Potter-Van Camp House
Also known as: 101-42-0005
Why it's listed
Set on a small lot in a densely built residential neighborhood just west of Washington Park in Bath, this one-and-one-half story clapboard cottage was built around 1845-1850 in the Gothic Revival style. Its steeply pitched cross gable roof carries a scroll-sawn bargeboard, and the front gable holds a pair of tall, narrow windows beneath a louvred diamond-shaped ventilator topped by a triangular label mold. First-story windows have shouldered label molds. An early twentieth century porch wraps the southeast corner, and dormers were later added to the rear wing. The house reflects pattern-book designs popular in the 1840s and 1850s and is one of only two surviving Gothic Revival cottages in the village. It was probably built by Hiram Potter, who bought the lot in 1840. David Van Camp, a local insurance agent, acquired the property in 1850. The house remains a residence and keeps its original site.
Significance in brief: The house is considered a distinctive example of the Gothic Revival cottage style popularized in pattern books of the 1840s and 1850s. Its asymmetrical form, steeply pitched cross gable roof, ornamental bargeboard and verticality reflect the picturesque ideals of the period. It is one of only two surviving Gothic Revival cottages in Bath.
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 83001802, listed September 30, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 4 W. Washington St., Bath |
|---|---|
| County | Steuben County |
| Listed | September 30, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001802 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence, as originally; condition rated good, with no known threats to the building. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.33729, -77.31947 (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 83001802.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7235245
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.