Bassett Hall facts for kids
Bassett Hall is a charming old farmhouse from the 1700s, located in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was once the home of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. They lived here while helping to bring the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg back to life.
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The Story of Bassett Hall
How Bassett Hall Was Built
Bassett Hall was built a long time ago, between 1753 and 1766. The person who built it was Philip Johnson. He was an important figure in Virginia's early government, serving in the House of Burgesses. This was like an early form of a state legislature, where elected representatives made laws for the colony.
Who Lived Here After
The house got its name from Burwell Bassett, who bought it in 1800. Burwell Bassett was the nephew of Martha Washington, the wife of America's first president, George Washington.
During the American Civil War, a famous Union soldier named George Armstrong Custer stayed at Bassett Hall for about ten days. He was visiting Williamsburg to attend a wedding. His friend, who was getting married, was a Confederate soldier who had been hurt in the Battle of Williamsburg.
The Rockefellers and Colonial Williamsburg
How the Restoration Began
In 1926, a local church leader, Rev. Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin from Bruton Parish Church, had a big idea. He wanted to save and restore the old, historic buildings in Williamsburg. He shared this idea with John D. Rockefeller Jr., a very wealthy person who used his money to help good causes.
Mr. Rockefeller thought about the idea while walking among the large trees behind Bassett Hall. He decided to help make the dream of restoring Williamsburg a reality.
Bassett Hall Becomes Their Home
Rev. Goodwin later suggested that Mr. Rockefeller buy Bassett Hall for himself. He thought it would be a perfect place for the Rockefellers to stay while they worked on their vision for Williamsburg.
So, Bassett Hall became the Rockefellers' home whenever they visited Williamsburg. They would come twice a year to oversee the huge project of bringing Colonial Williamsburg back to its original look.
Visiting Bassett Hall Today
Open to Everyone
The Rockefeller family generously gave Bassett Hall to Colonial Williamsburg in 1979. Now, anyone can visit this historic home. When you step inside, it looks much like it did in the 1930s and 1940s, when the Rockefellers lived there.
The Gardens at Bassett Hall
The beautiful gardens around Bassett Hall are designed in the Colonial Revival style. This means they are created to look like gardens from the colonial period, but with some modern touches. They add to the charm and history of the property.
