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

John Kay House

1921

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. John Kay House Marker

Inscription. Neoclassical style house built for John Wolcott Kay (1890-1927), native of Weldon, NC, physician; and wife, Willie Virginia Otey (1894-1992), native of Raleigh, NC, dressmaker and designer. Served the Black community as a funeral home for seven decades, first as Robert H. Scott Funeral Home from 1937 to 1960 and then as Smith's Funeral Home from 1960 to 2007. Purchased for protection by the Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina, Inc. in 2014.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. 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 1921.

Location. 34° 14.444′ N, 77° 56.463′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is at the intersection of North 7th Street and Walnut Street, on the right when traveling north on North 7th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 N 7th 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: Schnibben-Delta Sigma Theta Sorority House (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Foster F. Burnett House (within shouting distance of this marker); Telfair House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis-Telfair House (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Snipes-Taylor House (about 300 feet away); Bowdoin-Moore House (about 400 feet away); Sampson-Johnson House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Regarding John Kay House. John Kay and Willie Otey met at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., where both graduated in 1912 – he with a medical degree and she with a degree in home economics. Three years later the couple married and moved to Wilmington, where John opened a medical practice and co-founded a hospital for African Americans. He and Willie also had seven children in nine years (two died in infancy). In 1927, John began feeling unwell but delayed treatment to focus on his patients. He died on March 6, 1927 following emergency surgery for a ruptured abdominal hernia, leaving Willie alone with five children aged one to nine. Returning

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. John Kay House Marker

to her parents’ home in Raleigh, the young widow took up dressmaking to support her family. Over the next six decades she created hundreds of wedding, bridesmaid, debutante and party dresses for the wives and daughters of elected officials, business leaders and society families, both black and white. She became renowned beyond North Carolina: She was featured in a 1935 McCall’s magazine article and one of her dresses appeared on a July 1951 Life magazine cover. Willie sewed into her 90s, and died Sept. 25, 1992 at the age of 98.

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 January 23, 2025, 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 January 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Especially for You: The Otey Sisters of Raleigh

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. Online exhibit showcasing 20th century formalwear made by Raleigh’s renowned Otey sisters. (North Carolina Museum of History) (Submitted on January 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 240 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.