Between a Rock and a Card Catalog

The John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library—affectionately known as "the Rock"—is the research library of Colonial Williamsburg. It houses five main collections: the Reference and Circulating Collections, Visual Resources, Special Collections, Media Collections, and Corporate Archives.

Topics range from colonial history to modern museum education, with collections that include photographs, 18th-century newspapers, and even board games! Read on to discover the collections and object highlights in the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library.

The Reference and Circulating Collections consist of over 70,000 books and journals. Researchers and visitors alike use the collection to investigate topics like archaeology, museum studies, early American history, and more.

The Visual Resources Collection holds over a half million photographs, drawings, scrapbooks, postcards, and graphics providing visual documentation of Colonial Williamsburg’s history.

It includes architectural drawings like this 1932 sketch of the Governor’s Palace by Arthur Shurcliff, an American landscape architect.

It also documents Williamsburg’s long history through historic photography, including the restoration of Williamsburg that began in 1926. This photo shows workmen restoring the Raleigh Tavern in 1931.

Visual Resources also holds the Albert Durant Collection. Durant, the first city-licensed African American photographer in Williamsburg, captured everyday life of the Black community. This invaluable resource presents a unique view into Williamsburg’s history.

The Rock’s Special Collections holds over 11,800 rare books, covering topics like architecture, domestic crafts, medicine, and more.

The oldest book in the collection—pictured here—is the 1493 printing of the Nuremberg Chronicle, an encyclopedia of world history.

Researchers can learn about colonial life from first-hand accounts in the manuscript collections of the Rock.

The John Norton and Sons Papers (1763–1798) provide valuable insight into the life of 18th-century merchants in Virginia.

From 1736 to 1780, Williamsburg was a hub of news as multiple newspapers called the Virginia Gazette were published in town, sometimes at the same time. Special Collections holds over 500 unique issues of the Virginia Gazette, including this April 8, 1773, issue announcing the discovery of a counterfeiting scheme.

Media Collections gathers and preserves Colonial Williamsburg’s audiovisual materials, both past and present. This includes more than 400,000 digital images, motion picture films, and educational audio and video productions from 1930 to the present.

Media Collections houses the original 1957 motion picture film Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot as well as intriguing behind-the-scenes images of the film's creation. It also holds other films created at Colonial Williamsburg.

Colonial Williamsburg has been featured in more than just films… it also makes the news!

Media Collections documents the behind-the-scenes stories of how national programs like Good Morning America brought Williamsburg's rich history into households around the country.

The Rock’s Corporate Archives preserves and provides access to records related to the 20th-century restoration and continuing story of Colonial Williamsburg.

No matter how small or ephemeral the item, it has a home with our Corporate Archives.

Corporate Archives is invaluable in understanding the history of Colonial Williamsburg itself… after 100 years, it can be difficult to remember who said what, and when. Archival records help ensure the history of Colonial Williamsburg is told accurately.

Board games, like “The Great Game of Visiting Williamsburg,” held in Corporate Archives, are one of the many ways Colonial Williamsburg has educated and entertained throughout the past 100 years, making connections to those who couldn’t visit in-person.

The Rock doesn’t just collect “old” things; we’re also collecting new things every day! In an ongoing effort to support preservation and to document the current work of Colonial Williamsburg, Media Collections’ digital imaging specialists capture new photography daily.

The Rock is proud to provide access and resources to all who wish to learn about history and to preserve these resources for future generations.

Research done at the Rock directly supports the interpretation provided in the Historic Area, as evidenced by this accolade from one of our historic interpreters.

The library staff provides expert research assistance to onsite and remote researchers.

Researchers can ask questions in person, on the phone, or by email.

Ready to begin your research, or just want to explore our collections? We welcome you to use the growing collection of resources at the Rock. Visit our online catalog or website, or submit an inquiry today.

In Williamsburg? The Rock is open to the public on weekdays.