Thompson House
Why it's listed
Built around 1880 at 100 South Randolph Avenue in Poughkeepsie, this large Second Empire residence sits on less than an acre ringed by woods, with its facade facing west. It is a two-story brick house with a mansard roof, a raised stone basement, three arched dormers, double windows with brick arches, and a cornice with curved brackets. A sizable servants' wing extends to the rear, and a Gothic-style carriage house and an octagonal outhouse remain on the property. Early maps show the area as a nursery in 1867, and an 1891 map labels the property "Wilderness," owned by Thompson, reportedly a doctor. Inside, high ceilings make the large rooms feel spacious, and period woodwork, plaster ceiling medallions and fireplaces survive. The dining room was redone in the early 20th century and is an excellent Colonial Revival interior. Its Second Empire design in a country setting is the reason for its listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a fine example of the Second Empire style used in a country setting. The interior is grand, with large rooms, high ceilings, period woodwork and ceiling medallions. The dining room was redesigned in the early 20th century and is an excellent Colonial Revival interior.
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 82001166, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 100 S. Randolph Ave., Poughkeepsie |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001166 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in excellent condition, in original site with no major alterations, and still used as a residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.68138, -73.92019 (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 82001166.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7795741
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.