Stilwill-Westbrook Stone House
Why it's listed
Set on a twenty-acre parcel on the west side of Old Kings Highway in Kyserike, this stone house is a fine example of the one-and-one-half story linear dwelling that dominated stone building in Ulster County and the town of Rochester from the late seventeenth century to the mid nineteenth century. The main block is attributed to Isaac Hasbrouck, who is thought to have built it in the mid-eighteenth century. Early in the nineteenth century it received a Greek Revival attic story, deep cornice, front porch and formal central entry, along with a rear stone wing that was later widened and joined by a frame addition. Among seventy-two stone or brick houses identified in Rochester built before 1944, it represents the most common local form. In the mid nineteenth century the Westbrook family acquired it; J. Westbrook boarded the young Alton Brooks Parker, later a judge and presidential candidate, while he taught at the nearby Accord school. A large six-seat privy of about 1880 also contributes.
Significance in brief: The house is significant architecturally as an example of the classic one-and-one-half story linear stone dwelling typical of the Hudson Valley and Ulster County. It is one of seventy-two stone or brick houses identified in Rochester built before 1944. It also has associations with the Hasbrouck and Westbrook families.
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 99000997, listed August 12, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 482 Old Kings Highway, Rochester |
|---|---|
| County | Ulster County |
| Listed | August 12, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000997 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca.1750-ca.1890 |
| Architectural style | Colonial/Dutch Colonial; Mid 19th Century/Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently in use as a single dwelling, with a 20.5-acre parcel containing two contributing and three non-contributing buildings. |
| Acreage | 20.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.80733, -74.19576 (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 99000997.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7617350
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.