Heermance Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Set on the north side of West Kerley Corner Road near Red Hook, this fieldstone farmhouse with brick gable ends reflects Dutch building traditions of the Hudson Valley. It began between 1725 and 1750 as a simple two-room dwelling with a fireplace at each end. About 1772 Peter Heermance enlarged it, added an eastern room and installed most of the interior detailing. Standout features include fielded panelling around an east-wall fireplace, closets with arched doors, a steep staircase with a tiger maple rail, and a granary door on the second floor. The land came out of the Schuyler Patent but became a freehold farm early in the 1700s, unlike most nearby tenant-held land. Later owners kept it as a working farm. A wooden rear ell was rebuilt in 1953, and restoration in the 1970s aimed to preserve its eighteenth-century character. Only about six stone houses survive in the town, and this is among the most intact in the region.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that it is a largely intact example of an eighteenth-century Dutch Hudson Valley stone farmhouse. It keeps unusual decorative features, including fielded panelling, a tiger maple stair rail and a granary door. It is one of only about six stone houses remaining in the town of Red Hook and one of the most intact in the mid-Hudson Valley.
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 80002604, listed May 6, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Red Hook on W. Kerley Corner Rd., Red Hook |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | May 6, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002604 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Architectural style | Eighteenth-century Dutch Hudson Valley vernacular stone farmhouse |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence on a working farm; described as in good condition after restoration work in the 1970s. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.04532, -73.86234 (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 80002604.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5698125
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.