Van Buren, John, Tavern
Why it's listed
Built between 1800 and 1821 by John Van Buren, this brick building near Fulton in Oswego County combined a family home with a busy tavern. Van Buren, among the first settlers in the Volney area in 1796, made the bricks at his own brickyard. The site sat near the first southerly portage around the Oswego Falls, so river travelers stopped there. The first floor held a tap room with its own outside entrance, while a second-floor ballroom hosted local dances and entertainments through the nineteenth century. After John's death in 1821, his son Jacob ran the business through the canal era until 1861. The building follows a Georgian-type central-hall plan and carries Greek Revival details such as heavy cornices, classical mantels and acanthus leaf ornament. Despite some 20th-century changes, it retains a high level of integrity. A smokehouse and an earlier family house on the grounds also contribute to the property.
Significance in brief: The tavern is presented as a remarkably intact early nineteenth century combined tavern and residence. It was run by two generations of the Van Buren family and served river and canal travelers, anchoring the family's transportation and trade businesses. Its Georgian-type plan and Greek Revival detailing add architectural interest.
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 88002377, listed November 3, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 57 and Van Buren Dr., Fulton |
|---|---|
| County | Oswego County |
| Listed | November 3, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88002377 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1800-1821 to 1861 |
| Architect / builder | Builder/architect listed as unknown; text states it was built by John Van Buren |
| Architectural style | Georgian-type plan with Greek Revival detailing |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in excellent condition, used as a private residence; altered in the 20th century. |
| Acreage | 6.5 |
| Coordinates | 43.35980, -76.42894 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 88002377.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706692
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.