Bird Homestead
Also known as: Bouton-Bird-Erikson Homestead
Why it's listed
Set back from Milton Road in Rye, New York, the Bird Homestead is a small-farm complex of three buildings on just over an acre running down to the tidal Blind Brook. The main house was built in 1835 in the Greek Revival style and keeps its six-over-six windows, recessed entry with sidelights, corner pilasters and side-hall plan. A late 19th-century north wing, an 1885 timber-frame barn and a waterfront workshop raised on posts above the tide complete the property. The Bird family owned it from 1852 until 2009. Three family members became nationally prominent scientists: Henry Bird in entomology, Roland T. Bird in paleontology and Junius Bird in archeology, whose excavations in Chile and Peru were of international importance. Henry Bird's carved woodwork survives in the library and kitchen. Because the family held the site so long, the buildings retain a rare degree of integrity. The City of Rye purchased the homestead in 2009.
Significance in brief: The homestead is nominated under Criterion B for its long association with Henry Bird, Roland T. Bird and Junius Bird, three scientists who made nationally significant discoveries in entomology, paleontology and archeology. It is also significant under Criterion C as a very intact example of a Greek Revival house with its outbuildings, retaining nearly all of its historic fabric.
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 10000032, listed February 22, 2010. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 600 Milton Rd., Rye |
|---|---|
| County | Westchester County |
| Listed | February 22, 2010 |
| Reference number | 10000032 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1835-1982 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Science |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the Bird family from 1852 until 2009, when the City of Rye bought it. Maintenance was deferred for years: roofs are deteriorated and porches and outbuilding sag, but no defining features need replacement. |
| Acreage | 1.2 |
| Coordinates | 40.96160, -73.68879 (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 10000032.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4915861
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.