The Chesa­peake House – Archi­tec­tural Inves­ti­ga­tion by Colonial Williamsburg

An essen­tial refer­ence for schol­ars, preser­va­tion­ists, and enthu­si­asts of early Amer­i­can archi­tec­ture, The Chesa­peake House presents the culmi­na­tion of more than three decades of archi­tec­tural inves­ti­ga­tion by the team at Colo­nial Williams­burg. Focus­ing on Virginia and Mary­land, this richly illus­trated volume offers ground­break­ing insight into the region’s vernac­u­lar and gentry build­ing tradi­tions from the colo­nial era through the early national period.

Written by a multi­dis­ci­pli­nary team of histo­ri­ans, cura­tors, and conser­va­tors, the book explores the archi­tec­tural fabric of the Chesa­peake through essays on build­ing prac­tices, mate­ri­als, hard­ware, finishes, and furnish­ings — unpack­ing how these elements commu­ni­cated social status and shaped daily life. Lavishly illus­trated with photographs, plans, and detailed diagrams, the volume also includes cata­logues of key archi­tec­tural features, making it a prac­ti­cal guide as well as a scholarly achievement.

A visu­ally stun­ning and deeply infor­ma­tive resource, this first edition belongs in the library of anyone passion­ate about historic archi­tec­ture and the cultural history of the American South.