Carter-Gilmer House
Why it's listed
Built in 1820 by Dr. Charles Carter, this three-story brick townhouse at 802 E. Jefferson Street in Charlottesville is a well-preserved example of the Federal style. It follows a three-bay, side hall plan typical of townhouses from the early years of the Republic. The first two floors are laid in Flemish bond, while the third floor uses common bond, which suggests it was added later. Wooden lintels with corner blocks and a fine transom over the entrance door are notable exterior details. Carter, a member of the House of Delegates, kept a medical office in a small brick building in the side yard. Five generations of his descendants, including the family of Dr. George Gilmer of Williamsburg, a friend of Thomas Jefferson, lived in the house until it left the family in 1955. It was later converted to apartments, yet the interior keeps much of its original appointments, and the house is described as being in good condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as an outstanding example of a Federal style townhouse with a side hall plan. It also has a link to Dr. Charles Carter, a physician and member of the House of Delegates, and to the Gilmer family, who lived there for five generations. A reviewer noted insufficient information on Dr. Carter and recommended acceptance.
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 82001801, listed October 21, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 802 E. Jefferson St., Charlottesville (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Charlottesville |
| Listed | October 21, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001801 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Dr. Charles Carter (builder) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition and used as three apartments; the interior retains much of its original appointments. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.03080, -78.47529 (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 82001801.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15207698
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.