Brotherton Farm
Why it's listed
Built of native limestone in the first quarter of the 19th century, most probably between 1810 and 1825, this two-story farmhouse near Chambersburg is a rare example of refined Federal style design in a rural Pennsylvania setting. Its front facade has finely chiseled stone set with narrow mortar joints, while the side and rear walls use hammer-faced coursed stone. The entrance has an elaborate semi-circular fanlight, and the house holds eight fireplaces, each with a different mantel. Its mixed hipped and gable roof on an L-shaped plan is uncommon among southern Pennsylvania farmhouses. The property is also tied to local milling and farming, including a straw board mill that was sold separately in the late 19th century. A stone spring house, a frame wash house and a late 19th-century bank barn stand on the 7.86-acre tract.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an unusually refined dwelling for a Pennsylvania farmhouse, with Federal style woodwork and fireplace treatments, and precision chiseled masonry on the principal facade. It also describes an unusual combination of hipped and gable roofs on an L-shaped plan. Secondary significance is tied to the farm's association with milling, agriculture and commerce, including a straw board mill.
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 79002227, listed March 30, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SW of Chambersburg on Falling Spring Rd., Chambersburg |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | March 30, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002227 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1820 |
| Architectural style | Federal; Greek Revival front porch |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The buildings are described as being in excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 7.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.91240, -77.61609 (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 79002227.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4975733
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.