Wren Building

The Wren Building is a college hall in Williamsburg that belongs to the campus of William & Mary and was built in red brick with a Flemish Bond pattern. Inside are classrooms, faculty offices, a great hall and a chapel with underground vaults.

The hall was built between 1695 and 1700 and has served continuously as a teaching facility ever since. After several fires, the structure was rebuilt each time and most recently restored in 1999.

Students pass through the collegiate hall at convocation and again at graduation, marking the beginning and end of their studies. Every December, members of the college gather for the Yule Log ceremony, a tradition observed each winter.

The east entrance provides access to public areas, while teaching spaces are located on the upper floor. Tours are offered regularly, as parts of the hall remain in active use for classes.

Two cannons from the Battle of Yorktown still stand at the east entrance and bear the initials of King George II. These guns were placed on campus after the 1781 battle.

Location: Virginia

Inception: 1695

Architects: Christopher Wren

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 37.27080,-76.70920

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28