Quay, Matthew S., House
Why it's listed
Built shortly after the Civil War, this two-and-a-half-story yellow brick house in Beaver has a sandstone foundation, a wide front porch on brick columns, and hipped dormers. Matthew Stanley Quay bought the house sometime after 1874 and lived there until his death in 1904. Quay was a Pennsylvania Republican leader who served as secretary of the Commonwealth, as a United States senator, and as Republican National Chairman. He managed Benjamin Harrison's 1888 presidential campaign, which was notable for its heavy involvement of business interests and its high spending. The house's office wing, with a fireplace bearing a Pennsylvania keystone, reflects his professional life. The property is significant for its connection to Quay's political career and the late 19th-century machine politics he represented. Its exterior and first-floor office remain largely intact.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its association with Matthew Stanley Quay, described as one of the most representative and effective professional politicians of the late 19th century. It links the house to his role in the Pennsylvania Republican machine, his part in the 1888 Harrison presidential campaign, and his national influence. The house is also noted as his residence from after 1874 until his death in 1904.
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 75001615, listed May 15, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 205 College Ave., Beaver |
|---|---|
| County | Beaver County |
| Listed | May 15, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001615 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | circa 1874-1904 |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 15, 1975 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The first floor now serves as a funeral home and the second floor is an apartment; the house is in good condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Beaver Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.69368, -80.30379 (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 75001615.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6791189
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.