Burroughs, John, Riverby Study
Why it's listed
Riverby occupies about 14.5 acres on a steep slope above the Hudson River in West Park, New York, directly across from the Vanderbilt Mansion. John Burroughs, a naturalist and widely read author, designed and built the stone house in 1873, using local stone laid as rubble with minimal mortar. In 1881 he added a small Study, about 15 feet square, clad in chestnut slabs with the bark left on, where he went to read and write away from household noise. A rustic summerhouse and a 1904 barn also date from his time. His son Julian added a Craftsman-style bungalow in 1903, a highly individual concrete and brick barn in 1917, and an observatory. The property is recognized for its link to Burroughs, whose nature essays, published from 1865 until his death in 1921, drew public attention to ordinary natural surroundings and contributed to the conservation movement. Both the house and the land appeared often in his writing.
Significance in brief: The property is significant for its association with John Burroughs, a naturalist and influential author whose popular nature writing ran from 1865 until his death in 1921. Riverby and its land were frequent subjects in his work. His essays encouraged public interest in nature and the out-of-doors and so helped the growth of the conservation movement.
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 68000035, listed November 24, 1968. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Between NY 9W and the Hudson River, West Park |
|---|---|
| County | Ulster County |
| Listed | November 24, 1968 |
| Reference number | 68000035 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1973-1921 |
| Architect / builder | Burroughs, John; Burroughs, Julian |
| Architectural style | Stick Style, Craftsman, Rustic |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Conservation |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 24, 1968 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The main house is in good condition and the Study is in relatively good condition but needs underpinning at one corner. Julian Burroughs's barn is in very poor condition and the observatory is in poor condition. |
| Coordinates | 41.80094, -73.95660 (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 68000035.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2485512
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.