Glendower
Also known as: Glendower State Memorial; John Williams Home; General Durbin W
Why it's listed
Glendower is a brick mansion on Cincinnati Avenue in Lebanon, Ohio, built in 1836 for John Milton Williams, a young lawyer and Warren County prosecutor who later served in the Ohio General Assembly. Amos Bennett, who had studied early American builders' handbooks, was the builder. The house went up in two stages: a two-story central block, then lower flanking wings added shortly before the Civil War. Its low hipped roof, denticular cornice, corner pilasters, Ionic and Doric detailing, carved mantels and massive central stairway reflect the Greek Revival spirit. It was the first of five large houses on the hill south of town once called "Floraville," and one of three in the Greek Revival style. The Warren County Historical Society bought the property in 1944 and deeded it to the State of Ohio in 1945. In the late 1960s the exterior brick was sandblasted, the wood trim restored and the interior room arrangement returned to its original layout. It operates as a museum.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its architectural merit. It is one of five outstanding houses on the hill south of central Lebanon once known as "Floraville". It was the first of these mansions built and is one of three in the group in the Greek Revival style.
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 70000521, listed November 10, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | U.S. 42 (Cincinnati Ave.), Lebanon |
|---|---|
| County | Warren County |
| Listed | November 10, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000521 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1836) |
| Architect / builder | Builder Amos Bennett; built for John Milton Williams |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored in the late 1960s by the Ohio Historical Society to its original appearance and furnished with period pieces; condition listed as excellent and operated as a state memorial museum. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Within district | Floraville Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.43005, -84.21048 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 70000521.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14716424
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.