Gifford Grange Hall
Why it's listed
Built around 1866 on Western Turnpike in the center of Dunnsville, this wood-frame, clapboard building began as a store and post office. Its form follows a common pattern of the period, with the shopkeeper's living quarters above the commercial space. Architectural details are modest: a simple channeled cornice with a wide unadorned frieze, a one-story shed-roofed porch across the front, and an enclosed outside stair rising from the second floor at the eastern end. When the store closed, the building was converted for use as a grange hall, and it continues to serve that function for grange activities. The architect and builder are unknown. The property was recognized because, despite its plainness, it is considered an excellent example of commercial architecture from its time and has long served as a focal point of community life in this part of Guilderland. Its survival among modern suburban development makes it especially notable in its present surroundings. The building remains on its original site and is in good condition.
Significance in brief: The building was long a center of activity in this part of town and follows the common plan of a shopkeeper living above the store and post office. It is described as an excellent example of commercial architecture of its period. It has survived amid modern suburban development, which adds to its significance.
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 82001065, listed November 10, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Western Tpk., Guilderland |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | November 10, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001065 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Plain vernacular commercial |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition rated good; in use as a grange hall, with interior accessible by appointment. |
| Acreage | 2.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.73991, -74.01452 (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 82001065.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5559924
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.