Freer House
Why it's listed
Built around 1728, this modest fieldstone farmer's cottage at 70 Wilbur Boulevard in Poughkeepsie is considered the oldest surviving structure in the city. It is attributed to Simeon Freer, the first of his family to move from New Paltz, who likely built it within three years of buying the land in 1724-1725. The 1-1/2 story house has an asymmetrical four-bay facade, 2/2 windows and beaded framing. Inside are hand-hewn beams, evidence of a jambless fireplace, a small "Dutch" closet with original H hinges, and early paint colors described as buttermilk blue and Dutch red. Later changes include altered facade windows, a removed beehive oven and a 19th-century frame addition taken down around 1910. In the 19th century, Albert K. and Alfred H. Smiley, Quaker educators, owned the property; Alfred's hike from here led to the Mohonk Mountain House site. Its rarity, construction and associations make it important locally and regionally.
Significance in brief: The form calls it the earliest surviving structure in the City of Poughkeepsie and the best preserved of the city's few 18th-century buildings. It is valued for its rarity of type, method of construction and style. It is also linked to Albert K. and Alfred H. Smiley, Quaker educators who developed the Mohonk Mountain House site.
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 82001138, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 70 Wilbur Blvd., Poughkeepsie |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001138 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Probably Simeon Freer |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and still used as a residence; the major elements are intact despite some alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.67957, -73.91013 (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 82001138.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5501129
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.