Jewish Community Center of White Sulphur Springs
Also known as: White Sulpher Springs Synagogue
Why it's listed
Set into a steep hillside on Briscoe Road in the Sullivan County hamlet of White Sulphur Springs, this small gable-roofed building was erected in 1934 as a Jewish community center. It served as a social hall for summer residents of a farming and resort community that catered to a large Jewish population. Within a few years it was converted for use as a synagogue, and it is still known locally by that name. Its exterior, with a stepped pedimented parapet, round-arched windows and a Star of David window, recalls Jewish religious architecture. The interior, however, is a single open rectangular room with no vestibule, no separate seating for men and women, and originally movable benches and tables. A player piano recalls its recreational role. Asbestos-cement siding and acoustical panels point to informal seasonal use. It is one of about twenty Jewish religious buildings in the county and the only one conceived as a social hall, and it retains a high degree of integrity.
Significance in brief: It is an intact example of an early twentieth-century Jewish cultural and religious building in Sullivan County, one of roughly twenty built by the county's Jewish settlers. It is unique among them because it was conceived as a social hall rather than a place of worship. Its open interior, informal furnishings and lightweight materials reflect both its secular origins and its later synagogue use.
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 99000991, listed August 12, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Briscoe Rd., White Sulphur Springs |
|---|---|
| County | Sullivan County |
| Listed | August 12, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000991 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c1934 |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; built by a Mr. Zaminsky |
| Architectural style | No style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious facility; some deterioration of original interior finishes, but retains a high degree of integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.79888, -74.83082 (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 99000991.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6189778
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.