Van Buren, Volkert, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1832 near Fulton in the Town of Volney, this two-and-one-half-story brick house is a well-preserved rural example of Federal style design. Volkert Van Buren, a miller, lumberman, and farmer whose father settled the area in 1796, had it constructed during the boom that followed the opening of the Oswego Canal in 1828. The side-gabled house has a symmetrical five-bay front, brick laid in English bond, a modillioned cornice with small returns, and an entrance with Tuscan columns, sidelights, and a glazed transom. Inside, each of the eight original rooms has a fireplace, and the formal southern rooms carry refined mantels and moldings. A 1970 garage replaced an earlier rear wing on its original foundation, and a porch was removed from the facade. The house is recognized for its architectural quality and its link to a family central to local mills, shipyards, and canal trade.
Significance in brief: The house is presented as a distinguished and exceptionally intact rural example of Federal style architecture. Its five-bay symmetrical facade, modillioned cornice, and Neoclassical entrance, together with refined interior mantels and moldings, reflect the taste and wealth of its original owner. It is also tied to the Van Buren family's early settlement and canal-era commercial enterprises.
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 88001707, listed October 7, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 57 and Distin Rd., Fulton |
|---|---|
| County | Oswego County |
| Listed | October 7, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88001707 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | circa 1832 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown; built by Volkert Van Buren |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition with a high degree of interior and exterior integrity; occupied as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Coordinates | 43.36704, -76.42590 (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 88001707.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7940251
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.