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 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. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

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: West Freemason Street Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); Taylor-Whittle House, 1791 (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Norfolk Public Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); The John Cary-Weston House, circa 1870 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Selden House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Epworth United Methodist Church, 1894 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Norfolk College for Young Ladies (approx. 0.2 miles away); Observation Tower (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

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 1,368 times since then and 43 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.