Hancock House
Why it's listed
Set at the top of Montcalm Street near Moses Circle in Ticonderoga, this two and one-half story Weymouth granite building was completed in 1926 as a replica of John Hancock's house, which stood on Beacon Hill in Boston until its demolition in 1863. The original had been measured and drawn before it came down. Philanthropist Horace A. Moses, a Ticonderoga native, financed the building and offered an endowment of $100,000 to attract the New York State Historical Association, which used it as its first headquarters until 1939. Architect M.H. Westhoff and contractor Edward F. Minor reproduced the Georgian design with limestone quoins, keystones, a gambrel slate roof and balustrade. The interior, centered on an open stair with three turned balusters per step, closely recreates the original. Today the Ticonderoga Historical Society occupies it as a library and museum, continuing its original purpose. It is valued as an outstanding local example of Colonial Revival architecture and as a community landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an outstanding example of Colonial Revival architecture in Ticonderoga and a precise replica of a Boston house demolished in 1863. It was a gift of philanthropist Horace Moses and built as the first headquarters of the New York State Historical Association. Its highly intact interior and fine craftsmanship add to its importance as a community landmark.
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 88002197, listed November 15, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Montcalm and Wicker Sts., Ticonderoga |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | November 15, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88002197 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect M.H. Westhoff, Springfield, MA; builder Edward F. Minor |
| Architectural style | Georgian style building; Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently serves as headquarters, library and museum of the Ticonderoga Historical Society (since 1976); condition listed as excellent and no threats known. |
| Acreage | 1.4 |
| Coordinates | 43.84828, -73.43445 (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 88002197.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5647047
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.