Watson, Elkanah, House
Why it's listed
Overlooking Lake Champlain from a rise at Port Kent, this square, two-story stone house was built in 1828 by Elkanah Watson, who also served as its designer. It has a hip roof with a square cupola, walls of local coursed ashlar stone, and a double-tiered porch across the front. Two circular windows flank the first floor of the east facade, echoed by rounded arches over the doorway. Later changes include stucco over most walls, a replaced rear addition, a relocated central staircase, and remodeled rooms. A small stone icehouse nearby may date from Watson's time. Watson, born in Massachusetts in 1758, carried money and dispatches during the Revolution, delivered the peace treaty to London in 1782, and later promoted canals, banking and education. After turning to farming in 1807, he organized exhibitions of livestock at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, that grew into the agricultural fair. He helped found Port Kent and lived there until 1842.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to Elkanah Watson, who is credited with creating the agricultural fair. His career also included service as a Revolutionary-era courier and diplomat, canal promotion, banking, and advocacy for a National Board of Agriculture. He built the house after moving to Port Kent in 1828 and lived there until his death in 1842.
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 66000518, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3 mi. E of U.S. 9, Port Kent |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000518 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1828 (built) |
| Architect / builder | Elkanah Watson |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated July 19, 1964 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a private residence; the interior has been altered, the rear extension replaced, and structural cracks noted in the walls. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 44.52481, -73.40530 (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 66000518.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5364192
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.