McCullers, Carson, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1880 as the parsonage for the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Nyacks, this house at 131 South Broadway in South Nyack is a wood-frame Second Empire residence with a slate-clad mansard roof. Around 1910 it was enlarged on the north side and updated with Colonial Revival and some Queen Anne touches, while much of the original plan and finishes survive inside, including plaster walls, period doors, stair details and mantels. A small garage was added about 1958. The house is listed chiefly for its association with novelist Carson McCullers, a prominent figure in mid-twentieth-century American literature, who lived and worked here despite long struggles with serious illness. During her time in the house she completed The Member of the Wedding, The Ballad of the Sad Café and Clock Without Hands, along with stories, essays and poetry. Its largely intact architecture adds a second layer of significance.
Significance in brief: The house is nominated for its link to author Carson McCullers (1917-1967), who completed three major works there: The Member of the Wedding, The Ballad of the Sad Café and Clock Without Hands. It is also significant as a largely intact Second Empire residence with later Colonial Revival and Queen Anne modifications. The nomination argues for national significance.
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 06000562, listed July 14, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 131 S. Broadway, South Nyack |
|---|---|
| County | Rockland County |
| Listed | July 14, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000562 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1880-1954 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Second Empire, Queen Anne; Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Literature, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as multiple dwelling; a small landscaped garden was added for visitors wishing to pay respects to McCullers. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.08597, -73.91928 (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 06000562.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5046947
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.