virginia at the Governor’s Palace.