Melius-Bentley House
Why it's listed
Set on wooded land sloping toward the Roeliff Jansen Kill, this house on Mount Ross Road north of Pine Plains grew in three stages. Johannes Jacob Melius built the original one-and-one-half-story frame section around 1717, using massive posts and beams, clay-and-roughage nogging, and a steep gable roof with the curved "Dutch Kick" porch overhang. He soon added a room to the west, set forward of the first and possibly linked to a local legend that he ran a tavern. About 1802 a two-story Federal side-hall wing followed, traditionally tied to Henry Bentley, who owned nearby mills. The house is notable because frame buildings from the early eighteenth century rarely survive in the Hudson Valley, and this one keeps original siding, framing and interior details. The Federal wing adds an elegant paneled parlor chimney breast and built-in cupboards. Two nineteenth-century barns also stand on the 24.8-acre parcel.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a rare, intact survival of an early eighteenth century Hudson Valley frame dwelling built in North European vernacular fashion. It retains much original siding, nogging and interior detail. The Federal wing is significant for its integrity and woodwork. Together the parts show the evolution of local housing form and style over a century.
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 82005024, listed August 11, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Pine Plains on Mt. Ross Rd., Pine Plains |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | August 11, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82005024 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799, 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Early Hudson Valley frame vernacular with a Federal addition |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a private residence and occupied; the form describes the condition as good and altered. |
| Acreage | 24.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.00581, -73.70989 (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 82005024.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6813000
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.