Richards-Sewall House
Why it's listed
Built in 1853 for Amos Richards, a founding Swedenborgian and incorporator of Urbana University, this two-story frame house on College Street in Urbana, Ohio, began as a Gothic Revival dwelling with a gabled front, decorative brackets and flattened Tudor-arched windows. Around 1880 it was remodeled with Stick and Queen Anne features, including an oriel window, patterned shingles, half-timbering and a winged gable addition. Inside are parquet floors of walnut, oak and maple, a walnut staircase, jeweled stained glass, tiled fireplaces and brass hardware. Reverend Frank Sewall lived here from 1874 to 1886 while serving as president of Urbana University and pastor of the local New Church. He was an author of hymnals and prayer books. Later the house was a rental, a girls' dormitory for the university from 1904 to 1907, and a private residence. A circa 1917 Arts and Crafts porch and a circa 1925 garage were added later.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to higher education and the Swedenborgian movement in Urbana through its long association with Urbana University, the nation's only Swedenborgian college. It is also linked to Reverend Frank Sewall, a author-theologian who served as university president and New Church pastor and lived there from 1874 to 1886. Its exceptional interior woodwork and mix of Gothic Revival and Stick/Queen Anne details add to its value.
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 95000937, listed August 14, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 222 College St., Urbana |
|---|---|
| County | Champaign County |
| Listed | August 14, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000937 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1853 - 1886 |
| Architect / builder | Amos Richards? |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century: Gothic Revival; Late 19th Century: Stick/Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Religion, Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as extremely well maintained and still used as a single-family dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.10378, -83.75573 (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 95000937.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7330273
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.