Hildegarde Hawthorne (1871–1952)

Written by the granddaughter of Nathaniel Hawthorne, this is a story of Jamestown and Williamsburg, from the founding through the neglect and decay on to the preservation and restoration. The author is engaging and manages to find many interesting details to enhance the narrative. She describes people, structures and the forces which moved or affected them. I expected this to be dry, something I would skim for facts then pass on, but I found myself involved in the tale and enjoying it very much. Hawthorne has a light and fanciful touch without becoming precious or maudlin. Some of the mentions of people of other races clash with modern ears, but were not so unusual in the times this book was written, 1941. The illustrations by E. H. Suydam are fine drawings.… (mer)