The Renewal and Renovation of the Brafferton

An effort to preserve one of the university's most important historic buildings.

From 2011 to 2013, William & Mary undertook the renewal and renovation of the Brafferton (1723), the second-oldest building on the university's historic campus. With the support of the Lettie Pate Evans, Mary Morton Parsons, and Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundations, and the William & Mary Classes of 1961 and 1962, the Brafferton received the attention it so richly deserves.

Among the interior renovations made to the Brafferton were the installation of a new heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system and new plumbing. Safety measures included installing smoke detection and sprinkler systems and emergency lighting, as well as removing asbestos or other hazardous materials. While the third floor is modern and was modified to meet the needs of the offices of the President and Provost, the university maintained the existing original floor plan of the first and second floors as historically significant spaces.

Work was completed on the exterior of the Brafferton as well. The brick walls are the most substantially original of the university's three colonial buildings, and they were repointed, cleaned and repaired. Several problems of drainage were addressed and the 1932 terra cotta roof was replaced with new, identical tiles. Additionally, the Brafferton Kitchen, a reconstructed building (1932) immediately adjacent to the Brafferton, was made fully accessible to be used as an alternative office and meeting location.