Historic Williamsburg

42. The Golden Ball

Williamsburg, VA

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The Golden Ball is located near the Capitol on the north side of Duke of Gloucester Street. House of Burgesses member John Holloway constructed the original building some time before 1724 and sold the building to innkeeper Henry Bowcock soon after construction was complete. Jeweler and silversmith James Craig leased part of the property in 1765 and purchased the entire estate in 1766. Craig's children inherited the building after he passed away in 1793, and the property remained in the family until 1847. The building passed through a succession of owners until it was torn down in 1907. Colonial Williamsburg acquired the property in 1933, and rebuilt the structure between 1948 and 1949. The building was used as a private residence for several years before it opened as an exhibition building in 1955. Silversmiths at the Golden Ball currently create and sell unique pieces of gold and silver jewelry, as well as other items such as teapots, coffee pots, bottle labels and spoons.