Hull-Wolcott House
Also known as: Wolcott House Museum
Why it's listed
Overlooking the Maumee River at 1031 River Road, this frame house was built in stages from about 1827 for James A. Wolcott and his wife, Mary Wells. It reflects the Federal style as interpreted on the Ohio frontier, with a two-story front porch, four plain columns and an elliptical arch in the gable. Inside are a center hall with a curved stair, delicate balusters and a cellar kitchen with hand-hewn timbers. Later rear additions are plainer than the facade. Wolcott came from Connecticut, bought land in Maumee, and became a merchant, mill builder, steamboat builder, associate judge, first president of the city council and mayor. Mary Wells was the daughter of William Wells and the granddaughter of Chief Little Turtle. The house is regarded locally as the leading symbol of a Maumee Valley pioneer and developer, and it now serves as a city-owned museum in good condition.
Significance in brief: The house is an example of early Ohio Federal architecture, with a two-story front porch and an elliptical arch in the gable. It is also described as the prime local symbol of a Maumee Valley pioneer and developer. James Wolcott was a businessman, builder of mills, steamboat builder, judge and mayor, and his wife Mary Wells was a daughter of William Wells and granddaughter of Chief Little Turtle.
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 70000506, listed January 26, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1031 River Rd., Maumee |
|---|---|
| County | Lucas County |
| Listed | January 26, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000506 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1827) |
| Architect / builder | James A. Wolcott (builder; described as architect and builder of mills) |
| Architectural style | Early Ohio Federal; porch described as a pioneer version of Palladian Doric |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Good condition, altered, on its original site; owned by the City of Maumee and used as a museum. Some maintenance is needed on roof overhangs and lap siding. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.57242, -83.63908 (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 70000506.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14716470
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.