Avery Farmhouse
Why it's listed
This farmhouse sits on a 203.38-acre farm at the end of an isolated dirt road off Route 30 in the western part of Duanesburg. Built in the 1850s, it is a two-story, T-shaped clapboard dwelling on a slightly raised stone foundation. Its giant pedimented portico with square columns, full entablature, broad corner pilasters and a central entrance with sidelights and a transom mark it as mature Greek Revival work. One-story gabled wings flank the main block, and later rear additions have altered windows and siding. Alexander Delos "Boss" Jones, a prolific local master builder, built the house for his daughter Mary Elisabeth and her husband, Charles Avery. It is regarded as one of only two fully developed temple-front buildings in the surrounding resource area. Eight nineteenth-century farm structures also contribute: five silos, a garage, a large barn complex and a barn. The whole farm was nominated because its acreage reflects both historic and present agricultural use.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the best, most sophisticated examples of mature Greek Revival style in Duanesburg and one of only two fully developed temple-front buildings in the multiple resource area. It also represents the work of Boss Jones, the town's most prolific and skilled master builder, and retains a complex of nineteenth-century farm outbuildings and its historic farm setting.
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 84003106, listed October 11, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NY 30, Duanesburg |
|---|---|
| County | Schenectady County |
| Listed | October 11, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003106 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Alexander Delos (Boss) Jones |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Private residence in residential use; condition listed as excellent; no threats known. |
| Acreage | 203.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.77168, -74.23560 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 84003106.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4828384
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.