Lutz, John F., Furniture Co. & Funerary
Also known as: Lutz, John F., Property
Why it's listed
Three buildings on a hillside lot at 3559 and 3561 St. Lawrence Avenue in the Borough of St. Lawrence, Berks County, record the growth of a family furniture and undertaking business. Mary Ann Lutz bought the lots in 1878, and her son John F. Lutz built a brick Italianate house with a shop there. He added a frame shop wing in 1885 and a brick furniture warehouse and showroom in 1900, which was enlarged in 1928 and 1955. A two-story Italianate carriage house dating from 1896 stands opposite the warehouse. The business, which sold furniture and handled funerals, grew to employ as many as 114 people between 1900 and 1930. The house retains its porch, window sash and interior layout largely intact, and the brick warehouse keeps its pilasters and arched openings. The complex is considered a clear example of a family commercial enterprise developed within a residential setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the property is significant for commerce and architecture under Criteria A and C. It documents the growth of the Lutz family furniture and funeral business from 1878 to 1945 and the buildings' changing commercial architecture. The brick warehouse and showroom are compared to turn-of-the-century factory buildings in Reading's outlet district.
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 96000085, listed February 16, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3559 & 3561 St. Lawrence Ave., St. Lawrence |
|---|---|
| County | Berks County |
| Listed | February 16, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000085 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1878-1945 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The furniture retail business closed in 1990 and the 1890 barn was razed in 1990; the funeral business moved to Mt. Penn by 1931, and the residence/shop continues in use, with the shop wing used as a picture framing shop. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.32595, -75.86391 (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 96000085.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6232434
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.