Sunken Garden
From Special Collections Research Center Wiki
The Sunken Garden is located to the rear of the Wren Building, running southwest, on the campus of the College of William and Mary.
1919-23--designed by College Architect Charles M. Robinson, working closely with JAC Chandler. Design reportedly based on Wren works seen in England, especially Chelsea Hospital (Subject File folder Buildings and Grounds--Sunken Gardens)
1923--first mentioned in correspondence between (JAC Chandler and Charles F. Gillette, October 1923 (1982.45 under Budget-Employment Landscape Architect Charles Gillette)
• Mr. Gillette, a landscape architect, is working on a plan which will cost $1000...I am afraid, however, that his landscape plan will call for an expenditure of $25,000 or $30,000, which, of course we will not have for a long time (BofV, June 1923, p. 62.)
• Charles M. Robinson to draw plans for buildings.
1924--first mentioned in Board minutes, Feb 12, 1924, p. 68, to be omitted from building plans drawn by landscape architect Charles F. Gillette due to excessive cost.
1933--Dr. Chandler reported that a Civilian Conservation Camp had been assigned to the College for the purpose of beautifying and improving the grounds. He recommended that the Board again consider the idea of a Sunken Garden. This recommendation was adopted and the President was authorized to employ Mr. Charles F. Gillette to supervise the landscape work (BofV, Oct. 4, 1933, p. 447)
• Upon motion duly made and seconded, the bill of Mr. Charles F. Gillette for $1400.00 for services rendered as architect for the Sunken Garden was approved and ordered to be paid (BovV, Oct. 4, 1933, p. 456)
1935-36--constructed by A.L. Phillips Sons
1935--Virtually completed (FH, 9/21/1935, 1) boxwood planted, shrubbery completed (FH, 12/3/1935, 1; FH, 2/23/1979, 2)
Photographs: 1937-Colonial Echo, p. 23; 1982-Colonial Echo, p. 29
References
- University Archives Buildings File (2007), Sunken Garden, Earl Gregg Swem Library, The College of William and Mary.
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