Historic District in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

McRae-Willard House

1851; 1896

— James F. Post, architect/R.B. & J.C. Wood, builders/Benjamin Franklin Mitchell, renovation architect —

McRae-Willard House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. McRae-Willard House Marker

Inscription. Italianate Cubical cottage, in the Tuscan style, built for Duncan K. McRae (1820-1888), native of Fayetteville, lawyer, politician, foreign diplomat, orator and Confederate colonel; and wife, Louise Virginia Henry (1825-1906). Purchased in 1866 by Albert A. Willard (1828-1902), native of MA, commission merchant; and wife, Mary Hannis Stevenson (1834-1913). In 1896, enlarged and renovated in the Neoclassical Revival style by son Martin S. Willard (1858-1933); and wife, Elizabeth Oliver (1857-1914). He was an insurance agent, county commissioner, NC state representative, and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in North Carolina. His second wife Margaret Glendy Martin (1880-1950) lived here until her death and the house remained in family until 1959.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 34° 13.99′ N,

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77° 56.514′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is at the intersection of Orange Street and South 6th Street, on the left when traveling west on Orange Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 520 Orange St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hashagen House (within shouting distance of this marker); Moore-Troy House (within shouting distance of this marker); Van Amringe House (within shouting

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

2. McRae-Willard House Marker

distance of this marker); Woodbury-Hoggard House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bettie Kenan Price House (within shouting distance of this marker); William A. Vollers House (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Skinner House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Price-Warren-Lane House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Wilmington Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this property and was listed in 1974. (Prepared by Survey and Planning Unit, North Carolina Division of Archives and History; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on December 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Wilmington Historic District Boundary Expansion and Additional Documentation (PDF). National Register nomination that expanded the district in 2003. (Prepared by Sherry Joines Wyatt and L. Robbie King; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on December 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Duncan Kirkland McRae (1820-1888) image. Click for full size.

Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina, Walter Clark, ed. (Public Domain), circa 1861

3. Duncan Kirkland McRae (1820-1888)

He served a single term in the N.C. House of Commons but unsuccessfully sought the governorship and a seat in the Confederate Congress. He later criticized the Civil War in private, calling it "an enterprise begun in folly and conducted with imbecility of Legislation to a disastrous failure."

Martin Stevenson Willard (1858-1933) image. Click for full size.

Biographical history of North Carolina… , Samuel A. Ashe (1906) via Google Books (Public Domain)

4. Martin Stevenson Willard (1858-1933)

As a state legislator, he wrote the bill that created the North Carolina Department of Insurance and the State Fire Marshalls office. He also was a New Hanover County commissioner and member of the county's health board.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on December 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on December 13, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.