Pulver-Bird, House
Also known as: Eagle Acres
Why it's listed
Set on an elevated brow of land above Hunns Lake Road in Stanford, this timber-frame farmhouse was built around 1839 for Henry Pulver. It follows the upright-and-flanker form, with a two-story center block and a monumental four-column Doric portico flanked by lower single-story wings. The foundation is local limestone, and the pediment carries a carved eagle. Inside, the original plan survives, including a turned newel stair, shouldered door and window surrounds, and a kitchen hearth with bake oven. A modern rear wing was added but is largely hidden from the road. A frame barn and an icehouse also contribute to the property. The house is long attributed to carpenter-builder Nathaniel Lockwood, Jr., who worked in the Stanford area. It was listed because it is a mature, well-preserved example of Greek Revival design in rural Dutchess County, built when the county was a leading grain producer. The Pulver family farmed the surrounding land for generations.
Significance in brief: The house is presented as one of the best remaining examples of Greek Revival domestic architecture in rural Dutchess County. It is long attributed to local carpenter-builder Nathaniel Lockwood, Jr. It also reflects the prosperity of the county's grain-farming economy in the late 1830s.
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 08000700, listed July 25, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 983 Hunns Lake Rd., Stanford |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | July 25, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000700 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1839-c. 1890 |
| Architect / builder | Nathaniel Lockwood, Jr. (long-attributed carpenter-builder) |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling. A modern rear wing and a swimming pool have been added, and the original barn complex northeast of the house burned down. |
| Acreage | 19 |
| Coordinates | 41.91320, -73.63378 (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 08000700.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7259742
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.