Barker, Clarence, Memorial Hospital
Why it's listed
Built by 1907 in Biltmore Village, Asheville, the Clarence Barker Memorial Hospital is a one-and-one-half story building of pebbledash construction. Its design combines gables, dormers, casement windows, stylized ornament and some shingle detail, a mix that is described as highly irregular for a building of its size. Richard Sharp Smith, a member of Richard Morris Hunt's architectural firm, designed it, and it uses the same design motifs found in the village's smaller residential and commercial structures. George W. Vanderbilt financed the hospital as a memorial to his cousin Clarence Barker, who is also commemorated in a stained glass window at All Souls Episcopal Church. From its incorporation in 1900 until 1919, when it became the Biltmore Hospital, it operated as an adjunct institution of All Souls Church under its charter. It is regarded as the only surviving building erected to house a Vanderbilt philanthropy, which gives it its importance in the village's history.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant as one of several Biltmore Village structures designed by Richard Sharp Smith, and as the only surviving structure built to house a Vanderbilt philanthropy. It also cites its association with George W. Vanderbilt, who financed it as a memorial to his cousin Clarence Barker, and its role as an adjunct institution of All Souls Episcopal Church from 1900 until 1919. Its highly irregular design is said to share motifs with the village's smaller residential and commercial buildings.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79001667, listed November 15, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2--6 Reed St., Asheville |
|---|---|
| County | Buncombe County |
| Listed | November 15, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001667 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Richard Sharp Smith (architect) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 35.56515, -82.54091 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79001667.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q17985736
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.