Bowen, Benjamin, House
Also known as: "What Cheer Hall"
Why it's listed
Built in 1812, this two-story limestone house on Main Street in Newport, Herkimer County, was the home of Benjamin Bowen, the village's founder and first permanent settler. Bowen came with a group of Rhode Islanders drawn by the water power of West Canada Creek, and built a sawmill, grist mill, distillery, oil mill and cotton spinning factory. He also sold lots to new settlers and served in the state legislature and as a county judge. The symmetrical, five-bay house has light gray ashlar walls cut from local limestone, a hipped roof, stone quoins, and a doorway with a semicircular transom. Inside, a curved hanging staircase, carved mantels and molded trim survive. Bowen's finances collapsed after the War of 1812, and he left the county about 1815. The house was sold to settle his debts and later passed through several owners. A stone smokehouse of the same period also remains. The property is valued as a well-preserved regional example of Federal architecture shaped by New England builders.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criteria A and C as a distinguished, largely intact example of Federal period stone architecture in Herkimer County and the Mohawk region. It is tied to Benjamin Bowen, founder and first permanent settler of Newport and an early industrialist. Its design, materials and craftsmanship reflect New England influence brought to the Mohawk Valley.
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 98001342, listed November 5, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7482 Main St., Newport |
|---|---|
| County | Herkimer County |
| Listed | November 5, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98001342 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1812-1815 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic/Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a single dwelling, both historically and currently; retains a high level of integrity despite some alterations. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 43.18773, -75.05212 (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 98001342.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4888315
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.