Masten-Quinn House
Why it's listed
This small farmhouse at 59 First Street in Wurtsboro, Sullivan County, was built between about 1820 and 1850 as the home of Lawrence and Maria Masten. It began as a three-bay, one-and-one-half-story wood-frame dwelling with a large fieldstone and brick chimney, and was soon enlarged by an addition on the north side. A narrow porch faces east toward the Delaware and Hudson Canal, which crossed the family's 100-acre farm. The Mastens, descendants of an early Basher Kill Valley landholder, gave the canal company a right-of-way and gained access to markets in Ellenville, Kingston and Port Jervis. The farm ceased operating in 1948 and its land was sold off, but the house survives on a half-acre lot with old trees and views of the Shawangunk Mountains, along with a relocated chicken house. It was listed for its architecture as a typical, well-preserved canal-era farmhouse and a rare reminder of the area's agricultural past.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a distinctive, intact example of an early nineteenth-century canal-era farmhouse in Mamakating. Its small scale, elongated form, narrow porch and orientation toward the nearby Delaware and Hudson Canal reflect the link between farming and transportation. It is a rare surviving remnant of Wurtsboro's canal-era agricultural history.
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 03000046, listed February 13, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 59 First St., Wurtsboro |
|---|---|
| County | Sullivan County |
| Listed | February 13, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000046 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c1820-1850 |
| Architectural style | no style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a single-family residence; the original 100-acre farm has been subdivided and the house is surrounded by modern housing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.57708, -74.48068 (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 03000046.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6784906
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.