Carter, A. P., Store
Also known as: Carter Family Memorial Museum
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Why it's listed
Built in 1945 at the foot of Clinch Mountain near Maces Spring, this one-story frame store measures about 38 by 30 feet and has a rear shed addition. Two steeply pitched cross gables intersect the central gable roof, a form seen in several stores around Hiltons. A. P. Carter and his son Joe, both carpenters, built it with son-in-law Milan Millard, soon after the original Carter Family disbanded in 1943. Carter kept the store until his death in 1960, leaving it to his daughter Janette, and he continued collecting, composing and recording traditional music during those years. The building was later used for Saturday night old-time music shows, then became a museum of Carter family memorabilia. Interior fixtures such as the wooden counter remain. Though under fifty years old when listed, it was considered exceptionally significant for its link to A. P. Carter's later career and its role in preserving the family's musical legacy, and as a little-altered vernacular commercial building.
Significance in brief: It is significant mainly for its association with the Carter family and A. P. Carter's later career, and secondarily as one of the least-altered examples of a common vernacular commercial form in rural Southwest Virginia. Although less than fifty years old, it was judged exceptionally significant because A. P. Carter built it, the community feels a strong attachment to it, and its music programs and museum have continued the Carter family's legacy.
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 85001411, listed June 14, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Rt. 614, Maces Spring |
|---|---|
| County | Scott County |
| Listed | June 14, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001411 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | A. P. & Joe Carter, & Milan Millard |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Commercial |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good and altered; in use as the Carter Family Memorial Museum. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 36.66827, -82.41305 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 85001411.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15177522
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.