Meekins, Thedore S., House
Why it's listed
Set on a rectangular corner lot in Manteo on Roanoke Island, this two-and-a-half-story frame house was built between 1910 and 1912 by local carpenters John Wilson and Joe Dailey for Theodore S. Meekins and his family. It replaced and surrounds a small one-story house that Meekins had bought in 1904, which now serves as the rear kitchen ell. The design, reportedly modeled on a photograph chosen by Meekins's wife Rosa, combines weatherboards and shingles, a three-story tower, two-story bays, splayed shingled gable fronts, and a one-story Colonial Revival porch. The house is regarded as the largest on Roanoke Island and as a well-preserved example of late Queen Anne design. Meekins was also a contractor who won the 1911 federal contract to build the Chicamacomico lifesaving station near Rodanthe, a station later noted for its rescues. He held local and state offices and ran a merchandise business in Manteo.
Significance in brief: The house is presented as the largest private residence on Roanoke Island and a well-preserved example of late Queen Anne styling of the early 20th century, with a picturesque composition of bays, a tower, shingled gable fronts and a porch. Its owner, Theodore S. Meekins, was a contractor who built the Chicamacomico lifesaving station, a local merchant, and a political figure, which links the house to Outer Banks maritime and community history.
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 82001295, listed December 17, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 319 Sir Walter Raleigh St., Manteo |
|---|---|
| County | Dare County |
| Listed | December 17, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001295 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1910-1912 |
| Architect / builder | John Wilson & Joe Dailey, builders |
| Architectural style | Late Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house remains in use as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.90886, -75.67242 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 82001295.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18216985
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.