My visit to Preservation Virginia's John Marshall House.

Preservation Virginia is a vital organization not only to Virginia history, but to our shared American history- stretching east to west and north to south.

Period.

I'm truly honored to have met both Elyse Werling, Director of Interpretation and Collections at Preservation Virginia, and Geneva Weidhaas, Site Coordinator at the John Marshall House and the Bus Tour Operations Manager for Preservation Virginia.

After meeting up for coffee at the Library of Virginia, we made the short walk to the John Marshall House.

RELATED: Click here to read Elyse's interview on the blog.

Meet Geneva: she graduated from the University of Virginia in 2021 with a BA in American Studies and has spent the last four years working in museums across the Richmond region. She started at the John Marshall House in 2023 as a tour guide, and became the Site Coordinator a year later.

Necessary disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.

Key in lock, door at the John Marshall House

The John Marshall House: an icon in Richmond.

John Marshall and his new home.

If you haven't read it yet, click here and open my first post about John Marshall in a new tab.

Why? It'll give you a sense of the man most famous for his role as Chief Justice of our United States Supreme Court. And to be honest, it goes hand-in-hand with this post! (It too was inspired by my visit to The John Marshall House.)

By the time John Marshall built this home, the capital city of Richmond was growing. Marshall and the city were growing together. As an up-and-coming attorney who would ultimately be a legacy in our federal court system, he chose the site wisely.

It was perfect from a personal standpoint, not just a professional one. The property was not far from where his in-laws, the Amblers, already had a home on 10th Street.

Single staircase at the John Marshall House, 2025

The building itself: inside and out.

Geneva's tour of the John Marshall House was super-informative! So... although I'm sharing some of my favorite bits, getting your own tour if you're able to visit is highly recommended!

Which door?

The first question you might have when you walk towards the building, which is situated on a corner lot, is: which door is the front door?

John Marshall actually bought the whole block (the current courthouse sits on his former property- how serendipitous right?). The view of his home from two main streets and various options to enter could mean the "front door" could be a matter of need or purpose.

Street corner view, the John Marshall House

The facade.

Those who were around during the late 18th century often looked to the Ancients for inspiration and guidance in creating our new nation.

This not only came in the form of actual government structure, but art, and yes, architecture. John Marshall gave a strong nod to the notion of "democracy" with the temple-front facade.

Facade of the John Marshall House, 2025

Notes on the interior:

• 90% of the original floorboards are in tact.
• There is no "grand hall," common to the era.
• As for the staircase, that's it... just one. All the occupants, servants, and visitors used the same staircase.
• Room use, as was typical in earlier times, shifted as needed. Marshall could have as many as 20+ lawyers visiting and this could mean utilizing a space for family as entertainment or even business use.

Large parlor/study, the John Marshall House

Who else lived at The John Marshall House?

Marshall's wife, their children, and his mom Mary.

Mary Willis Ambler Marshall, known as Polly, lived with her husband John and their children at the Marshall House.

Six of those children survived into adulthood. You can imagine a house with so many children-- not to mention the visiting lawyers-- would be busy!

The kids did everything from learn dance to eat their meals and, of course, sleep, in this brick building in the center of town.

This is a good spot to note that the home remained in the Marshall family until 1907. That's when Marshall's granddaughters sold the property to the City Richmond. Ultimately, in 1911, to assure it's preservation for the future, it was placed in the care of Preservation Virginia (from their website).

John's mother Mary Randolph Keith Marshall also lived with the family for a time. Her portrait hangs in the home paying homage to her legacy. Of the Tuckahoe Randolphs, she had 15 kids- and all survived. A feat in the 18th century.

Mary is the familial connection to Thomas Jefferson, through the Randolph line. Jefferson actually spent several years at Tuckahoe as a child and the schoolhouse he attended is still on the property.

RELATED: Read more about John's wife Polly on Preservation Virginia's website by clicking here.

