Merchants Square

Merchants Square is a 20th-century interpretation of an 18th-century-style retail village in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[3]

Merchants Square and Resort Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Virginia Landmarks Register
Merchants Square in spring
Show map of Virginia Show map of the United States
Location	Boundary St., Duke of Gloucester St., S. England St., Francis St., Henry St. Prince George St., Williamsburg, Virginia
Coordinates	37°16′14″N 76°42′6″W
Area	49 acres (20 ha)
Built	1927 (1927)
Architect	Perry, Shaw & Hepburn et al.
Architectural style	Colonial, Colonial Revival
NRHP reference No.	06000365[1]
VLR No.	137-5027
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	May 3, 2006
Designated VLR	December 7, 2005[2]

History

Conceived in 1927 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Reverend W. A. R. Goodwin,^[4] Merchants Square is considered to be one of the first planned shopping districts in the United States, if not the first.^[4] Small shops throughout Williamsburg would move into a centrally located area that used architecture that was in harmony with the restoration's character. William G. Perry, chief architect of the Williamsburg Restoration, designed the shopping district.^[5]

Most of the stores and shops are located on Duke of Gloucester Street (DoG St.) right across from The College of William & Mary’s campus.^[4] To keep the area as close to historical accuracy as possible, all telephone wires were placed underground, and modern day technologies such as air-conditioning ducts and garage equipment were hidden with shrubs and plantings.^[4]

Present day

Another view of the square

Today there are over 40 shops and restaurants located in Merchants Square.^[6] The area is also used for other purposes, such as seasonal concerts, a farmers' market, and special movie screenings.^[6]