Wheeler, Menzo, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1860 at the corner of Main and Depot Streets in Three Mile Bay, this two-and-one-half story clapboard house was the work of local merchant Menzo Wheeler, who had recently converted the town sawmill to steam power. Its form follows the local gabled-ell cottage pattern but on a larger scale, with two principal facades. A mansard roof, steeply pitched Gothic Revival gables, an Italianate cupola and siding ranging from conventional clapboards to flush boards give it a distinctly whimsical character. Inside, a central stair hall has an unusual asymmetrical winding stair, and the rooms were originally heated by coal-fired stoves rather than fireplaces. The house was valued at $3000 in 1865 and was the most elaborate residence in the hamlet. It may have helped advertise the lumber Wheeler produced. The property retains a high level of integrity, and a remnant warehouse converted to a garage is the only non-contributing element.
Significance in brief: The house is argued to be a unique, individualized example of mid-nineteenth century eclecticism in Lyme domestic architecture. It combines a French mansard roof, high-pitched Gothic Revival gables, an Italianate cupola and varied siding. It was the most elaborate residence built in Three Mile Bay and survives virtually intact with outstanding 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 90001335, listed September 6, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Main and Depot Sts., Chaumont |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | September 6, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001335 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Mid-nineteenth century eclectic, combining Greek Revival vernacular form with Gothic Revival, Italianate and French mansard elements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residence; condition is rated good and no threats are known. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.08113, -76.19777 (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 90001335.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6817735
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.