Kilmer, Jonas M., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1898 at 9 Riverside Drive in Binghamton, this large stone mansion was designed by local architect C. Edward Vosbury for Jonas M. Kilmer, who ran the family patent medicine business with his son Willis Sharpe Kilmer. The house rises two and one-half stories with an irregular form, gables, turrets, a round three-story tower, glazed ceramic tile gable ends and a high hipped roof. Inside, a central hall organizes the rooms, which have wood paneling, exposed beams, Renaissance-inspired plasterwork and a former third-floor ballroom. The Kilmer family kept the house until 1950, when Temple Concord bought it. A synagogue was added in 1964 and joined to the house by a connector using the old porte-cochere. The house is recognized as an outstanding example of monumental late nineteenth century residential architecture, and it recalls a family prominent in Binghamton's business, banking and newspaper life. Neighboring Vosbury-designed mansions have been demolished.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding example of monumental late nineteenth century residential architecture in Binghamton. It is also tied to the Kilmer family, whose patent medicine business and civic roles shaped the city's economy and cultural life. It is one of the largest and most unusual houses in the Riverside neighborhood.
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 06000885, listed September 29, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 9 Riverside Dr., Binghamton |
|---|---|
| County | Broome County |
| Listed | September 29, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000885 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898 |
| Architect / builder | Charles Edward Vosbury, architect |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th century revivals (eclectic Victorian era design combining Queen Anne elements with masonry construction) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture, Industry, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house was bought by Temple Concord in 1950 and is now used for religious and school purposes. A 1964 synagogue is attached by a connector, and the interior retains high integrity. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 42.09243, -75.92151 (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 06000885.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706698
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.