Merchants Square
Retail village in Williamsburng, Virginia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Merchants Square is a 20th-century interpretation of an 18th-century-style retail village in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
Merchants Square and Resort Historic District | |
Merchants Square in spring | |
   | |
| Location | Boundary St., Duke of Gloucester St., S. England St., Francis St., Henry St. Prince George St., Williamsburg, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°16′14″N 76°42′6″W |
| Area | 49 acres (20 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Perry, Shaw & Hepburn et al. |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 06000365[1] |
| VLR No. | 137-5027 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | May 3, 2006 |
| Designated VLR | December 7, 2005[2] |
History
Conceived in 1927 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Reverend W. A. R. Goodwin,[4] Merchants Square is considered to be one of the first planned shopping districts in the United States, if not the first.[4] Small shops throughout Williamsburg would move into a centrally located area that used architecture that was in harmony with the restoration's character. William G. Perry, chief architect of the Williamsburg Restoration, designed the shopping district.[5]
Most of the stores and shops are located on Duke of Gloucester Street (DoG St.) right across from The College of William & Mary’s campus.[4] To keep the area as close to historical accuracy as possible, all telephone wires were placed underground, and modern day technologies such as air-conditioning ducts and garage equipment were hidden with shrubs and plantings.[4]
Present day
Today there are over 40 shops and restaurants located in Merchants Square.[6] The area is also used for other purposes, such as seasonal concerts, a farmers' market, and special movie screenings.[6]
