During his second incumbency in Williamsburg, Dr. Goodwin became increasingly impressed with the possibility of preserving this old capital city as it was in its first period of importance. Only a few other cities in America had the importance of Williamsburg in the founding of our nation; and the others—Boston and Philadelphia—had long since been swallowed up in great commercial cities. Williamsburg, on the other hand, had remained for two hundred years very much the same both in spirit and in physical appearance. Through the years it had continued as the county-seat of an agricultural county and the trading center of another similar one; no industries, no skyscrapers, no conflagrations had changed it. To be sure, a few modern buildings would have to be removed and a considerable number of ancient ones rebuilt. But, at that, it remained the only center of colonial political importance where a thorough restoration was thinkable. [Illustration: HOME OF ROBERT CARTER NICHOLAS] In connection with meetings of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, Dr. Goodwin convinced Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., of the soundness of his views in this regard and studied the situation with him in its broad features. The following year (1927) Mr. Rockefeller definitely determined to undertake, with the coöperation of the City, the restoration of the ancient part of Williamsburg to its condition as of mid-18th century—an undertaking which is probably the greatest educational accomplishment of the present century. The restoration is not yet completed and it is unlikely that further construction will be possible during the war. It may be roughly estimated as within eighty or ninety percent of completion. The First Theater in America is the outstanding public building not yet reconstructed; the number of residences still awaiting attention is indefinite but not large. [Illustration: BASSETT HALL] Not far from half the buildings now standing in the old part of the city are the identical buildings which have lasted through from pre-Revolutionary days. These buildings have been thoroughly repaired, any modern additions removed and their grounds planted with such trees and flowers as probably were there in the 18th century. These buildings are technically described as “restored” in distinction from those which had been destroyed and are “reconstructed.” A comparison of each restored building with its condition just before restoration would be interesting. The principal case available is that of the Cole Shop in which hangs an oil painting loaned by Mrs. Rockefeller and showing the interior of the shop in 1938 in contrast with its present condition which is supposed to be as it was in 1780.