Historic Williamsburg

35. Scrivener Store

Williamsburg, VA

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The Scrivener Store on Duke of Gloucester Street was constructed sometime around 1762. It replaced an earlier structure, erected around 1717, that had been used by James Shields as a tavern. Joseph Scrivener operated a general store from the new building until he passed away in 1772. Dr. John M. Galt and possibly his son, Alexander Dickie Galt, became the subsequent owners. Information about the property's ownership after this time period is limited because most of James City County's records were destroyed during the Civil War. The house itself survived the war, as evidenced by its appearance in two circa 1900 photographs, but was destroyed some time during the early twentieth century. The photos, as well as archaeological evidence and historic documentation, allowed Colonial Williamsburg to faithfully reconstruct this eighteenth-century building.