4 THENEW-YORKHISTORICALSOCIETY about three-quarters of a mile in length—together with the greens, squares or commons bordering this historic thoroughfare. The property was purchased during the years 1927 and 1928, most of it outright. In some cases former owners were given life tenure, while homes were provided for all of the people who had lived in the 321 buildings which have been torn down. Exhaustive studies of the city were made from every angle. Engineers studied the water and sanitary systems, as well as the light and telephone facilities. Fire prevention, housing—both residential and commercial—and tree surgery were among the early problems. They were followed by a minute study of colonial architecture, archaeological invesigations and consultation of his- tch^cal literature, both in this country and abroad. This gigantic task is being carried on by a small army of workers covering almost every field of endeavor. The historical records of the country have been combed for every reference to Williamsburg and its people in order that no facts might escape the investigators in reconstructing the colonial city. This search included the old applications for fire insurance on colonial dwellings, secured through the Mutual Assurance Society, which have proven valuable evidence in restoration work. The greatest help was a map drawn by a French engineer, in 1786, showing the arrangement of the buildings and streets of Williamsburg at the close of the American Revolution. The "Frenchman's Map," as it is called, is of unknown origin and authorship, and was presented to the College of William and Mary some years ago by a New York lawyer who died before he could be questioned concerning its source. Its remarkable accuracy has been revealed by the excavations. Early newspapers, wills, deeds, court records, letters, journals and account books, wherever found, have been, or are being, investigated in this dragnet search for information. With all these data in hand, the restoration or reconstruction of a building is carefully carried on. The procedure is best, described in the official handbook, "The Williamsburg Restoration," 1931, from which we quote the following paragraphs: "The restoration of an' existing home or building is- begun with a thorough study of its history as to architecture, ownership and occupancy'. Many colonial buildings have been changed and renovated in recent years. Former owners and