Renovate Historic Campus - Wren Preservation
The Sir Christopher Wren Building at William & Mary is the oldest college building still standing in the United States and the oldest of the restored public buildings in Williamsburg. It was constructed between 1695 and 1700, before Williamsburg was founded, when the capital of the colony of Virginia was still located at Jamestown, and the tract of land between the James and York rivers which was to become Williamsburg was populated by crude timber buildings and known as "Middle Plantation.“
The Wren Building has been gutted by fire three times — in 1705, 1859 and 1862. Each time the interior of the structure was rebuilt, and for more than three centuries, it has been "the soul of the College." In the building, generations of William & Mary students have attended classes and lectures, enjoyed meals and attended chapel services. Classes are still held in the Wren Building, which also is home to several faculty offices.
Although the building has been renovated numerous times (most recently in 2001), the current project is the most significant preservation and restoration effort since the development and investment in the Colonial Williamsburg area between 1929 and 1932. The scope of work for the renovations of the Wren Building is informed by previous planning efforts and building studies. Preservation and restoration efforts of the building envelope, roof replacement and cupola restoration, installation of a lightning protection system, provisions of perimeter drainage, and addressing various water infiltration issues and their resulting damage will be addressed by the project.
Project Details
- Project Number: 204 – 918678
- Cost: $10,164,000 (Construction Value) / $13,451,000 (Project Value)
- Fund Source: State (Pool Funded)
- Project Start Date: December 2023
- Construction Start Date: December 2024 (planned)
- Finish Date: December 2025 (planned)
- Project Manager: Matt Rossi
- Design Team: Glave & Holmes
- Contractor: Grunley Construction
- Progress: Detailed Planning is underway
Building Committee
Allie Mercer '25, NIAHD, Wren Building Proctor
Charles Fulcher, Director of Wren Operations
Dan Pisaniello, University Architect
Matthew Rossi, Project Manager
Maren Gibb '25, Wren Building Proctor
Michael Daise, Endowed Professor of Judaic Studies in Religious Studies
Sean Hughes, Associate Vice President for Business Affairs
The facade and roof of the Wren Building will be restored as part of the renovation project
The Wren's roof and cupola will be replaced and restored as part of the preservation project
Brick, mortar, stone stair details, and other elements of the Wren will be restored and preserved
