Welcome to the John Marshall House, the 1790 residence of our fourth Supreme Court Chief Justice, his family, and 8-16 enslaved servants at any given time until 1835. Visit in-person or online for a tour!

 

 

The mission of the John Marshall House is to engage the public about the life and legacies of the Great Chief Justice, his Richmond home, and the enslaved people who labored here through historic preservation and education.

Check out our guided and virtual tour opportunities!

 

John Marshall is best known as the “Great Chief Justice” for his role in creating the modern Supreme Court. He served from 1801 until 1835 and his influential decisions, such as Marbury v. Madison, helped shape the principle of judicial review. With the largest collection of original Marshall family pieces, guided tours of his home offer an in-depth look at the formation of American government through the lens of the federal judiciary.

Marshall had his home built in Richmond’s historic Court End neighborhood in 1790 and lived there for forty-five years until his death.

The home remained in the Marshall family until the Chief Justice’s granddaughters sold the land to the City of Richmond in 1907. When the City announced plans to demolish the house to build a high school, the leadership of Preservation Virginia protested. In 1911, the house was placed in the care of Preservation Virginia to be restored and opened to the public.

African American History at the John Marshall House

Agnes Spurlock, daughter of Robin Spurlock, enslaved by John Marshall. Image courtesy of the John Marshall Foundation

The Black history connected to the John Marshall House is incredibly rich. It is filled with stories of the families that were built under enslavement, and endured in Richmond’s urban landscape. People like Robin Spurlock, enslaved valet to John Marshall saw the city grow to host the second largest domestic slave market in the country. He witnessed the development of Gabriel’s uprising, and the formation of the American judiciary while he and his wife raised their own three children in slavery.

We are fortunate to have substantial records, first-hand accounts and primary sources that provide glimpses into the lives of the individual enslaved by John Marshall. Though we have only begun to study the history of the Black presence here, we aim to continue to research and build strong relationships with descendants, collect oral histories, and present the individual stories that truly highlight the African American experience here. Moving forward, we hope to continue to be able to provide a detailed context for how these people lived and how they viewed their lives at the Marshall House.

For more in-depth information, and primary source material please email us at johnmarshallhouse@preservationvirginia.org.

Address

818 East Marshall St.
Richmond, VA 23219

Hours

John Marshall House Hours

Interior tours are available March- December each year:

Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact us for a private or group experience all year long.

Reserve your tickets in advance: Tour Tickets

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Plan your visit

Guided Interior Tour

In a 45-minute tour guided by one of our trained educators, you’ll learn about the life and legacy of John Marshall. Engage with your guide and discuss Marshall’s impact on the federal judiciary and the ways those decisions influence us today. Purchase tickets here: TOUR.

Urban Garden Space

The historic Virginia flower gardens at the John Marshall House display plants found in the colonial gardens of Williamsburg and Yorktown that might have been maintained and enjoyed by the Marshall family.

Day Trip

Turn your visit into a day trip! We’re walking distance from several historic attractions in Richmond’s Court End neighborhood, including the Virginia State Capitol, the Library of Virginia and the Valentine. We also offer a block ticket to our historic site Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown in nearby Hanover County.

Student and Group Tours

Student and Group Tours larger than 6 people can call 804-648-7998 or email education manager, Meika Downey at mdowney@preservationvirginia.org to book.

Looking to schedule a student group tour at the John Marshall House? Fill out our online form for field trips, and visit our Field Trips and Education website to learn more!

Children 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

VISITOR INFO

Hours & Directions

Interior tours are available March-December each year:

Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact us for a private group tours all year long!

African American History at the John Marshall House

We value the Marshall House’s African American community’s history and would love for you to be a part of the process of gathering more information about the Black presence here. If you are a descendant of the Marshall House or a member of the community and would like to share your family’s history or your knowledge of the African American history here, please contact us at johnmarshallhouse@preservationvirginia.org or 804.648.7998

Admission

Pricing

Preservation Virginia MembersFree (Become a member)
General Admission$15
AAA, Senior (60+), Military Discount$12
Students$10
Children Under 6Free
Caregiver for any person with a disability protected under the ADA Free

BUY TICKETS

 

Contact

For information on pricing and availability:

Inquire about the John Marshall House

 

johnmarshallhouse@preservationvirginia.org
804-648-7998

Key Visitor Info

Location & Arrival

Metered street parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A public parking lot is available 2 blocks away on 9th and Clay Streets.

For Students and Teachers

History Where it Happened

The John Marshall House offers students, teachers and parents the opportunity to learn history where it actually happened. To host a field trip at the John Marshall House, contact johnmarshallhouse@preservationvirginia.org or 804-648-7998.

We also offer educational resource packets and videos on our website that address Virginia Standards of Learning components. Click here to download and view these free materials.