Rose, Robert H., House
Also known as: Rose Mansion
Why it's listed
Built about 1896 on Riverside Drive in Binghamton, this three-story mansion was designed by local architect C. Edward Vosbury for Robert H. Rose, a Pennsylvania lawyer who retired to the city in 1893 and invested in gas, telephone and banking ventures. The yellow brick walls, red sandstone trim and red ceramic tile roofs carry a mix of Queen Anne, Romanesque and Elizabethan details. Its most striking feature is a bulging, cone-roofed corner tower, described as unique in Binghamton, along with a small cantilevered turret. Inside, carved oak and cherry woodwork, stained glass and tiled fireplaces survive, and a Greek stoa-inspired garden house stands behind. The house served as a private residence until 1948, then as a convent until 1974, and has been unoccupied since. It was listed as a notable example of the eclectic taste and prosperity of turn-of-the-century Binghamton, despite deterioration.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding example of late nineteenth century eclectic architecture, tied to a period of prosperity in Binghamton. It combines Queen Anne, Romanesque and Elizabethan details, and its bulging conical corner tower is described as unique in the city. It also reflects the career of Robert H. Rose and the growth of 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 80002592, listed August 26, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3 Riverside Dr., Binghamton |
|---|---|
| County | Broome County |
| Listed | August 26, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002592 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | C. Edward Vosbury |
| Architectural style | Eclectic: Queen Anne, Romanesque, and Elizabethan Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Unoccupied since 1974 and described as deteriorated, though little altered; the form notes it was a convent from 1948 to 1974. |
| Acreage | 2.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.09255, -75.91983 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 80002592.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7345099
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.