Work, Col. John, House
Why it's listed
This two and one half story limestone farmhouse in Montgomery Township, southeast of Mercersburg, represents the home of a prosperous late 18th century Pennsylvania farmer. It has a tin gable roof, interior stone chimneys at each end, and a one story rear kitchen. The south front is coursed dressed ashlar, while the other walls are coursed rubble. Stone relieving arches top the door and first floor windows. Andrew Work bought the land in 1752, and his son John is believed to have lived there in a log house in the 1760s. The present stone house was probably built around 1775, and it appears in the 1798 U.S. Direct Tax Report. Inside, little has changed. Oak and poplar floors, original fireplaces with stone arches, preserved mantels, built-in cupboards and a intact living room chimney breast survive. The surrounding land is also unchanged, and the only houses in sight are believed to date from the 18th century.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an excellent example of the typical home of a prosperous late 18th century central Pennsylvania farmer. It survives in basically unaltered condition, with original interior features such as built-in cupboards, paneling, hardware and woodwork. The surrounding land is also largely unchanged, which the form calls unusual today.
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 79002234, listed November 20, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SE of Mercersburg, Mercersburg |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | November 20, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79002234 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Architectural style | Typical stone Pennsylvania farmhouse of the second half of the eighteenth century |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Private residence; condition listed as good, altered; the front portico was removed several years before listing and the house has been restored to represent its 18th century period. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 39.79677, -77.94069 (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 79002234.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5141775
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.