Portrait of Polly Ambler Marshall

Mary Randolph Marshall portrait

Robin and Agnes Spurlock.

Robin, enslaved, had an opportunity to be emancipated by his enslaver John Marshall. His daughter Agnes was actually freed.

Robin was the long-time butler to the family. In Marshall's will, he was given the option inherit money along with his freedom.

With freedom, the law required he'd need to leave Virginia.

Another option he was given: pick a family member to inherit him as enslaved. This meant he could stay in the home and near his family, including his daughter Agnes.

Robin stayed with Mary Marshall, John and Polly's daughter. (yes, the third Mary mentioned in as many generations- it happens quite a bit in this period!)

Agnes was freed. Although she could move on, she stayed with the Marshall family as their nursemaid. She's described, on the sketch of her, which shows absolute confidence and strength, as "faithful until death."

Clearly, the relationships between the Spurlocks and the Marshalls were complicated.

If you want to dive deeper, click here to open an excellent Preservation Virginia article focused on Agnes.

Agnes Spurlock drawing at the John Marshall House

Objects tell stories.

I've said it many times, and even added "objects" into my Mission Statement. Objects tell stories - but also, bring you closer to the person or people that created and used them.

An earlier post I wrote shared the value of a very specific splinter of wood taken by Thomas Jefferson. Curious? Click here and open that one in a new tab without losing your spot here!

The John Marshall House was full of objects... and thanks to the incredible efforts of Elyse and the knowledge of Geneva, I was immersed into the Marshall family's lives, getting an understanding of their family, the home, and the era.

Of course, I'm sharing some of my favorites.

The family.

In addition to the portraits of John, Polly and Mary Randolph Marshall, there are other images of family members found throughout the house.

One that caught my attention was a drawing of Polly done by her and John's eldest son Thomas. Another is Thomas' portrait. It's clear that the family was really into keepsakes of family images.

Thomas' drawing of Polly

Thomas Marshall

The home.

• Chairs. Two are on loan from Monticello as they seem to match three whose home is the John Marshall House. When furniture (or any object) finds a rightful spot that makes sense to the interpretation of history, I love that. Additionally, there are two chairs beneath Mary's (mom) portrait with yellow velvet cushions. This is a strong clue the were made in Richmond - and a rare find!
• "Apology" China. The dining room display includes China given to Polly by John. The idea of it being an "apology" is because he left for France at a difficult time for his wife. She was pregnant when he left. Instead of being gone for weeks, he actually was gone for a year. While he was away, he missed Christmas with the family and Polly's father passed away. The timing of this gift lines up for this family story to be accurate.
• Bookcase. On its own, the bookcase is impressive. Filled with books of the period, it sits in the spot it belongs. How do they know? One massive clue: the staff of Preservation Virginia were able to line it up with the paint lines!

Monticello chairs

"Apology" China

Bookcase containing period books

Calls to Action:

Dig deeper with two books.

• Read John Marshall: Definer of a Nation by Jean Edward Smith. It was recommended by Geneva. Click here to grab a copy.
• Get a copy of The Founders on the Founders, which shares thoughts and opinions of founders by... wait for it... other founders! And by other men and women too.

Visit the John Marshall House.

For hours, tickets, directions, special events and more, click here!

Check out on my other posts featuring Preservation Virginia sites.

Bacon's Castle

Patrick Henry's Scotchtown

Smith's Fort

RELATED: I can plan your itinerary for your visit to the area if you're headed here from out of town! Book a call here.

Closing words from history

On his own character, words from John Marshall to President George Washington as he's found out about "published" information on his political aspirations.

Read it in full by clicking here - you'll get a seriously strong sense he's concerned Washington might think him vain. Was he? Another rabbit hole to go down! By the way I love the term "littleness of mind!"

To George Washington, 1 May 1799

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There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post, unless otherwise credited! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.

John Marshall's portrait in the home