Humphrey, Friend, House
Also known as: Component No. 11
Why it's listed
Built around 1841, this two-story clapboard farmhouse on Albany-Shaker Road in Colonie sits back from the road on about 1.5 acres, the surviving historic land linked to the house. It has a gable roof, two symmetrically placed end chimneys, six-over-six windows and an off-center entrance with a plain cornice and transom. Inside, a wide central hall keeps its turned newel and balustrade, and a cooking fireplace remains in the basement. A one-story ell was added around 1880. The house is notable for its unusual six-bay facade combined with a traditional central hall plan, and for detailing that blends Federal proportions with Greek Revival features such as wide clapboards and a projecting-cornice entrance. It is also associated with Friend Humphrey, an Albany leather dealer who served as the city's mayor in the 1840s and again around 1849 to 1850. From his country seat he experimented with fertilizers, including horn shavings suggested by the Shakers, as part of the period's agricultural improvement movement.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be an unusually intact, distinctive example of early nineteenth century vernacular farmhouse architecture, with a six-bay facade, a traditional central hall plan, and detailing that shows the shift from Federal to Greek Revival taste. It is also tied to Friend Humphrey, an Albany mayor and active participant in agricultural improvement movements.
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 85002713, listed October 3, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 372 Albany-Shaker Rd., Colonie |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | October 3, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002713 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Vernacular farmhouse with Federal proportions and Greek Revival elements |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence; condition described as excellent, with no known threats. A wood garage behind the house is non-contributing. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.69218, -73.76331 (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 85002713.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5504007
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.