Conkling, Roscoe, House
Also known as: Miller-Conkling-Kernan House; See Also:Rutger-Steuben Park Hi
Why it's listed
Set on a hill overlooking old Utica, this Greek Revival house at 3 Rutger Park was designed by Albany architect Philip Hooker. Judge Morris Miller began it sometime between 1820 and his death in 1824, and his son Rutger B. Miller finished it in 1829-30. Its brick walls are covered with gray stucco scored to look like stone, and its windows have a distinctive three-part form. Early on it was nicknamed "Miller's Folly" because it stood far from the town's edge. From about 1863 until 1888 it was the home of Roscoe Conkling, a U.S. Senator who controlled New York's Republican organization and fought civil service reform under Presidents Hayes and Garfield. His feud with Garfield helped create the political climate preceding Garfield's assassination. Nicholas E. Kernan bought the house in 1894 and added an east wing. It is the central and oldest of five houses in Rutger Park and is believed to be the only surviving structure prominently associated with Conkling.
Significance in brief: It was the Utica home of Senator Roscoe Conkling from about 1863 until his death in 1888. Conkling was a powerful New York Republican political boss who clashed with Presidents Hayes and Garfield. The house is believed to be the only surviving structure prominently associated with his life.
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 75001214, listed May 15, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3 Rutger St., Utica |
|---|---|
| County | Oneida County |
| Listed | May 15, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001214 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | circa 1863-1888 |
| Architect / builder | Philip Hooker (Albany architect) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 15, 1975 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition and altered, and used as a private residence; the interior was not viewed by the form's preparer. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 43.09605, -75.22957 (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 75001214.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7367502
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.