Patterson Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Built around 1840, this two-story wood-frame farmhouse at 47 Murray Avenue in Delmar, New York, is a vernacular Greek Revival dwelling of the Hudson Valley type. It has a low-pitched side-gabled roof, a rectangular kitchen wing, clapboard siding, symmetrical six-over-six windows and a recessed front door with sidelights and transom. Inside are wide pine floors and five working fireplaces. The plain detailing suits a working family farm. The land was leased in 1810 by William Patterson from Stephen Van Rensselaer, and Patterson became owner in 1855. His son James farmed it until 1895, and the land was subdivided in 1937 for suburban homes. The barns and outbuildings have been lost, though a Dutch Barn site and other outbuildings are noted as unevaluated archeological resources. The house was listed for its architecture and for recalling Bethlehem's farming past, now a suburban community.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a representative, intact example of a vernacular Greek Revival Hudson Valley farmhouse, with a high degree of integrity. It also serves as a landmark of Bethlehem's agricultural past, when the area was a farming community before becoming suburban.
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 96001427, listed April 28, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 47 Murray Ave., Delmar |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | April 28, 1997 |
| Reference number | 96001427 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1840 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as excellent; still used as a single dwelling. The original barns and outbuildings are gone, the last burned in 1950. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.61061, -73.84218 (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 96001427.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7148441
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.