Royer-Nicodemus House and Farm
Also known as: Renfrew Museum and Park
Why it's listed
Along Antietam Creek in Waynesboro, the Royer-Nicodemus farm was settled around 1750, and a four-bay stone house was built there in 1812 by Daniel Royer, a farmer, miller and ironmaster who later served in the Pennsylvania Assembly. A two-bay addition followed around 1815 on the west gable end, matching the original materials and style. The interior retains most of its original woodwork, fireplaces and built-in cabinets, and the floor plan follows a center hall with double parlors. Outbuildings include a stone butcher and smokehouse, a stone and log spring house, and a family cemetery whose earliest marked grave dates to 1797. The house is regarded as a well-preserved example of early 19th-century vernacular building, with Federal-period detailing and Germanic influences in its fenestration and spring house. Later, Edgar A. Nicodemus acquired the farm, and his family was involved in cooperative cold storage that supported the local apple industry. The property was bequeathed to the Borough of Waynesboro in 1973 and is now a museum and park.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the property documents the growth and development of a Cumberland Valley streamside farm, with a farm site settled around 1750. The house is regarded as a well-preserved example of early 19th-century vernacular architecture showing Germanic and Federal-period influences. The Nicodemus family's role in apple-industry cold storage is also cited as important.
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 76001641, listed August 28, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1010 E. Main St., Waynesboro |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | August 28, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001641 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1750-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Daniel Royer (builder) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored 1974-75 and now used as a museum; agricultural land is still farmed. |
| Acreage | 99.6 |
| Coordinates | 39.74320, -77.56197 (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 76001641.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7375221
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.