Pierce, Charles, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1840 in the hamlet of Oak Hill in Durham, Greene County, New York, this two-story frame house is a regional example of Greek Revival design. Its five-bay clapboard front is dominated by a full two-story porch carried on four fluted Ionic columns, with a cast iron balustrade at the upper level and finely crafted classical entrances. Inside, the center-hall plan survives, along with a marbleized fireplace surround and unusually elaborate carved door and window trim. Carvings in the northwest bedroom are believed to refer to the olive-tree bed in Homer's Odyssey. The house was probably built for Charles Pierce, linked to the Cherritree & Pierce Iron Foundry, in a hamlet whose economy grew on iron manufacturing. It is considered a builder's adaptation of the Greek Revival and one of the area's best-known visual landmarks. After years of decline, it has been acquired and is being restored.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding regional example of Greek Revival architecture, with a monumental two-story Ionic porch and unusual carved interior architraves. It reflects the wealth of Oak Hill's iron-industry era and is a recognizable local landmark. It retains a high degree of architectural integrity.
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 01001386, listed December 28, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7846 NY 81, Durham |
|---|---|
| County | Greene County |
| Listed | December 28, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01001386 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1840 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century/Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The rear wing is in an advanced state of deterioration. The house was recently acquired and is undergoing a sensitive restoration after years of decline. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Oak Hill Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.41143, -74.15290 (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 01001386.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5081654
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.