Pont Reading
Why it's listed
Pont Reading in Ardmore, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, began in 1683 as a log cabin built by Daniel Humphreys, a Welsh settler who had bought several thousand acres and started a milling business there. The house grew over the following century into a three-part complex: a stuccoed stone main block dating from before 1730, a rear section built before the American Revolution that served as a winter kitchen, and an 1813 addition with a pediment, a Doric-columned portico and interior woodwork of curly maple. Joshua Humphreys, a master shipbuilder, lived there from 1803 to 1838 and made exterior changes to formalize its appearance. He designed and built frigates for the young United States Navy, including the Constitution. The house is also known for its family connections to Samuel Humphreys, Naval Constructor-in-Chief, and to Andrew Atkinson Humphreys, a Civil War general and later Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army. Its furnishings, prints of ships, and original 18th-century pieces add to its interest.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its association with Daniel Humphreys' family and especially with Joshua Humphreys, a master shipbuilder who designed and built frigates for the early U.S. Navy, including the Constitution. It also cites Samuel Humphreys as Naval Constructor-in-Chief and Andrew Atkinson Humphreys as a Civil War commander and Chief of Engineers. The architectural evolution across three centuries and its furnishings and ship prints are also presented as significant.
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 72001116, listed October 26, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2713 Haverford Rd., Ardmore |
|---|---|
| County | Delaware County |
| Listed | October 26, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001116 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 17th Century, 18th Century, 19th Century |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Original site retained; the house is in excellent condition and was unaltered except for later changes noted in the description. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 39.99659, -75.30251 (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 72001116.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7228010
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.