Completed in 1897, this Queen Anne style dwelling with Colonial Revival details has been home to only two families. It was built for Mr. William P. Boatwright, who founded a printing firm, Boatwright Brothers Co.; and a furniture company, Boatwright Furniture Co. The den still contains a low, massive bookcase—one of several that held the Boatwrights’ extensive library—that is a product of Boatwright Furniture. Mr. Boatwright and his wife lived here for more than 50 years. 

The present owners acquired the house in 1950 shortly after Mr. Boatwright died. According to Mrs. Moore, the house is reminiscent of one where she lived as a child in Portsmouth, Virginia. With its steep gables, irregular bays, and semi-circular porch, the house is a classic example of a restrained, late-Victorian frame dwelling. About 1940 the Boatwrights made the only alteration to the original structure when they enlarged the back of the house—the present dining room and kitchen. In their 38 years on Sutherlin Avenue, Mr. and Mrs. Moore have worked diligently to preserve and enhance their home both inside and out. Their only subtle change at the front of the house was the replacement of the upper wood panels in the front doors with ones of glass, complete with an etched fleur-de-lis design. This motif is like that in the massive stained glass windows in the stairwell above the rear hall. The newel post is topped with an original gaslight and frosted shade. The front hall is enhanced by several period architectural features—a plaster ceiling medallion, and a built-in “boot bench” with beveled mirror. Overhead, a spindle-work screen completes the design. The “Adamesque” mantels in the parlor and den to the left of the hall suggest particularly the revival of interest in classical details at the turn of the century.