About this property
The James Semple House is a historic house on Francis Street in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia. Built about 1770, it is a prominent early example of Classical Revival residential architecture, whose design has been attributed to Thomas Jefferson. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970. The James Semple House stands in historic Colonial Williamsburg, a short way south of the Capitol on the south side of East Francis Street. It is a wood-frame structure, with a central two-story section flanked by single-story wings set at a recess. The central block is covered by a front-facing gabled roof with full pediment, while the wings have side-facing gables. The central block is three bays wide, with a center entrance topped by a transom window and sheltered by a gabled portico. The portico is supported by Doric columns, and has a dentillated pediment and eaves. The exact date of construction of this house is uncertain, but was probably around 1770. Early owners of the house were the Harrison family, and Benjamin Harrison V sold it sometime before 1769 to Dr. William Pasteur. Surviving documentation suggests that a house may have been standing on the lot when Pasteur acquired it, but it is also possible that Pasteur had the house built after purchasing the land. Its designer is also uncertain, and has been ascribed by some authorities to Thomas Jefferson on the basis of its similarity to other known Jefferson designs. The house was acquired in 1801 by Dr. James Semple. Future U.S. president John Tyler, a relative of the Semples, resided here while attending school. After passing through several other owners, it was purchased by Colonial Williamsburg in 1928. At the time of its landmark designation in 1970, it was used by Colonial Williamsburg as executive housing. National Register of Historic Places listings in Williamsburg, Virginia Media related to James Semple House at Wikimedia Commons James Semple House, Williamsburg, Virginia, one photo at Virginia DHR Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. VA-911, "Semple House, Francis Street, Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA", 1 photo, supplemental material
Location
Categories
Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Everything a full report reveals about Semple, James, House
This page lists Semple, James, House. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Questions about this property
When was Semple, James, House listed on the National Register?
Semple, James, House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 1970.
What type of historic resource is Semple, James, House?
Semple, James, House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
Is Semple, James, House a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. Semple, James, House has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.
What is the period of significance for Semple, James, House?
The period of significance for Semple, James, House is recorded as the colonial era, specifically around 1770.
Can I research the history near Semple, James, House?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Semple, James, House will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
More in Williamsburg County
Historic places, battles, and census history across Williamsburg County.
Explore WilliamsburgCounty ›More historic places in Virginia
Browse all historic places in Virginia.
View Virginiahistoric sites ›Research the history near this site
An Aubrey US report for an address near Semple, James, House will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.