Seeley Farmhouse
Also known as: Little Richard's Tavern
Why it's listed
Built around 1850 on Freeman's Bridge Road in Glenville, this wood-frame farmhouse was home to John H. Seeley, a German-born broom manufacturer. Its front block is an unusual version of the tripartite Greek Revival house, with a two-story pedimented center pavilion, flanking one-and-one-half-story wings, panelled pilasters and a square-posted portico. Inside, the entrance hall, curving staircase, slate mantels, floors, sash and doors remain original. A later rear block, heavily altered, now holds a restaurant and bar. From about 1850 to 1880 Schenectady County supplied a large share of the nation's brooms, and the Seeley farm raised broom corn on the river flats and employed workers who lived on the property. The barns and outbuildings are gone, though broom-making machinery was found in them before demolition. The house survives as a record of that industry and of modest farm architecture lent classical dignity.
Significance in brief: The house is a vernacular, mid-nineteenth-century Greek Revival home that served as an active broom-making farm during the county's broom-corn boom. The front block survives largely as John H. Seeley built it. The house is a reminder of a local industry now almost forgotten, and its atypical tripartite Greek Revival design gives dignity to a house of average size.
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 78001909, listed May 23, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2 Freeman's Bridge Rd., Schenectady |
|---|---|
| County | Schenectady County |
| Listed | May 23, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78001909 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date c. 1850) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (vernacular, tripartite mid-century farmhouse) |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied; condition fair. The rear block is used as a tavern and restaurant, the front block is a private residence, and the outbuildings were demolished after 1956. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.83173, -73.93024 (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 78001909.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7445829
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.