History

The William & Mary Alumni House is located in the heart of historic Williamsburg, Virginia, on the campus of William & Mary. Research suggests that the original portion of the House, known as the Bright House, dates from the 1870s and was built on a tract of land called “New Hope.”

At various points in its history, the Bright House has served as an infirmary, faculty apartments and home to the Kappa Alpha fraternity. As the function of the house changed, so did its exterior appearance, which underwent several renovations over the years, all the while retaining its mid-19th century architectural identity.

Through the generosity of many friends, the Alumni House was expanded in the late 1990s and again in 2020. Now, the Alumni House is ready to serve the community and more than 100,000 alumni worldwide. The William & Mary Alumni Association’s expansion and renovation project makes the Alumni House one of the largest social gathering spaces on campus and in Williamsburg, at nearly 53,000 square feet. The project added approximately 33,000 square feet to the current building. Construction began in January 2019 and was completed in summer 2020.