Smith, Dr. Robert and Anne House
Why it's listed
This 2 1/2 story frame house at 855 Ardmore Avenue in Akron was built about 1915 and served as the home of Dr. Robert Smith and his wife Anne until his death in 1950. It has horizontal wood siding, a gable roof with two front dormers, a full-length front porch on brick pillars, and 4/1 double-hung windows. Inside, the dining room has a coffered beam ceiling and the living room has oak flooring. Smith, an Akron surgeon, met New York stockbroker Bill Wilson in May 1935, and the two men's friendship led to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. Smith's last drink is traditionally dated June 10, 1935, which is viewed as the movement's birth date. Group meetings were held in the house, and Smith also treated alcoholics there. The house remains much as it was when the Smiths lived in it. A non-profit foundation recently bought it to operate as a museum.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under criterion B for its association with Dr. Robert Smith, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. Smith lived there from 1915 until his death in 1950. AA was founded in 1935 through his friendship with Bill Wilson, and group meetings and treatment took place in the house during the program's early development in Akron.
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 85003411, listed October 31, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 855 Ardmore Ave., Akron |
|---|---|
| County | Summit County |
| Listed | October 31, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85003411 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date 1935) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated October 16, 2012 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, unaltered and on its original site; recently purchased by a non-profit foundation to interpret the house as a museum. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.09599, -81.54877 (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 85003411.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q21592135
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.