Breyer, Henry W., Sr., House
Also known as: Haredith; Cheltenham Township Municipal Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1915 on a hilltop along Old York Road in Cheltenham Township, this large 2 1/2-story stone house was designed by the Philadelphia firm Koelle, Speth & Company in the Colonial Revival style. Its cut limestone walls, slate gable roof, and full-height Doric porch give it a formal presence, while its irregular plan, with wings and a porte cochere, departs from the usual symmetrical house of the period. Inside, marble, mahogany, and walnut appear throughout, along with Art Nouveau and Art Deco detailing. The house was built for Henry W. Breyer Sr., who headed the Breyer Ice Cream company founded by his father, William, in 1866. Breyer died in 1936, and the house was later sold to a congregation and then to Cheltenham Township, which has used it for municipal offices. Its architecture and its link to a prominent Philadelphia businessman are the basis for its listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an important local example of early 20th century residential architecture, with elaborate materials and interior Art Nouveau and Art Deco elements. It also argues the house is significant for its association with Henry W. Breyer Sr., head of the Breyer Ice Cream company, who built it.
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 04000065, listed February 20, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 8230 Old York Rd., Eilkins Park, Cheltenham |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Listed | February 20, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04000065 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1915-1936 |
| Architect / builder | Koelle, Speth & Company (architects) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now used as a municipal building by Cheltenham Township. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 40.08158, -75.12763 (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 04000065.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5730025
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.