Spencer House
Why it's listed
Set on a three-quarter-acre lot on East Main Street in Lima, this L-shaped frame house combines several building traditions. Believed to date from the 1830s, it was enlarged in the 1850s and 1860s. The two-story, three-bay, side-hall main block has clapboard siding, a cobblestone foundation, cornice returns and a louvered lunette in the front gable, all reflecting Federal influence. The recessed entrance with sidelights and transom, along with Doric columns on the side porch, reflects Greek Revival taste. The east wing, with broad eaves and floor-length windows, shows Victorian-era changes, probably made by William Vary after 1865. Earlier owners included Samuel Spencer, a local merchant and trustee of Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, who most likely built the main block. Inside, the woodwork and room layout remain largely intact. A nineteenth-century carriage barn behind the house survives nearly unchanged. The property was listed for its architectural value as a local example of transitional vernacular design.
Significance in brief: The house is considered architecturally significant as a representative example of mid-nineteenth century domestic architecture in Lima. Its main block blends Federal and Greek Revival features, while the wings show Victorian-era design. The surviving nineteenth-century carriage barn adds to its importance.
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 89001124, listed August 31, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7372 E. Main St., Lima |
|---|---|
| County | Livingston County |
| Listed | August 31, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001124 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1830s; late 1850s/1860s |
| Architectural style | Federal and Greek Revival (main block), with Victorian-era wings |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Private residence in good condition on its original site; no threats known. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.90577, -77.60833 (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 89001124.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7576084
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.