Priestley, Dr. Joseph, House
Also known as: Cross Keys Inn; Priestley-Forsyth Memorial Library
Why it's listed
Built in stages beginning around 1810 to 1820, this brick building in Northumberland combines Federal design with later Italianate and Victorian details. Its walls are twelve-inch solid brick on a stone foundation, and it has eight fireplaces, a wooden arch in the main first-floor room, etched glass in the foyer and a large Palladium window. From about 1810 to 1864 it operated as a tavern called the Cross Keys Inn, on the Danville highway near the river and the railroad, serving stagecoach passengers, drivers and local residents. Dr. Joseph Priestley, a physician who practiced in Northumberland for about forty years, bought the property in 1864 and remodeled it as his home and medical office. His family kept it until 1926, when it was presented to the town as a library in memory of the Priestley family. The nomination regards its architecture and its long connection to travel, medicine and civic life as the main reasons for its importance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its architecture, including its Federal design, Italianate brackets, Palladium window and Victorian detailing, and for its role as a tavern serving travelers and the community from about 1810 to 1864. It also cites the association with several local owners, including Dr. Joseph Priestley, a physician and civic figure, and the building's later use as a library.
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 81000554, listed September 11, 1981. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 100 King St., Northumberland |
|---|---|
| County | Northumberland County |
| Listed | September 11, 1981 |
| Reference number | 81000554 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The building was given to the people of Northumberland in 1926 for use as a library; the document describes it as generally very well preserved. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Within district | Northumberland Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.88907, -76.79323 (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 81000554.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3402881
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.