Van Benschoten House and Guest House
Why it's listed
High on the southern slope of Margaretville Mountain, north of the village of Margaretville, stands a large Queen Anne style farmhouse built around 1890 by Nelson Van Benschoten and his son William Francis. The two-story house has four gabled pavilions rising from a hipped-roof core, an octagonal tower, a slate roof of many planes, and a deep veranda across the south front. Its plan includes a family center section, a kitchen wing and a west wing of bedrooms intended for summer boarders. The dry-laid bluestone basement survives from an earlier tenant farmhouse. A c1920 cow barn and a poultry house and machinery shed also remain on the 5.7-acre parcel. The property was recognized for its architecture and for what it shows about recreation in Delaware County. Summer tourism became a major part of the local economy in the late nineteenth century, and the house combines a working farm residence with features shared by hotels and boarding houses of the period. Its exterior and interior retain a high level of integrity.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a large, distinctive example of Queen Anne design showing how farm architecture evolved in Delaware County at the end of the nineteenth century. It is also significant for the theme of recreation, because its many bedrooms and boarding-house features reflect the growth of Catskill summer tourism. It reflects the success of farmer Nelson Van Benschoten and his family.
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 02000302, listed April 1, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Margaretville Mountain Rd., Margaretville |
|---|---|
| County | Delaware County |
| Listed | April 1, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000302 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1867-1936 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current functions are listed as single dwelling and hotel; the exterior is described as largely intact to its c1890 construction. |
| Acreage | 5.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.16735, -74.66838 (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 02000302.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7913144
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.