Rockefeller, Simeon, House
Also known as: Rockefeller Tavern
Why it's listed
Near the hamlet of Germantown in Columbia County, this house grew in two stages. Simeon Rockefeller, whose father Diell settled the German community of East Camp, built the original stone section around 1755 in the Hudson Valley Dutch tradition. About 1800, his son Simon Rockefeller added a large frame section to the east, raised the stone part to two full stories and gave the front a two-tiered verandah. The house then served as a tavern, and the older stone room probably worked as the tap room. Inside, Dutch-style beams and hardware sit beside Federal-style woodwork. The house also hosted Germantown's first official town meeting in April 1808. Simon Rockefeller later served as town supervisor and in the State Assembly. A frame barn also stands on the property. The house is recognized for its architecture, its early settlement history and its link to the Rockefeller family.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is architecturally significant because the c. 1800 frame addition wrapped around an earlier Dutch-tradition stone house, showing how the region's vernacular building developed around 1800. It is also tied to the Rockefeller family's settlement of East Camp. Simeon Rockefeller, Jr. (Simon), a local civic leader, expanded the house, and it hosted Germantown's first official town meeting in April 1808.
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 09000479, listed July 2, 2009. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 524 Columbia Co. Rte. 8, Germantown |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia County |
| Listed | July 2, 2009 |
| Reference number | 09000479 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1755-1900 |
| Architectural style | Colonial: Dutch Colonial; Early Republic: Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historically a tavern and single dwelling; the form lists its current function as a single dwelling. Renovations in the 1980s restored some earlier plan elements. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 42.13234, -73.86145 (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 09000479.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7517640
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.