Smith, Gerrit, Estate
Also known as: See also:Peterboro Land Office
Why it's listed
Set in the quiet hamlet of Peterboro, this 7.78-acre estate was the home base of Gerrit Smith, a nineteenth-century reformer and abolitionist. Once a village-like complex of about thirty buildings, it now retains a brick Land Office and smokehouse built in 1804, a mid-century timber-framed barn, a laundry building, and the site of the mansion, which burned in 1936. The Land Office held records of the Smith family's extensive land holdings in New York and other states. Accounts say the barn sheltered people escaping slavery, and the laundry reflects the work of Harriet Russell, who was freed by Gerrit and Ann Smith in 1841. Ruins, garden walls, an iron fence, a limestone dam and wooded and open grounds add archaeological and landscape interest. A nearby house called the lodge is altered and does not contribute. The surrounding hamlet has changed little since the mid-nineteenth century, which preserves the estate's setting. The period of significance runs from 1819 to 1874.
Significance in brief: The estate was the home of abolitionist and reformer Gerrit Smith and is tied to his Underground Railroad activity, with the barn reportedly used to hide fugitives from slavery. The Land Office was the centre of the Smith family's vast land business. The grounds retain archaeological potential and a largely unchanged hamlet setting.
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 97001386, listed November 24, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of Main and Nelson Sts., Peterboro |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | November 24, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97001386 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1819-1874 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic/Federal; Mid-19th Century/Other: Board and Batten, Rustic/Chalet |
| Areas of significance | Black, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 30, 2001 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The Land Office was in a condition assessment in 1994; the barn is in fair condition and used for storage; the laundry is in poor condition; the mansion burned in 1936. The form lists current use as single dwelling and vacant. |
| Acreage | 7.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.96816, -75.68631 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 97001386.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5552592
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.