Lace House
Also known as: Uriah Edwards House
Why it's listed
Built in 1806 at the crossroads hamlet of Flatbrook in northeastern Columbia County, the Lace House is a two-story, five-bay frame dwelling known for the exceptional ornament on its exterior. Its nickname arose soon after construction. The front entrance has a leaded-glass fanlight, fluted pilasters and a pedimented porch carried on twin fluted columns, while the cornice and window friezes carry carved sunbursts, patera forms and dentils. Uriah Edwards, a merchant born in Massachusetts, built the house less than two miles from the state line. He later served as Town Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and state legislator, and he helped a railroad secure its right-of-way through Canaan. The house is considered an outstanding Federal example in the county because it carries a formal New England taste into local building practice and keeps a high degree of integrity. A wing added in the early 1920s and a cobblestone garage do not contribute to its significance.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding example of Federal style architecture in Columbia County, with an exceptionally high degree of ornamentation and craftsmanship for its period. It shows how New England taste reached eastern New York through post-Revolutionary migration. It also reflects the standing of its builder, merchant and civic leader Uriah Edwards.
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 85000336, listed February 21, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 22 and Miller Rd., Canaan |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia County |
| Listed | February 21, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85000336 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1806 |
| Architect / builder | Fuller Brothers, Canaan New York |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, largely unaltered and on its original site; the property is occupied. A 1920s rear wing and a cobblestone garage are non-contributing. |
| Acreage | 1.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.37685, -73.42869 (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 85000336.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1799658
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.