Van Buren, David, House
Why it's listed
This brick Greek Revival house in Volney, near Fulton in Oswego County, was built in 1847 for David Van Buren by local builder Gunred H. Parker. It faces the Oswego River, the main trade route of the area in the nineteenth century. The main block has five by three bays, a hipped roof and a large rear wing, and is fronted by a monumental pedimented Doric portico. Frieze windows with iron grilles, a heavy trabeated entrance surround and wide molded interior trim give the house a monumental character. The Van Buren family were early settlers who profited from farming, a tavern, shipyards, mills and the canal carrying trade, and the house shows that prosperity. Their other commercial buildings no longer survive. The house stayed in the family until 1954 and has seen only limited interior changes, so it retains a high level of integrity. It is considered one of the most distinguished Greek Revival residences in the county.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a distinguished, exceptionally intact example of Greek Revival residential architecture in central New York, with one of the finest temple-front designs in Oswego County. It also reflects the wealth and social status of the Van Buren family, early settlers active in farming, canal boating, milling, shipbuilding and trade.
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 88000726, listed June 9, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Van Buren Dr., W end at the Oswego River, Fulton |
|---|---|
| County | Oswego County |
| Listed | June 9, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88000726 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1847 |
| Architect / builder | Gunred H. Parker, builder |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; condition listed as excellent, with the cupola being restored and to be reattached. |
| Acreage | 2.4 |
| Coordinates | 43.36043, -76.42870 (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 88000726.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5240598
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.