DeWitt, W.F., Hotel
Why it's listed
Built around 1865 in the hamlet of Oak Hill, in the town of Durham, Greene County, this two-and-one-half story frame hotel sits on a stone foundation beneath a moderately pitched metal-clad gable roof with a simple bracketed cornice. Clapboard siding, original two-over-two sash and a finely crafted Italianate recessed entrance with its original paired glazed doors mark the front. A two-story porch that once spanned the facade was removed because of deterioration and its closeness to Route 81. Inside, the original plan survives, with a former tavern room and two parlors on the first floor and small chambers off a central hall upstairs. The hotel recalls Oak Hill's mid-nineteenth century prosperity, when iron foundries and related industries drove the local economy and the hamlet already had two hotels by 1857. Its large scale, intact finishes and restrained Greek Revival and Italianate details led to its listing for architecture. After a period of decline, it has been restored and now houses an antique shop.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hotel is an intact example of large-scale, mid-nineteenth century commercial architecture in Oak Hill. Its scale reflects the hamlet's iron-driven industrial boom and prosperity. It keeps its original floor plan and most original finishes, and displays restrained Greek Revival and Italianate features.
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 01001389, listed December 28, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7803 NY 81, Durham |
|---|---|
| County | Greene County |
| Listed | December 28, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01001389 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1865 |
| Architectural style | Victorian/Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | After years of decline and neglect, the hotel was recently acquired and underwent a sensitive restoration. Its current function is listed as an antique shop. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Oak Hill Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.40968, -74.15256 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 01001389.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7945516
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.