Reid, Whitelaw, 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
Set on one of the highest points in Greene County near Cedarville, this house began as an 1825 farmhouse built by the father of Whitelaw Reid, using oak, black walnut and poplar cut from the site. Reid later extended the wing, covered the roof and second story in red Akron tiles, filled the original framework with fireproof concrete blocks, and added piazzas and a porte-cochere. Inside, the entrance vestibule, hall-room and stairway are covered in fluted black walnut, with a ceiling of diagonal saw-toothed strips. Other rooms use cherry, sycamore, ash, walnut and curly maple. The house is significant chiefly as the birthplace and home of Reid, born there in 1837, who became editor of the New York Tribune, a vice-presidential candidate in 1892, Minister to France and Ambassador to Great Britain. The surrounding farm, on a narrow, tree-lined road, retains a 19th-century character.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant mainly as the birthplace and home of Whitelaw Reid, a journalist and statesman who was the 1892 vice-presidential candidate and Ambassador to Great Britain. It also has architectural interest as an example of changing taste in Reid's remodeling, with fine interior woodwork. The surrounding farm retains a 19th-century feeling.
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 73001448, listed May 7, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | SW of Cedarville at 2587 Conley Rd., Cedarville |
|---|---|
| County | Greene County |
| Listed | May 7, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001448 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Built by Reid's father; later alterations made by Whitelaw Reid himself |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne Cottage (remodeled 1825 farmhouse) |
| Areas of significance | Literature, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition, altered, on its original site, and in use as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 39.75163, -83.83581 (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 73001448.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7996133
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.