Norwell Residence
Why it's listed
This is a two-and-a-half-story frame house at 506 Tusculum Avenue in Cincinnati's Columbia-Tusculum area, dated on the inventory to about 1890 and classified as Victorian. Its irregular plan sits on a fieldstone foundation beneath a shingled gable roof, on a steep hillside above an ashlar retaining wall that is described as deteriorating. The second story and gable end show various shingle patterns, while the first story and beveled bay are clapboard. In the crotch of the L-shaped plan are two porches: an entrance porch of four angles with a conical cap, frieze spindles and delicate bracing, and a smaller second-story porch with matching spindlework. Most windows are one-over-one, with leaded upper panes. The house was judged significant because it is totally unaltered and in remarkably good condition, and because it serves as a model for eight similar houses adjacent to it. Its style and scale also contributed to its recognition.
Significance in brief: The inventory states the house is totally unaltered and in remarkably good condition. It is considered significant as a model for the eight similar houses adjacent to it, and because of its style and scale. Its mixed wall treatment and decorative porch construction also distinguish it.
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 79002707, listed August 24, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 506 Tusculum Ave., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | August 24, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002707 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a residence in use, with exterior and interior condition marked good and described as totally unaltered; the retaining wall below it is described as deteriorating. |
| Coordinates | 39.11481, -84.43320 (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 79002707.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7061441
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.