Eaton Family Residence-Jewish Center of Norwich
Why it's listed
Built in 1914 at 72 South Broad Street in Norwich, this Colonial Revival residence was designed by Gaggin & Gaggin for the Eaton family, who ran the Norwich Pharmacal Company on the next block. It is a tan brick house with a green ceramic tile roof, cut-stone foundation, brick quoins, a columned entry portico, a porte-cochere and an enclosed side porch. Inside are classical moldings, leaded and stained glass, and a main stair with wisteria-themed windows. The Eatons lived there for about forty years and made only minor changes, including a basement bar added in 1933. In 1955 the house was sold to Norwich's Jewish congregation, which converted the dining room into a sanctuary and added a small matching brick extension in 1957. The property is noted as a rare intact, architect-designed home of a local industrial family, and for its later role in the city's Jewish community, including German refugees. Vandalism in 2008 destroyed much interior glass, and restoration funds are being raised.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an outstanding, highly intact early twentieth century Colonial Revival residence and is tied to three generations of the Eaton family, prominent industrialists. It is also significant for its later role in the social and religious history of Norwich's Jewish community, including German Jewish refugees who resettled in Chenango County.
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 09000375, listed June 4, 2009. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 72 S. Broad St., Norwich |
|---|---|
| County | Chenango County |
| Listed | June 4, 2009 |
| Reference number | 09000375 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1914-1985 |
| Architect / builder | Gaggin & Gaggin Architects |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & early 20th century revivals - Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History, Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The building was severely vandalized in 2008, destroying much of the interior glass. The congregation is raising funds to restore it; it remains the Jewish Center of Norwich. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.52958, -75.41410 (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 09000375.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5331348
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.