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Annual Report 2005

A Record Year

The campaign for Colonial Williamsburg reached $471 million of its $500 million goal in 2005. Supporters made gifts, grants, and pledges totaling $70.9 million, and 109,000 individuals contributed $13.4 million to the annual fund—an increase of $1 million, or 7.6 percent, more than in 2004. It was the fourth consecutive year of participation by more than 100,000 people.

Some of the generous and extraordinary gifts included: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Batten Sr. of Virginia Beach provided $3 million for a citizenship website. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Lasser of White Plains, New York, pledged their collection of Massachusetts silver coins and early American medals. Mrs. Ann Lee Saunders Brown of Richmond created a $2 million endowment for Governor's Palace gardens. Mr. and Mrs. Paul F. Miller Jr. of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, established a $1 million gift to endow the Courthouse. The Grainger Foundation of Lake Forest, Illinois, gave $1.5 million for apprenticeships in cabinetmaking and blacksmithing.

A $1 million gift from the Steven Miller family of Houston provided a $750,000 endowment for Hay's Cabinetmaking Shop; $100,000 to endow the Nation Builders interpretive program; $100,000 to underwrite A Day in the Life, a set of instructional videos and teaching resources CD, and a Children's Guide to Colonial Williamsburg; and a $50,000 endowment for interpretive training and enrichment.

Harry H. Coon of Glenview, Illinois, committed his Virginia plantation, Seven Springs, to Colonial Williamsburg through a bequest. Penelope P. Proserpi of Reading, Pennsylvania, donated her residence subject to a life estate. Mr. and Mrs. Alan Coleman of Greenbrae, California, committed $2 million to endow the George Wythe House.