Letters from Rev. Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin to Elizabeth Hayes During Trip to Great Britain and France, 1929 Box 1, Folder 1
- Abstract Or Scope
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Letters written to Elizabeth Hayes by Rev. Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin during his trip to Great Britain and France in 1929 where he did research and made contacts for the restoration of Williamsburg. He purposefully wrote the letters as a diary of his trip, noting that the letters "contain the only record I am making of people seen, their names and addresses and the circumstances surrounding the conferences with them..." Letters tell of his research at various repositories, visits to dignitaries and historians and the newspaper notices in local papers requesting information that would be helpful to restoring Colonial Williamsburg. He meets Lady Astor and later has lunch and a tour with Lord and Lady Astor at their home, Glivedon. He sees official copy of the charter for the College of William and Mary. His letters are descriptive and often opinionated about the places he visits and people he sees and meets. He best sums up the letters on September 8, 1929, "I hope I have not been too long-drawn-out in recording impressions-It has been lonely being obliged to see these places and spots of loveliness and historic interest alone - The Diary has been a record of impressions, accomplishments and business contacts..."
- Collection Context