Birdsall, Stephen T., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1884-85 at the corner of Ridge and William Streets in Glens Falls, this two-and-one-half story Queen Anne residence combines a first story of rock-faced, random ashlar limestone with upper floors of wood frame sheathed in shingles. A slate roof with cross gables and wall dormers, scrollwork in the gable peaks, a covered porch with flared posts, and a second-story gallery give it the rambling look typical of the style. Inside, surviving features include a vestibule with beveled glass doors, paneled wainscoting, embossed lincrusta wall covering, brass hardware and nineteenth-century plumbing fixtures. Dr. Stephen T. Birdsall, who moved his family and medical practice from New York City to Glens Falls in 1883, commissioned the house and saw patients in an office there before the first community hospital opened in 1899. Although later divided into apartments, the house keeps a high degree of integrity and, with its original frame carriage barn, represents the prosperity and tastes of 1880s Glens Falls.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a notable, intact example of late nineteenth century Queen Anne residential design in Glens Falls. It was built for a prominent local physician and reflects the tastes of upper middle class families of the 1880s and 1890s. Despite conversion to multifamily use, it retains a high degree of original integrity, unlike many comparable large houses that were subdivided and altered.
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 84003245, listed September 29, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 186-192 Ridge St., Glens Falls |
|---|---|
| County | Warren County |
| Listed | September 29, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003245 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as fair; present use residential, divided into apartments. Porte-cochere removed and three small outbuildings demolished at unknown dates. |
| Acreage | 1.4 |
| Coordinates | 43.31742, -73.63133 (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 84003245.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7610637
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.