Governor’s Palace
A Symbol of Royal Authority under Siege
Enter the years immediately before the Revolution and experience the grandeur of royal government in Virginia just before its collapse. Feel the tension between the rulers and the ruled in this revolutionary time as the British government’s authority was increasingly questioned.
Home to seven royal governors and the first two elected governors in Virginia, the Palace was meant to project British authority and wealth. From the large display of period swords and guns to the elegant décor and grand ballroom, the Palace was built to impress.
Behind the Palace, get lost in the elaborate, tiered gardens overlooking the stream. Children will love finding their way through the boxwood maze. In summer, you’ll find welcome coolness in the original icehouse at the back of the property. In every season, the gardens provide a place of privacy and shelter from the noises of the bustling city.
Preparing Meals for the Governor
Be sure to find out what’s going on in the buildings that surround the Palace. The kitchen and scullery are often filled with activity as members of historic foodways prepare meals for the governor and his family. Be drawn in by the aromas of hearty onion soup or sweet candied pineapple, and learn the “high cooking arts” of a British kitchen in America, courtesy of our foodways experts. Weather permitting, you may learn about brewing beer or making chocolate.
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