Lacy-Van Vleet House
Why it's listed
Standing at the corner of West Main and Mill Streets in Dryden, this clapboard house of two and one-half stories reflects the transition between the Federal and Greek Revival styles. Its four elevations are each crowned by a pediment with molded cornices, triangular windows and acanthus leaf cresting, while colossal Doric pilasters carry a bold entablature. The main and east entrances have transoms, sidelights and four-pier porticos, and the basement windows keep their original cast-iron grilles. A nineteenth century barn, a granite mounting stone and two iron hitching posts also survive. The house is thought to have been built in 1845 for Dr. Daniel D. Page, who developed the Bunker Hill apple in orchards on the property. Later occupants included mill builder Lyman Corbin and John C. Lacy, a village president and son of pioneer Benjamin Lacy. Lacy's daughter Ada Belle and her husband, lawyer D.F. Van Vleet, later lived there. It is considered the finest Greek Revival residence in the village's resource area.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a distinguished example of Greek Revival residential architecture and the most substantial and distinguished of its style in the Dryden multiple resource area. It is also associated with Dryden's shift from settlement to prosperous community and with prominent village citizens, including John C. Lacy, and it retains an outstanding degree of integrity.
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 84003187, listed June 8, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 45 W. Main St., Dryden |
|---|---|
| County | Tompkins County |
| Listed | June 8, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003187 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (transitional between Federal and Greek Revival) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, on its original site, and still used as a private home; the only noted alteration is reroofing. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.49026, -76.30152 (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 84003187.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6469166
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.