Dunfee House
Why it's listed
Built in 1914 at 206 Summit Avenue in Syracuse's Onondaga Highlands, this two-story brick and stucco house is an eclectic Arts and Crafts design by architect Ward Wellington Ward, blending Prairie and Mission influences. It has a concrete foundation, a hollow tile structural system, projecting bays, small balconies and two short square towers with decorative parapet roofs. Inside, it holds some of the most elaborate interiors Ward designed, including four Mercer tile fireplaces, carved woodwork, leaded glass bookcases and stained glass from the Henry Keck studio. It was built for Annie Dunfee, a widow, who requested Biblical scenes for two of the fireplaces. She lost the property to foreclosure in 1935. The house is valued as an intact, representative example of Ward's residential work and keeps most of its original finishes. A compatible frame garage also contributes. The city designated it a Protected Site in 1980.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criterion C as an intact, representative example of Ward Wellington Ward's residential architecture in Syracuse. It keeps its distinctive period features, including four Mercer tile fireplaces, carved woodwork and stained glass from the Henry Keck studio, and retains most of its original interior and exterior finishes.
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 97000092, listed February 14, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 206 Summit Ave., Syracuse |
|---|---|
| County | Onondaga County |
| Listed | February 14, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000092 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1914-1935 |
| Architect / builder | Ward, Ward Wellington |
| Architectural style | Arts and Crafts (eclectic, incorporating Prairie and Mission elements) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition inside and out, and still in use as a single dwelling; few changes since its period of significance. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Onondaga Highlands-Swaneola Heights Historic District |
| Coordinates | 43.03071, -76.16665 (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 97000092.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5315035
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.