Lacey, Gen. John, Homestead
Why it's listed
Built in several stages on a Bucks County farm in Buckingham Township, the stone house began in 1755 when John Lacey, father of the future general, completed the oldest section just before his son was born. The younger Lacey grew up there and worked in the family grist and saw mill nearby, which had operated since about 1743. The house grew through later additions, including a second section with coursed fieldstone and a keystone lintel, and a third section built to enlarge the parlor and bedroom above it. Its interior retains a bake oven, a winding staircase and fireplaces in the older sections. The house is significant chiefly for its link to General John Lacey, who raised a Bucks County militia company in 1776, served under Anthony Wayne, and commanded troops at Crooked Billet during the winter of 1777-78, guarding the army at Valley Forge. Lacey sold the property in 1778 to avoid its destruction by British forces.
Significance in brief: The nomination rests its case mainly on the house's association with General John Lacey, a Revolutionary War officer who was born there and who commanded American troops at Crooked Billet in the winter of 1777-78 protecting Valley Forge. The house is also presented as an excellent example of an 18th century Bucks County farmhouse that grew over time without losing its historic character.
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 80003448, listed December 2, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Forest Grove Rd., Buckingham Township, Wycombe |
|---|---|
| County | Bucks County |
| Listed | December 2, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003448 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | John Lacey - Builder |
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The document describes the house as altered and notes recent changes including an enclosed rear porch and a small frame addition on the west end. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Within district | Wycombe Village Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.28268, -75.02032 (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 80003448.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5530809
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.