Pitman, Ben, House
Why it's listed
Perched on Columbia Parkway in Cincinnati, this Victorian house of frame and stone was the home of Benn Pitman, who taught woodcarving at the Art Academy of Cincinnati from 1873 to 1892. The exterior is described as a rococo patchwork of carved stone and wood, but the interior is even more ornate. Pitman made only one of the great mantels himself. The doors, panels, wainscoting and exposed ceiling beams were carved by hand over many years by several hundred academy students under his supervision. Pitman's wife and her twin sister, Elizabeth Nourse, who also taught at the art school, contributed carvings of local flowers, leaves and birds. Stained-glass windows, beaten silver inlays and a front door on silver hinges in a Romanesque entranceway add to the decoration. The house was entered on the register in 1969 for its art and architecture, with urgency because planned highway work threatened access to it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its elaborate hand-carved woodwork and ornament, which reflect the skill and imagination of its original owner, Benn Pitman. Pitman taught woodcarving at the Art Academy of Cincinnati from 1873 to 1892, and the interior is described as a work of art. The listing was also urgent because planned Columbia Parkway highway work threatened access to the site.
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 69000144, listed July 7, 1969. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1852 Columbia Pkwy., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | July 7, 1969 |
| Reference number | 69000144 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1885-1905 (carving of woodwork, gables, etc.); 19th century checked |
| Architect / builder | Benn Pitman (original owner who supervised the carving); woodcarving by students of the Art Academy of Cincinnati, his wife and her sister Elizabeth Nourse |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, a private residence, in good condition; the form notes Columbia Parkway was due to become a limited-access highway that could leave the site inaccessible. |
| Coordinates | 39.12089, -84.48127 (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 69000144.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4886296
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.