Kirkwood, Joseph, House
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built in 1846 by Joseph Kirkwood, this two-story brick house on Bennett Street in Bridgeport, Ohio, is a vernacular I-house with Greek Revival detailing. A large ell was added in 1853. The five-bay symmetrical facade has a recessed central entrance with sidelights and a transom, a wooden cornice with partial gable returns, stone lintels and lug sills, and venetian shutters. Inside, Greek Revival fireplaces, key-motif door and window trim, and a mahogany circular handrail survive. Two brick dependencies from the same period, including a combined smokehouse and servants' quarters, stand to the south. Joseph was the son of Robert Kirkwood, a Revolutionary War veteran who became one of the earliest settlers in the area, and he platted the village of Kirkwood in 1834. The house is the only remaining structure tied to the family. It was recognized for this local association and as a well-preserved, little-altered example of mid-nineteenth-century brick architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is the only remaining structure associated with the Kirkwood family, early settlers of eastern Ohio, and with Joseph Kirkwood, who platted the village of Kirkwood in 1834. It is also presented as an intact, well-preserved example of a vernacular I-house with Greek Revival details, complete with outbuildings.
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 86000239, listed February 13, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 329 Bennett St., Bridgeport |
|---|---|
| County | Belmont County |
| Listed | February 13, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86000239 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1846 (specific date given; the 1800-1899 period is checked) |
| Architect / builder | Builder/architect unknown; built by Joseph Kirkwood |
| Architectural style | Vernacular I-house with Greek Revival details |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as housing for mentally retarded residents; integrity described as very good, with a ca. 1930 second-floor frame addition and replaced window sash. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.06892, -80.74393 (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 86000239.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6284622
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.