Downtown in Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Willoughby-Baylor House, 1794

Photographed by Kevin Vincent, November 5, 2012

1. Willoughby-Baylor House, 1794 Marker

Inscription. This site was in the original Crown grant of 200 acres to Colonel Thomas Willoughby in 1636. Located on Freemason Street, so called because the Norfolk Royal Exchange Lodge of Masons erected the "Mason's Hall" on this site in 1764 as America's first Masonic Hall. The building subsequently was destroyed in the bombardment and burning of Norfolk in 1776. William Willoughby (1758-1800), a descendant of Thomas, purchased the property from the Masons in 1794 and built this Federal style town house. An active Mason, William Willoughby was both a successful merchant and in the contracting business. He served the community as a member of the Norfolk Borough Common Council. The Whilloughbys and their descendants, the Sharpe and Baylor families, occupied the house until 1890 when it was sold by Dr. John Baylor. By the 1960s the property had deteriorated. It was acquired by the Norfolk Historic Foundation, restored, and eventually donated to the City of Norfolk as a historic house museum.

Erected by City of Norfolk.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations

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• Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1636.

Location. 36° 50.971′ N, 76° 17.135′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Cumberland Street and East Freemason Street, on the right when traveling north on Cumberland Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 East Freemason Street, 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,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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

Willoughby-Baylor House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Vincent, November 5, 2012

2. Willoughby-Baylor House

this marker: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church & School (within shouting distance of this marker); Francis Drake, Free Black Barber (within shouting distance of this marker); Freemason Street Baptist Church (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Whitehead House, 1791 (about 500 feet away); The Cannonball Trail (about 500 feet away); St. Paul’s Church, 1739 (about 600 feet away); Moses Myers House, 1792 (about 600 feet away); Bank Street Baptist Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Also see . . . The History of the Willoughby-Baylor House. Chrysler Museum of Art (Submitted on May 2, 2013.)

Photographed by Kevin Vincent, November 5, 2012

3. Willoughby-Baylor House

Willoughby-Baylor House plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Vincent, November 5, 2012

4. Willoughby-Baylor House plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,779 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 1, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.