Copland, Aaron, House
Also known as: Rock Hill; Copeland House
Why it's listed
Set on a rock ledge in Cortlandt Manor, this one-story, L-shaped frame house was built in the mid-1940s and later became the home of composer Aaron Copland. He bought the property, known as Rock Hill, in 1960 and lived and worked there until his death in 1990. The house has a stone foundation, green-painted clapboard walls, vaulted asphalt roofs and many large picture windows that connect the rooms to the surrounding woodland. Inside are six main rooms, including a glass-walled studio with his grand piano and desk. A detached garage with an apartment Copland added sits nearby. The grounds cover 2.5 acres of terraced gardens. The property was listed for its association with Copland, whose works include Appalachian Spring, Rodeo and Fanfare for the Common Man. Little has been altered since his time, and the house now serves as a retreat where selected composers stay and work, and as a center for American music.
Significance in brief: It was the home, studio and base of operations of composer Aaron Copland from 1960 until his death in 1990, and is nationally significant for its association with him. The house remains almost completely intact from his residency. It is now a composers' retreat and creative center for American music.
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 03000245, listed September 19, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1538 Washington St., Cortlandt Manor |
|---|---|
| County | Westchester County |
| Listed | September 19, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000245 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1960-90 |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement: Wrightian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated October 6, 2008 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a composers' retreat and music facility (Copland House); described as almost completely intact from Copland's residency, with interior restored. |
| Acreage | 2.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.24026, -73.90281 (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 03000245.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2613021
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.