Tracy Farm
Why it's listed
Tracy Farm is a small farmstead on the east side of Wilder Road in the western part of the Town of Orleans, Jefferson County. Once a much larger holding, it now occupies 1.2 acres surrounded by other farmland. The main house, built around 1890 on the stone foundation of an earlier dwelling, is a clapboard-sided, L-shaped, two-story block with a rear kitchen ell, modest Victorian detailing, and original plaster ceilings, moldings and paneled doors. Nearby are the original c.1860 farmhouse, now used for storage, a board-and-batten horse and buggy barn, a plank cow barn with a rare wooden silo, and the remains of an iron windmill and pump. The property was listed for its agricultural and architectural significance. Together, the buildings show how farmers in the region lived and worked in the late 19th century. The early farmhouse is a rare survivor, since North Country farmers often recycled old buildings into new uses.
Significance in brief: The farm is argued to be a largely intact representative example of a late-19th century farmstead in the Town of Orleans. The c.1890 house reflects the prosperity of farmers of the period, and the c.1860 farmhouse is a rare surviving mid-19th century vernacular dwelling. The barns, rare wooden silo, windmill and pump reflect the town's agricultural landscape.
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 97000066, listed February 14, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E. side of Wilder Rd., S of jct. with Overbluff Rd., Orleans |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | February 14, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000066 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1860-c.1900 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian; Mid-19th Century |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The c.1890 farmhouse is in use as a single dwelling and has high integrity. The c.1860 farmhouse is used for storage and is dilapidated, with only fair integrity. The horse and buggy barn is used as a hay barn. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 44.15259, -75.99852 (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 97000066.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7831731
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.