Denison, William, House
Why it's listed
William Denison built this 2 1/2 story brick house in 1841 near Adamsville, Muskingum County, Ohio. It is an L-shaped, central-hallway I-house with a symmetrical five-bay facade, a sandstone foundation and a slate gabled roof. Greek Revival details include a doorway with transom and sidelights flanked by fluted pilasters, and the main block is laid in Flemish bond, described as extremely rare for this part of Ohio in the 1840s. A long two-story ell was probably enlarged from a smaller kitchen wing, possibly for the family Denison raised late in life. The interior has been damaged by tenant occupancy and vandalism, though much simple ornament survives. A small brick smokehouse and a large braced-frame bank barn remain on the grounds. The house was the first brick dwelling in Salem Township and the finest in the township when built. Denison later pledged $10,000 to Granville College on condition that it carry his name, which became Denison University.
Significance in brief: It is nominated for its architecture, which combines an I-house plan with Greek Revival ornament, and as the first brick house built in Salem Township. It is also tied to its builder, William Denison, the benefactor for whom Denison University in Granville was named.
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 82003620, listed April 29, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7115 Adamsville Rd. (OH 93), Adamsville |
|---|---|
| County | Muskingum County |
| Listed | April 29, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003620 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied private residence; condition fair, with the interior damaged by tenant occupancy and vandalism. |
| Acreage | 6.5 |
| Within district | Muskingum River Navigation Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.05224, -81.89296 (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 82003620.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q138639809
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.