West Freemason in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
James W. Hunter House, 1894
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
1. James W. Hunter House, 1894 Marker
Inscription.
James W. Hunter House, 1894. . James Wilson Hunter (1850-1931) was a prominent Norfolk merchant, banker and civic leader. In 1894 he commissioned Boston architect W.P. Wentworth to design and build this impressive town home for his family on West Freemason Street. The design represents the Romanesque Revival style of architecture made popular by noted architect Henry Hobson Richardson in the late 1800s. James and his wife Lizzie Ayer Barnes Hunter had three children. None of the children married and all lived out their lives in this house. James W. Hunter, Jr. (1878-1940) served as a medic in World War I and was later a noted physician specializing in the fields of cardiology and radiology. The Hunter sisters, Harriett Cornelia (1880-1958) and Eloise Dexter (1885-1965), were very active in local, state and national patriotic and genealogical societies. As the last surviving member of the family, Eloise left her family home and its collection to be used as a museum of Victorian architecture and decorative arts. A foundation created by her estate refurbished the house and administers the museum today.
James Wilson Hunter (1850-1931) was a prominent Norfolk merchant, banker and civic leader. In 1894 he commissioned Boston architect W.P. Wentworth to design and build this impressive town home for his family on West Freemason Street. The design represents the Romanesque Revival style of architecture made popular by noted architect Henry Hobson Richardson in the late 1800s. James and his wife Lizzie Ayer Barnes Hunter had three children. None of the children married and all lived out their lives in this house. James W. Hunter, Jr. (1878-1940) served as a medic in World War I and was later a noted physician specializing in the fields of cardiology and radiology. The Hunter sisters, Harriett Cornelia (1880-1958) and Eloise Dexter (1885-1965), were very active in local, state and national patriotic and genealogical societies. As the last surviving member of the family, Eloise left her family home and its collection to be used as a museum of Victorian architecture and decorative arts. A foundation created by her estate refurbished the house and administers the museum today.
Erected by City of Norfolk.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 36° 51.139′ N, 76° 17.555′
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W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in West Freemason. Marker is at the intersection of West Freemason Street and Duke Street, on the right when traveling west on West Freemason Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 240 W Freemason St, Norfolk VA 23510, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Hunter House Victorian Museum. (Submitted on October 13, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
2. James W. Hunter House, 1894 Marker
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
3. James W. Hunter House, 1894 Marker
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, August 10, 2010
4. James W. Hunter House, 1894 Marker
(left) The Hunter children, left to right, Harriett, James, Eloise. (center) The refurbished parlor featuring eclectic furnishings and original art Family photo courtesy of the Hunter House Victorian Museum. (right) Jame Wilson Hunter (1850-1931)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 932 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.