William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia lost its main building, in a disastrous fire that broke out at around one in the morning, probably in the science laboratory. All students sleeping in their rooms were awakened in time to escape and no injuries were reported. As a crowd from the town gathered, the college records and the college seal were saved, along with some historical paintings and antique furniture, but all the college library books and all of its scientific apparatus were destroyed along with the building. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
Robert J. Morrison, "The Destruction of the College Edifice by Fire on the 8th of February, 1859," William and Mary Quarterly 28 (1920): 230-231.
Record Data
Date Certainty
Exact
Type
Crime/Disasters
