Stepping Stones (Wilson, Bill and Lois, House)
Why it's listed
Stepping Stones is a hillside property of about 6.5 acres in Katonah, New York, centered on a one-and-a-half-story Dutch Colonial Revival house built around 1920 as a summer residence. Bill and Lois Wilson bought it in 1941 and lived there until Lois died in 1988. Bill added a studio called Wit's End and a garage in the 1950s, and all six buildings share brown shingles, white trim and bright blue doors. The interior remains furnished as it was at Lois Wilson's death. The property is significant for the couple's work. Bill Wilson co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous, wrote its Big Book and helped spread the 12 Steps and the view of alcoholism as a disease. Lois Wilson founded Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen, and in 1951 the house served as the first headquarters of the Al-Anon clearing house. It is now maintained as a historic site by a foundation.
Significance in brief: The property was the home of Bill and Lois Wilson from 1941 until 1988. Bill Wilson co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous and wrote its Big Book and the 12 Steps. Lois Wilson founded Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen. The nomination argues the house is significant in Health/Medicine and Social History for these associations.
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 04000705, listed July 16, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 62 Oak Rd., Katonah |
|---|---|
| County | Westchester County |
| Listed | July 16, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000705 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1941-1988 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century Revivals: Dutch Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Health/Medicine, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated October 16, 2012 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Buildings and grounds are in very good repair and retain high integrity. The property is owned by the Stepping Stones Foundation, which maintains it as a historic site and museum. |
| Acreage | 6.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.24646, -73.70124 (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 04000705.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7611129
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.