Colyer House, The
Why it's listed
Built around 1795 on what was once a 300-acre farm, this two-story, five-bay brick house on State Route 30 in Schoharie is a fine example of Federal architecture. The main block is laid in Flemish bond on the front and south side and English bond on the north and rear, under a slate gable roof. Inside, a center hall with an open staircase is flanked by formal parlors, and carved Federal mantels, wide-plank pine floors and molded woodwork survive. A rear kitchen block keeps its exposed beams and large cooking hearth. The only major change was a Greek Revival entryway added about 1845. The house is considered among the most sophisticated and best-preserved Federal homes in Schoharie County, reflecting the valley's shift from pioneer settlement to prosperous farming. No architect or original builder has been identified. The Colyer family bought the farm in 1933, and a 1937 fire destroyed the barn, after which most of the land was sold.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criterion C as a distinctive and well-preserved example of Federal period architecture in the Schoharie Valley. It keeps its original form, massing, materials and much of its woodwork and detailing, with only minor Greek Revival alteration around 1845. It reflects the region's late eighteenth-century settlement and its nineteenth-century agricultural prosperity.
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 08000025, listed February 13, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5729 NY 30, Schoharie |
|---|---|
| County | Schoharie County |
| Listed | February 13, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000025 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1795 - 1845 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic / Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a single-family dwelling; the form describes it as substantially intact with a high level of integrity. |
| Acreage | 4.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.69547, -74.29704 (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 08000025.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7726892
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.