Chap. 275.—An ACT to authorize the city of Williamsburg, and the county of
James City, to convey to W. A. R. Goodwin, agent, and to his successors,
property and property rights owned by the said city and county. [H B 123]

Approved March 21, 1928

Whereas in the year sixteen hundred and nineteen, representa-
tive government, on this continent, had its birth at Jamestown, in
the county of James City; and,

Whereas in sixteen hundred and thirty-two the present site of
Williamsburg was “laid out and paled in,” and in sixteen hundred
and ninety-nine the seat of government, for the colony of Virginia,
was moved to Williamsburg, a few miles from Jamestown; and,

Whereas the seat of the colonial government, in Virginia, re-
mained in the city of Williamsburg, until the revolution; and,

Whereas during the time that Williamsburg was the seat of the
colonial government, in Virginia, many buildings, structures and
lots or plats of land were built, erected, and laid out, which build-
ings, structures and lots or plats of land had, or have, an intimate
association with the formation of the republic; and,

Whereas W. A. R. Goodwin, agent, and associates, have pur-
chased many of the buildings, structures and lots or plats of land,
which are of intense historic interest and value, from the owners
thereof, which buildings, structures and lots or plats of land, some
of which, have been, and other are being, and are intended to be,
put, as near as possible, in such a condition as to represent them
as originally constructed and laid out, at great cost, with a view of
preserving and emphasizing the life and customs under which the
democracy of America had its birth and nurture; and,

Whereas the city of Williamsburg and the county of James City
have interests and property rights in certain buildings, structures
and lots or plats of land, in the city of Williamsburg, included in
the ownership in the said city or county being, the “Palace Green,”
upon which is erected a school house; the “Courthouse Green,”
upon which is erected the colonial courthouse, a portion of “Pow-
der Horn Green”; and other property not herein specifically men-
tioned; and,

Whereas it is the desire of the said W. A. R. Goodwin, agent,
and his associates, to obtain certain rights in the property of the
city of Williamsburg, and the county of James City, for the pur-
pose of restoring and, preserving the same, so as to contorm to
colonial plan and design, and the work which they are now carry-
ing forward with reference to the property obtained from private
ownership, and for the purpose of preserving the ancient squares
and the greens inviolate forever.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the
proper authorities of the city of Williamsburg, and the county of
James City, be, and they are, hereby, authorized and empowered
to transfer, assign and convey to the said W. A. R. Goodwin, agent,
or his associates, individual and/or corporate, and his or their suc-
cessors and assigns forever:

(a) The “Palace Green,” subject to the rights of the school
board therein:

(b) The courthouse, and the “Courthouse Green”’;

(c) The city’s portion of the “Powder Horn Green”;

(d) Any or all other property owned by the city or county,
subject to existing leases and rights;

(e) Any or all buildings owned by the city of Williamsburg,
whether on land owned by the said city, or not.

As a part of the condition and consideration for such transfers,
assignments and conveyances to said W. A. R. Goodwin, agent, or
to his associates, individual or corporate, the transferee or trans-
ferees, for himself, itself or themselves and for his, its or their suc-
cessors and assigns, shall agree:

(a) To preserve and to maintain the present public squares, lots,
plats or greens so transferred perpetually;

(b) To build and to lease to the city, without charge or rent,
except the consideration herein referred to, the following named
and described buildings, as may be agreed upon, so long as the said
city or county, either or both, desires to use the same, which build-
ings are to be constructed of brick, to-wit:

(1) Courthouse, which shall contain a court room, clerk’s of-
fice, jury room, judge’s chamber and treasurer’s office of adequate
dimension and arrangement to meet fully the present needs of the
present_tribunals and officers who are intended to occupy the same.

(2) A new jail building of proper size and arrangement for the
present joint needs of the said city and county.

(3) Adequate quarters in some building to be used as a meet-
ing place for the city council, as at present constituted, and,

(4) The present courthouse to be properly fitted for use as a
public library or for some other public purpose, which will be
advantageous to the public weal.

No permanent structure shall be erected upon the Courthouse
Green or Palace Green, by said W. A. R. Goodwin, agent, his asso-
ciates, or his or their successors or assigns, except that a replica of
the colonial governor’s palace, and outbuildings pertaining thereto,
may be erected upon the original site on Palace Green.

During the occupancy of any building or structure or any lot or
plat of land, referred to herein by the city of Williamsburg, or the
county of James City, either or both, no tax shall be assessed
against such building, structure, lot or plat of land, by the said
county or city, or the State of Virginia, against the said W. A. R.
Goodwin, agent, his associates, or his, or their successors or assigns.

The consideration, or considerations for the transfer, assign-
ment or conveyance of any of the property herein mentioned, in
addition to the conditions herein named, shall be as determined
by the governing bodies of the said city of Williamsburg, or the
county of James City, either or both, as their interest may appear.

An emergency existing, this act shall be in force and effect from
and after its passage.