Lehman, Abraham, Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Built around 1853, this brick farmhouse at 40 Lehman Drive in Canal Winchester is a Classical I-House: two stories, five bays wide and one room deep, with a gable-roofed ell that gives it an L-shaped plan. Cornice returns, a transom and sidelights at the central entry show Greek Revival influence. Inside, the two-over-two room plan, central staircase, wood floors and trim survive. Abraham L. Lehman arrived in 1842 and built up one of the largest and most valuable farms in the township, with mixed grain and livestock and notable barley production. The family helped found the local Mennonite congregation, and Lehman helped found the Winchester Milling Company. The Lehmans owned the farm until 1957. The house is notable for its size and its ell, which is unique among the I-Houses surveyed in the town. Window replacement, cleaning of the brick and a 1977 fire altered some features, but the original form and plan remain intact.
Significance in brief: The farmhouse is significant for its link to the agricultural history of Madison Township as a prosperous farm owned by the Lehman family from 1842 to 1957. It is also significant as a vernacular Canal Era I-House with Greek Revival details. Its large gabled ell is the only one of its kind identified in the community survey.
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 89001016, listed August 15, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 40 Lehman Dr., Canal Winchester |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | August 15, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001016 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1853-1902 |
| Architectural style | Other: Classical I-House |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single-family dwelling. Windows were replaced in 1986, the masonry was abrasively cleaned and repointed, and a 1977 fire destroyed the interior features of the ell. |
| Acreage | 1.1 |
| Coordinates | 39.84941, -82.81307 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 89001016.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137806755
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.