Ketchum, B., House
Why it's listed
Built around 1765 at the intersection of Middleville, Break and Cheese, and Old Bridge Roads, this one and one-half story shingled house is an early settlement-period dwelling in the wooded Middleville area of Huntington. It takes its name from B. Ketchum, an early owner from the locally prominent Ketchum family. The timber-framed house reflects conservative local building practice, with shingle sheathing and little decoration, yet its six-bay plan with two entrances is unusual. Alterations came over time: the rear roof was raised in the early twentieth century, ending the original saltbox profile, and bay windows, an east wing and a lattice pergola were added around the middle of the century. A modern three-bay garage stands to the west and does not contribute to the property's character. The house remains largely intact and keeps its rural setting, recalling the early growth of the area.
Significance in brief: The house is a representative example of eighteenth-century settlement period architecture in Huntington. It shows conservative local building practices such as timber framing, shingle sheathing and minimal decoration, but has an unusual six-bay, double-entrance plan. It is a largely intact, well-recognized local resource that recalls the area's early settlement and growth.
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 85002581, listed September 26, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 237 Middleville Rd., Huntington |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | September 26, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002581 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Eighteenth-century settlement period architecture; timber-framed, shingled saltbox-origin dwelling |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition, in use as a residence, on its original site, with no known threats. A non-contributing mid-twentieth century garage stands on the property. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 40.89929, -73.29715 (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 85002581.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4834090
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.