House at 31 West Cayuga Street
Why it's listed
Built around 1840, this two-story frame house on a large corner lot at West Cayuga and Grove Streets in Moravia is a well-preserved example of Greek Revival residential design. The main block has a three-bay front with an attenuated cornice, open gable returns, and a front door framed by sidelights and a transom, topped by a shallow bracketed Italianate hood. Original six-over-six sash windows survive, and narrow frieze band windows light the upper story on the sides. Narrow clapboard siding, corner pilasters, a cut stone foundation and a standing-seam metal roof complete the exterior. Inside, a side hall plan and modified Greek Revival trim remain, though the original stair was replaced by a late nineteenth century balustrade. A two-car garage from the 1926-1937 period sits on the lot. The house was listed for its architectural value, as one of the best preserved Greek Revival homes in the village and an example of its early housing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house meets Criterion C as a highly intact, representative example of Greek Revival residential architecture in Moravia. It belongs to the village's early settlement and development context (1789-1865). It keeps its period features and integrity inside and out.
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 95000062, listed February 24, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 31 W. Cayuga, Moravia |
|---|---|
| County | Cayuga County |
| Listed | February 24, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000062 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1840 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current function is single dwelling; the house retains high integrity of exterior and interior. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.71380, -76.42518 (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 95000062.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706435
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.