Cedarcliff Gatehouse
Why it's listed
Built around 1845, this brick cottage at 66 Ferris Lane in Poughkeepsie began as the rear gatehouse of "Cedarcliff", the estate of James Winslow. A section of the ornate cast iron fence and gate-post survives at the corner of Ferris Lane and Bancroft Road. Local tradition says the estate was planned by Andrew Jackson Downing in the 1840s, and the form calls this plausible because the land lay immediately south of Downing's estate for Matthew Vassar and because the Winslows were fashionable. The house has a cross-shaped plan, deep eaves with extended rafters, a scroll-sawn bargeboard, and paired round-arched windows with louvered shutters. Inside are simple fireplaces and a cherry staircase. A one-story rear addition and an attached garage have been added, and the building is still a residence. It is valued as a rare example of Gothic Revival rural architecture in the city, alongside the gatehouse at "Springside".
Significance in brief: The building is an example of Gothic Revival design, with a cross-shaped plan, paired round-arched windows and decorative bargeboard. Together with the board and batten gatehouse at "Springside", it represents a rare type of rural architecture in Poughkeepsie. Tradition links the estate's planning to Andrew Jackson Downing, though this is stated only as a possibility.
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 82001125, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 66 Ferris Lane, Poughkeepsie |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001125 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Andrew Jackson Downing (possibly) of Newburgh |
| Architectural style | Gothic Cottage / Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence, as originally; condition listed as fair, with a one-story rear addition and attached garage. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.68425, -73.91979 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 82001125.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5056968
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.