Abby Aldrich Rockefeller

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller was born Abby Greene Aldrich on October 26, 1874 in Providence, Rhode Island. She was the daughter of Senator Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich and the former Abby Pearce Chapman.

Mrs. Rockefeller's early education came at the hands of Quaker governesses. She graduated from Miss Abbott's School for Young Ladies in 1893, which she began attending when she was 17. While there she studied such courses as French, German, art history and dancing.

In the fall of 1894, she met her future husband, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. at a friend's house in Providence. They married on October 9, 1901. They had six children:

Abby Rockefeller Mauzé (November 9, 1903 - May 27, 1976)

John Davison Rockefeller III (March 21, 1906 - July 10, 1978)

Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (July 8, 1908 - January 26, 1979)

Laurance Spelman Rockefeller (May 26, 1910 - July 11, 2004)

Winthrop Rockefeller (May 1, 1912 - February 22, 1973)

David Rockefeller (born June 15, 1915)

Mrs. Rockefeller was a patron of many philanthropic endeavors, most notable being her continued involvement with the Museum of Modern Art. She was elected to the Board of Trustees in October 1929, and also served as museum treasurer from 1929 until 1934. Her other roles included servings as First Vice President (1934-1936 and January-May,1939) and First Vice Chairman (1941-1945).

In the late 1920s, Abby and John Rockefeller were contacted by Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin who was rector of Bruton Parish Church and an instructor at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. After seeing Dr. Goodwin's restored church, they explored further his concept of a massive restoration of the city to its glory days prior to the American Revolution as the capital of the Virginia Colony. The Rockefellers became committed to funding the project. The result was Colonial Williamsburg, a Living history museum which became one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

Mrs. Rockefeller died at home in New York City on April 5, 1948.