Whalen, Harvey, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1875 on Whalen Road in Penfield, this brick farmhouse was commissioned by Harvey Whalen, who built it in anticipation of a political career that never fully developed. The two-and-a-half story main block shows Victorian Gothic features such as steep intersecting gable roofs, decorative trusses and stone window hoods. A square tower with a slate-covered, crested mansard roof adds Second Empire character, and a one-story brick wing extends to the north. Inside, the original floor plan survives, with mahogany stair railings, pocket doors, ornate plaster ceiling medallions and compound architrave trim. Three outbuildings from the farm era remain on the 1.2 acre lot. Victorian Gothic and Second Empire designs were uncommon in Penfield, where most high-style farmhouses followed other fashions. The house was listed for its architecture and its high degree of preservation. Whalen's sons lived there all their lives and both served as town supervisor.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an intact representative example of nineteenth-century rural domestic architecture in western New York. Victorian Gothic and Second Empire styles were rare in Penfield, where Italianate and Queen Anne houses were more common. The house keeps a wealth of original interior and exterior features, especially plaster and wood trim.
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 94001342, listed November 21, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 140 Whalen Rd., Penfield |
|---|---|
| County | Monroe County |
| Listed | November 21, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94001342 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1875 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Gothic, Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling. The interior floor plan and many original finishes survive, although the kitchen has been remodelled and one rear second-floor bedroom altered. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 43.14159, -77.44558 (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 94001342.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706331
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.