Bernheim House
Why it's listed
Set on the brow of a hill in Cincinnati, this Colonial Revival house was built about 1912-1913 for Morris and Delia Bernheim, who moved from Louisville. The 2½-story brick main block, covered in white painted stucco, has a two-story portico with giant-order Tuscan columns and a Georgian Revival balustrade. Dentiled cornices, pilasters and a Palladian-arranged entrance add classical detail. An 1840s farmhouse was incorporated as the kitchen wing, and later additions include a 1967 library wing, a 1965 pool and a 1926 garage with apartment. The architect is unknown, though family legend names a Detroit designer. Morris Bernheim, an engineer and co-founder of the Alvey-Ferguson Company, later developed the Green Hills and Far Hills subdivisions around the property. The house is valued as a well-preserved example of its style, standing apart from its Tudor-eclectic neighbors, with a lawn and mature trees that give the columned facade a commanding setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a fine example of Colonial Revival style in the Cincinnati area. Its size, two-story portico, hilltop setting and well-articulated classical details set it apart from the ca. 1920s Tudor-eclectic neighbors. It is also tied to Morris Bernheim, who developed the surrounding Green Hills and Far Hills subdivisions.
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 83001977, listed March 29, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 195 Greenhills Rd., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | March 29, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001977 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1912-1913 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; described as in excellent condition, not greatly altered from its 1913 appearance, and well maintained. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 39.13214, -84.44287 (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 83001977.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4894261
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.