Williamsburg Residence Fife & Drum Inn We’ll be taking over the Fife and Drum Inn, right in the heart of Merchant’s Square and Colonial Williamsburg. Since our group has booked the entire inn, we’ll have the whole place to ourselves! Location & Logistics: The inn is perfectly situated for exploring: Easy Access: Most Colonial Williamsburg sites, bars, and restaurants are within walking distance or a short bus ride away. Breakfast: A continental breakfast is served daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The View: We have full access to their rooftop deck, perfect for winding down after a day of sightseeing.
Location Map
History of The Fife and Drum Inn This is a family-owned bed and breakfast that reflects the 20th-century restoration of Williamsburg. The property has been in the same family for generations, evolving from a local business into a specialized historic inn. The Hitchens Family and the 1933 Building The building’s history is tied to A.W. Hitchens, the grandfather of the current owner, Sharon Scruggs. Originally, Hitchens operated a general store on Duke of Gloucester Street, but in 1933, he sold that land to John D. Rockefeller Jr. as part of the massive effort to restore Williamsburg to its 18th-century appearance. 1933 Construction: Following the sale of his original store, Hitchens built the current redbrick structure at 441 Prince George Street to house new storefronts with apartments on the second floor. Restoration Ties: The Hitchens family remained deeply involved in the town's transformation; Sharon’s grandmother, Mary Hitchens, even operated an early guest home called "The Cedars" to help meet the growing demand for visitor lodging during the restoration. Opening of the Inn: While the building has stood since the early 1930s, its life as the Fife and Drum Inn began much later when Sharon and her husband, Billy Scruggs, fulfilled a long-held vision for the property. 1999 Launch: The Scruggs family officially opened the inn in 1999 after a comprehensive renovation of the second-story apartments. The Namesake: The inn is named after the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps, a musical military tradition from the Revolutionary War that remains a central part of the town's daily life. Preservation and Decor: The inn serves as a mini-museum of local history, with each room curated to tell a specific story of the "Historic Triangle" (Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown). Historic Artifacts: Guest rooms feature antique prints and memorabilia, including letters from restoration founders John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin to the Hitchens family. Richneck Plantation Finds: Some displays include 17th-century glass and pottery fragments discovered by the owners' sons in a nearby wooded ravine, which were later identified by archaeologists as part of the original 1640 Richneck Plantation.

 

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