House at 326 North Peterboro Street
Why it's listed
Built around 1890, this large two and one-half story frame house on North Peterboro Street in Canastota combines Queen Anne and Colonial Revival features. Clapboard and shingle siding, an asymmetrical plan, a multi-gabled roof of polychrome slate, and bracketed cantilevered gable ends give it a picturesque profile. A sweeping verandah with paired Doric columns wraps the southwest corner beneath a conical roof. Inside, the original room layout survives along with parquet floors, plaster cornice detailing, a terra-cotta fireplace, a stained-glass stair window, and carved oak woodwork. Behind the house stands a turn-of-the-century garage/barn with half-timbered doors. The street was once among the village's most fashionable residential areas, but many of its large homes have been altered or lost, which makes this house a rare survivor. Its first occupant was Herman Casler, a local figure in early photography who, with partner Harry Marvin, helped found the Biograph Films enterprise.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the finest examples of late-nineteenth century residential architecture in Canastota, blending Queen Anne and Colonial Revival features. It retains a remarkably intact period interior and a matching carriage house. It is also a rare survivor of the once-fashionable North Peterboro Street neighborhood and was the home of Herman Casler, an early figure in photography and the Biograph Films industry.
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 86001299, listed May 23, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 326 N. Peterboro St., Canastota |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | May 23, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001299 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne and Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition on its original site and in use as a private residence; no threats are known. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.08559, -75.74977 (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 86001299.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5914242
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.