Wellscroft
The pin is a point inside the NPS boundary polygon, not a surveyed location.
Why it's listed
Wellscroft is a large summer estate near Upper Jay in Essex County, New York, built in 1903 in the Tudor Revival and Arts and Crafts styles. The complex stands on 15 acres at the base of Ebenezer Mountain, with views across the AuSable River Valley. The 15,000 square foot main house has a fieldstone first story, a second story of wood shingles and half-timbering, diamond-paned windows, and a stone porte-cochere. Inside, the common rooms keep beamed ceilings, paneled wainscoting, brick fireplaces, built-in seating and hand-painted murals. Outbuildings include a powerhouse, firehouse, icehouse, gazebo and root cellar. Jean Wells and Wallis Craig Smith of Saginaw, Michigan, had it built as a summer home. Jean Wells's father was a native of Upper Jay. The Smiths funded the Wells Memorial Library in 1906 and helped establish a water system and a volunteer fire department. The estate reflects the Adirondack trend of building large private retreats, and its high integrity supports its listing.
Significance in brief: The main house is described as a distinguished, highly intact example of Tudor Revival and Arts and Crafts architecture, retaining its original plan and finishes. The estate was built for Jean Wells and Wallis Craig Smith of Saginaw, Michigan, and reflects the growth of large private retreats in the Adirondacks. The Smiths also left a civic legacy in Upper Jay, including the Wells Memorial Library.
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 03001513, listed January 28, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 158 NY 9N, Upper Jay |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | January 28, 2004 |
| Reference number | 03001513 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival (with Arts and Crafts features) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current use is listed as inn (B&B)/residence. The main house is described as intact despite several decades of abandonment, and some lost outbuildings survive only as ruins. |
| Acreage | 15 |
| Within district | New York Central Railroad Adirondack Division Historic District |
| Coordinates | 44.34330, -73.77165 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 03001513.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7981744
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.