Jenkins Homestead
Why it's listed
Built in the early nineteenth century, probably shortly after John Jenkins III received the property from his father in 1805, the stucco-over-stone farmhouse stands in Lansdale, Montgomery County. It is two and a half stories tall, with five bays on the south front, a one-story porch spanning two front entrances, and large internal stone chimneys at both gable ends. Its regular Georgian plan and central hallway reflect English vernacular farmhouse traditions. The double doors on the south facade are regarded as a rural adaptation of a high-styled prototype. The homestead is also the oldest structure in the original borough of Lansdale. The Jenkin family settled the area in 1746, when Jenkin Jenkin bought land from Wales-born origins in the Montgomery-Gwynedd area. The house retains most of its original character and fabric. Interior fireplaces have been closed in, and restoration is planned.
Significance in brief: The nomination describes it as the oldest structure in the original borough of Lansdale and as a fine example of an English vernacular farmstead with a regular Georgian plan. It also cites the double front doors as a rural adaptation of a high-styled prototype, and states that it retains most of its original character and fabric as an example of the rural Pennsylvania farm dwelling.
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 77001176, listed September 15, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 137 Jenkins Ave., Lansdale |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Listed | September 15, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001176 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | early 19th century |
| Architect / builder | John Jenkins III (builder) |
| Architectural style | English Vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The interior has been greatly altered, with fireplaces closed in and used as closets; there are plans to restore much of the residence. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 40.23828, -75.28188 (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 77001176.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6177602
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.