Ferdon, William, House
Also known as: Ferdon Hall
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Ferdon Hall, at 270 Ferdon Avenue in Piermont, Rockland County, is a large frame house built around 1835 for William Ferdon. Its two-story main block sits above a high sandstone basement and is fronted by a monumental portico of six fluted Ionic columns, facing the Sparkill Creek where Ferdon's woolen mill once operated. Inside, a center-hall plan, a cantilevered staircase, sliding parlor doors, plaster cornices and ceiling medallions survive as examples of Greek Revival finish work. Later changes include a 1920s addition, since removed, and new two-tier flanker wings and a rear verandah that leave the original block largely intact. The house is significant for its architecture and for its link to local industry. It was built when Rockland County still favored conservative building traditions, and its scale and temple-front form would have stood out among Piermont's simpler frame, brick and sandstone homes. It remains a private residence.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the house as an ambitious example of Greek Revival domestic design in Rockland County, built when the style was only beginning to influence the area. It is also tied to William Ferdon's woolen mill business on the Sparkill Creek, which is why industry is listed as an area of significance. The original 1830s plan and finishes remain largely intact despite later additions.
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 11000292, listed May 18, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 270 Ferdon Ave., Piermont |
|---|---|
| County | Rockland County |
| Listed | May 18, 2011 |
| Reference number | 11000292 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | C. 1835-1872 |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Industry |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a single dwelling. Early twentieth-century additions were removed and replaced with new flanker wings and a rear verandah; the woolen mill is no longer standing. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.03493, -73.91892 (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 11000292.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q23091520
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.