Cranford-Wannamaker House
Why it's listed
Built in 1891 at 1019 W. Trinity Avenue in Durham, this two-story, five-bay shingle style frame cottage was constructed by T. S. Christian. Its most distinctive feature is the shingle work on the second story, which varies in size and shape to create a wave-like effect across the walls. Horizontal German siding covers the first floor, and curving sticks decorate the cross-gable pediment ends. The house was first topped with an onion-shaped dome, later replaced by a flat roof with crenellation. Professor William I. Cranford likely lived here first, and it became the home of William H. Wannamaker, who joined the Trinity College faculty in 1905 and later served as Dean of the College. He was active in the administration of the school as it became Duke University in 1924, and he was chairman of the Durham City Board of Education from 1925 to 1947.
Significance in brief: The house is associated with educators at Trinity College, most notably William H. Wannamaker, who lived there and later became Dean of the College and Dean of Duke University. The nomination describes its elaborate shingle work and German siding as the most elaborate among the Faculty Houses, making it notable for architecture as well as its connection to the college's faculty.
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 79003331, listed November 29, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1019 W. Trinity Ave., Durham |
|---|---|
| County | Durham County |
| Listed | November 29, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003331 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | T. S. Christian (builder) |
| Architectural style | Shingle style |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Altered; moved, with a sun room addition at the rear and a partially rebuilt chimney. Currently owned and occupied. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 36.00621, -78.91017 (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 79003331.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19461196
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.