Mead-Zimmerman House
Why it's listed
This two-story brick farmhouse stands on SR 13 south of US 224, east of Greenwich in Huron County, Ohio. Built around 1848 by farmer Cyrus Mead, it rests on a stone foundation and has a rectangular plan. A segmental-arched brick arcade divides the facade into five bays, with a wider center bay holding the entrance, sidelights and transom. Above a plain architrave runs a Greek Doric frieze with triglyphs and metopes, repeated at the rear and on the kitchen porch. A 1-1/2 story kitchen wing at the south end appears to be original and holds an eight-foot fireplace with dutch ovens. Inside, four fireplaces have Greek Revival mantels and woodwork said to be copied from Asher Benjamin's Practical House Carpenter. The house was listed because its heavy, arcaded facade and eclectic borrowing from builders' guides show the spirit and originality of rural Ohio builders. It remains relatively unspoiled and is in excellent condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a unique and relatively unspoiled Ohio farmhouse. Its bold arcaded facade and unrefined mix of Greek Revival and other revival details show a spirited, unorthodox borrowing from builders' guides. It illustrates the originality of rural Ohio builders.
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 78002089, listed March 30, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E of Greenwich on OH 13, Greenwich |
|---|---|
| County | Huron County |
| Listed | March 30, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002089 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Cyrus Mead (builder, per original deed) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival elements, described as an eclectic, unrefined use of mid-19th century revival details |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent; occupied as a private residence, with a barn and two 1950s outbuildings on the property. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.01548, -82.48552 (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 78002089.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138373545
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.