Best, Abraham, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1815-1816 for Abraham Best, a newcomer from Claverack, this two-story brick house on Vischer Ferry Road in Clifton Park is a well-preserved example of Federal architecture. The five-bay main block has a side-facing gable roof, gable-end chimneys, Flemish bond brickwork on the front and a one-and-a-half-story frame kitchen ell behind. The entrance has sidelights, pilasters and garlanded frieze panels, and a three-part Palladian window sits above it. Inside, the original plan, wide plank floors, plaster walls and four carved mantels survive. The builder is attributed to John Harder, a joiner whose work appears in a similar nearby house. Best expanded his farm to more than 200 acres as the Erie and Champlain Canals arrived. Changes include a 1940s restoration that returned the original front door, added plumbing and heat, and opened two windows. Today the house and a circa 1900 barn are rare survivors of the township's farming past.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a locally outstanding example of early nineteenth century Federal architecture, with distinctive door and Palladian window detailing and very high integrity. It is also a rare surviving remnant of Clifton Park's agricultural past. The period of significance runs through a 1940s restoration, the last major change to the house.
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 11000452, listed July 14, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 113 Vischer Ferry Rd., Vischer Ferry |
|---|---|
| County | Saratoga County |
| Listed | July 14, 2011 |
| Reference number | 11000452 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1816-1945 |
| Architect / builder | John Harder (attributed) |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a single dwelling, with the same historic and current use. The house retains a rural setting and very high integrity. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 42.81417, -73.82517 (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 11000452.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q23091414
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.