Culbertson-Harbison Farm
Why it's listed
Built of coursed native limestone around 1798 to 1800, the two-story house sits on a high bluff in Greene Township, Franklin County, and faces southeast. Its interior woodwork, including mantelpieces with oval tablets, sunburst motifs and extensive reeding, is regarded as an example of the Federal style as interpreted in Pennsylvania country houses. Other features, such as the massive doors with long wrought iron strap hinges, look back to an earlier period. A 1798 tax assessment describes a stone house of 44 by 34 feet, noted as not yet finished, which supports the construction date. The farm was owned by the Culbertson family from its original patent until 1803, when it passed to Adam Harbison, whose family held it until 1886. A large frame bank barn with hexagonal ventilator cupolas stands southwest of the house and is said to be one of the largest barns in Franklin County.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its architecture, as an example of the Federal style in Pennsylvania country houses, seen especially in its interior woodwork with oval motifs and reeding. It also cites the farm's association with the Culbertson family, who were active in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, and the Harbison family, who owned the farm from 1803 to 1886.
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 80003499, listed June 27, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of Nyesville on Nyesville Rd., Nyesville |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | June 27, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003499 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1798-1800 |
| Architectural style | Federal style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | All of the buildings are described as in excellent condition with relatively few alterations. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 40.01741, -77.62855 (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 80003499.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5192860
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.