Fulton, Robert, Birthplace
Why it's listed
Built before 1756 as a stone farmhouse near Quarryville in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the house was destroyed by fire in 1822 and rebuilt from its rubble. It remained a private residence for about 147 years, gaining frame additions that were later removed. In 1969 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania acquired the property and restored it to its appearance around 1765, leaving the stone unpainted and retaining modern lighting and heating. Robert Fulton was born here on November 14, 1765, and his family moved to Lancaster within a year. The house is associated with Fulton's career as an artist, canal engineer and inventor, best remembered for the Clermont, which made its first trip on the Hudson River in August 1807. Fulton also developed a submarine, the Nautilus, in France in 1800. The property is listed for its connection to his life and work in science and transportation.
Significance in brief: The house is the birthplace of Robert Fulton (1765-1815), who is described as an artist, civil engineer and inventor. The nomination credits him with designing the Clermont, the first commercially successful American steamboat, and with inventions including a dredging machine, a double-inclined plane for canals, torpedoes and diving boats.
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 66000670, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 8 mi. S of Quarryville on U.S. 222, Quarryville |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000670 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1765-1815 |
| Areas of significance | Art, Transportation, Invention |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 29, 1964 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1969 to a 1765 appearance and owned and maintained by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 39.80535, -76.15928 (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 66000670.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7344578
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.