Draper, John W., House
Also known as: Draper Park
Why it's listed
This modest two-story frame cottage with an attic at 407 Broadway in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, was probably built around 1840 in the vernacular style of its period. It has flared eaves with brackets on the first story, vertical and horizontal boarding, and a small brick extension on the west side, all dating from the Draper period. The house is valued for the man who lived in it. John W. Draper, born in England in 1811, moved here in 1840 and stayed until his death in 1882. A professor at the University of the City of New York and a founder of its medical school, he improved the daguerreotype process and was the first to photograph the moon. He also wrote a leading physiology textbook and major works of intellectual history and Civil War history. An observatory once used by Draper and his son Henry no longer survives. The house has seen no significant alterations since Draper's granddaughter donated it to a preservation society.
Significance in brief: The house is significant for its association with John W. Draper, a 19th-century chemist, physiologist and historian who lived there from 1840 until his death in 1882. His photochemistry and spectrum research advanced science, and his historical writing applied scientific concepts to intellectual history. The house itself is described as having no particular architectural importance.
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 75001237, listed May 15, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 407 Broadway, Hastings-on-Hudson |
|---|---|
| County | Westchester County |
| Listed | May 15, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001237 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular frame cottage |
| Areas of significance | Science |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 15, 1975 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and unaltered, with exterior and interior integrity intact; occupied and owned by a private preservation society. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.99098, -73.87937 (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 75001237.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6264145
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.