Travis House
Built in 1765 by Colonel Edward Champion Travis, the Travis House is typical of Williamsburg houses of the late colonial period. In 1846, the building was sold to the state and made part of the Eastern State Hospital to serve as the home of the Hospital superintendent. In 1929, during the Williamsburg Restoration, the building was moved to Palace Green for use as a restaurant. During its time as a restaurant, its most notable chef was Lena Richard, a Black woman of significant culinary accomplishment in 1943.
Today, the Travis House sits at its original location, the corner of Francis and Henry, and is owned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. It serves as the headquarters for Strategic Cultural Partnerships at William and Mary, which oversees the operations of the W&M Bray School Lab, the W&M Learning & Design Lab, the Omohundro Institute, the Muscarelle Museum of Art, and James Monroe's Highland.
