Marshall-Rucker-Smith House
Also known as: VDHR File No. 0104-5073
Why it's listed
Built in 1894 at 620 Park Street in Charlottesville, this two-story brick house was erected by local builder William T. Vandegrift for dry goods merchant J. William Marshall and his wife Carrie. At $10,000 it was apparently the most costly residence built in the city that year. Its asymmetrical Queen Anne design features a three-story octagonal corner tower, a slate-shingled hip roof, a front gable with a Romanesque triple-arched loggia, and multiple porches. Inside, a center-passage plan includes ornate mantels, pocket doors and a two-run stair. William J. Rucker, a philanthropist who bought the house in 1913, added a solarium and library wing and a swimming pool around 1930. The house was later divided into apartments before being restored as a private residence from 1961 onward. Considered the leading Queen Anne building in Charlottesville, it keeps its original plan, finishes, fence and landscape features from the period between 1894 and about 1930.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is the premier example of the Queen Anne style in Charlottesville, notable for its octagonal corner tower, Romanesque-inspired gable arcading and lavish interior. It also retains excellent integrity, including its original plan, finishes, and the ca. 1930 solarium and library addition made for the Rucker family.
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 99000725, listed June 25, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 620 Park St., Charlottesville (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Charlottesville |
| Listed | June 25, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000725 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1894-ca. 1930 |
| Architect / builder | Vandegrift, William T. (builder) |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In use as a private single dwelling, restored by its present owner since the 1960s. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Within district | Charlottesville and Albemarle County Courthouse Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.03557, -78.47479 (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 99000725.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15248837
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.