Virginia State Seal Virginia Department of Historic Resources

122-0060 West Freemason Street Area Historic District

West Freemason Street Area Historic District
Photo credit: David Edwards/DHR, 2022

*Click on image to enlarge.

For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF

VLR Listing Date 12/21/1971

NRHP Listing Date 11/07/1972

NRHP Reference Number 72001512

The compact neighborhood near the Elizabeth River that includes West Freemason, Bute, Duke, Botetourt, Dunmore, and Yarmouth streets was one of the first neighborhoods outside the colonial limits of Norfolk. From the 18th century through the early 20th century, the West Freemason Street Area Historic District was the city’s most prestigious residential address and thus contains noteworthy examples of many styles popular during those 120 years. Key landmarks are the individually listed Allmand-Archer House, the Federal-period Taylor-Whittle House, the Greek Revival Kenmure and the Camp-Hubard House, and the Georgian Revival Roper House. Although the district has suffered some losses, it was spared the leveling that destroyed several downtown Norfolk neighborhoods in the 1960s. The quiet dignity of old Norfolk is still keenly felt on the tree-shaded, stone-paved western end of the West Freemason Street Area Historic District.


Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.

Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark


Updated: September 26, 2022