Evening star., 1948-11-28
7 raveIer's Notebook
Greenbrier Plans for Winter Season

orier Plans for Winter
I By Jacques FutreIIe. Jr.
The Star's TravsI Editor
perfectionists-will be going on fol
the next 10 years. The research
and architect stats estimate an.
other decade will be required tt
carry out the vision that already
has led to the re-erection of some
230 long-forgotten buildings and re-
conversion of nearly 80 others te
their original design. Work on the
final 100 projects to complete the
structural revival of the old city
was begun this year.
Already on the drawing boards
are plans for the Kings Arms Tav.
ern, opposite Raleigh Tavern or
the Duke Of Gloucester street; Brush
House, facing the Palace Green
and a number of residences anc
small shops.
George Washington was q fre.
quent. guest at the Kings Arms
With painstaking research and exc
cution Of detail, restoration officials
hope to duplicate the structure &C
faithfully that Washington, Patrick
Henry and other famous Williams
burg visitors Of two centuries age
could walk in, barely suspecting goth
century reconstruction.
Unlike the tavern, the small
Brush House survived the years and
fires that proved the undoing OF
so many Williamsburg landmarks
Inspection has revealed exquisite
panelling in the white frame build.
| ing. Nevertheless, it typifes the
less pretentious Colonial residence
Work on restoring the so-called
Debtors Prison was completed ir
September. 1t is now used as q
residence.
A new exhibition group will be
offered visitors when the old guard
house Is completed. Standing In
the shadow Of the public magazine
the severely simple structure will
present the military side Of Colonial
life.
The guardhouse would have been
ready long ago had pot unexpected
new evidence brought about COM
plets reworking Of the plans. In
starting the first project since
World War II suspended construc-
ton, arcnaeologists unearthed new
traces Of the foundation. The
chimney was at the east end, not
in the center; the first floor had
only one room, not two.
The exterior of the one-and-a-
half-story guarohouse is virtually
finished now. Equipped with small
weapons and military paraphernalia
of the times, 1t is expected to be
opened for exhibit next spring.
But such new authenticity as the
guardhouse is not the sole reason
for the return of those who for
tunately live near enough-five
hours Of driving from Washington
for repeated visits to Williamsburg
The recreated atmosphere ir
which the Nations founding faith.
ers lived Is too rich to absorb ir
one short visit. Some prefer tt
acquaint themselves with the res.
toration's meaning and beauty ir
the fashion Ito use a homely par
alleD of the chicken drinking
water: A dip, then head raised fol-
a swallow; another dip. another
swallow. Yet living" history Is
pleasant to take.
Then, too, former visitors are
drawn back by the odd charm Of
living with one foot in the 18th
century, the other in the luxury OF
modern hotel facilities, telephones
autos and golf
To allow q more speedy appre-
citation of the restoration, a brief
ing" program has been set up for
visitors. Near the inn, temporary
reception center has been built
There, every so minutes between
am. and 8 pm. begins Williams
burg's Introductory show.
The program, which was begun
this year, consists of q sound re-
cording accompanied by color slides
entitled prelude to independence.
1t gives a quick summary of Colo
nial American history and under
lines the Williamsburg chapter. A
motion picture, "I Am Williams
burg" also is presented. 1t tells
the story Of the reconstructed city
with before and after" shots. Con-
cluding the program is a short
sound-slide talk on How to SEE
Williamsburg" Another program
providing background on Colonia
life is presented at 7:30 pm.
Most recent development in visi.
tor arrangements Is q special rate
for military personnel. Noncom-
missioned servicemen In uniform
now are entitled to the special stu.
dent charge Of only S1.25 for ad.
mission to the six restored or re.
constructed buildings. The military
rate was in effect during the wal
and continued until about q year
ago. It has been re-established be-
cause Of the reactivation of military
installations as part of the stepped
up defense program, officials of Co.
lonial Williamsburg have indicated
u
One of Miami Beachs luxury type
hotels-it has tiled swimming pool
solarium and conditioning In
the public rooms, among other
things-recently assisted q married
couple in budgeting their vacation
The management came up with q
figure below $400, and decided to
distribute the information generally
that an ocean front vacation OF
10 days, definitely on the luxury
side," can be "packaged" well within
$500. Transportation Is not included
in the figuring.
RESORTS.
MT. POCONO, PA.
ET vT"N1