The Williamsburg Inn was built in 1936-37 under the patronage of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., as a vehicle to advance the message of the restored colonial capital to a larger audience. Inspired by early 19th-century models, the Boston firm of Perry, Shaw and Hepburn departed from the strict interpretation of the colonial style of the restored area to create a premier resort hotel. The resulting complex reflects the intimate involvement of Rockefeller himself who influenced the design to embody his demand for exacting levels of comfort and service. With regard to its planning he wrote: “Careful brooding study of every detail of a bedroom, particularly where small, is, in my experience, the only way in which to get a satisfactory result.” In its decades of service, the Williamsburg Inn has hosted numerous heads of state and international conferences.