Houck Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Built around 1850 for J.G. Houck, this farmhouse on Ostrander Road in Guilderland is a Greek Revival house of two stories with a wood frame and clapboard siding. A one-and-one-half story ell on the north side has eyebrow windows and an enclosed pedimented portico. The main entrance has a recessed doorway with a transom, sidelights and pilasters, and the windows are shuttered six-over-six sash under gable roofs. Corner pilasters and a wide entablature reinforce the Greek Revival character, and the interior is original. The house was once surrounded by farmland, though the land has since reverted to woodland and modern tract development has grown up nearby. Against that setting, the house stands out for its architecture. It remains in its original use as a residence and is in excellent condition. The nominated area is an arbitrary five-acre plot around the house. The architect and builder are unknown.
Significance in brief: The inventory form describes the house as an excellent example of a Greek Revival mansion, with corner pilasters, a wide entablature, attic story windows, and a doorway framed by sidelights, transom and pilasters. It has survived amid modern tract development and is architecturally distinctive compared with its surroundings. It remains in excellent condition with an original interior.
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 82001072, listed November 10, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 6156 Ostrander Rd., Guilderland |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | November 10, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001072 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, still used as a residence; no threats known; the garage on the property is not historic. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 42.69815, -73.94633 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 82001072.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5912751
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.