Priestley, Joseph, House
Why it's listed
Built circa 1794 on a rise above the North Branch of the Susquehanna River at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, this two-and-a-half story frame house with white clapboards and a slate roof was the home of chemist Joseph Priestley from 1794 until his death in 1804. The center section measures 48 by 43 feet, with one-story wings on the north and south sides; one wing housed Priestley's laboratory. Priestley had emigrated after his liberal religious and political views provoked a mob attack on his Birmingham home in 1791. In Pennsylvania he continued his experiments, and his work on pneumatic chemistry, which included the discovery of oxygen and carbon monoxide, made him one of the leading scientists of his era. The house has been restored and is maintained as a museum, with rooms furnished for the 1794-1804 period and some of Priestley's scientific apparatus displayed in the laboratory and library.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant as the home of Joseph Priestley, whose work in pneumatic chemistry led to the discovery of oxygen and other gas research, and where he lived and worked from 1794 until his death in 1804. It also notes his emigration to America as reflecting the young nation's democratic spirit and its contribution to his scientific work.
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 66000673, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Priestley Ave., Northumberland |
|---|---|
| County | Northumberland County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000673 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1794-1804 |
| Areas of significance | Science |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 12, 1965 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and maintained as a museum; the form marks it as altered. |
| Acreage | 1.1 |
| Within district | Northumberland Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.89041, -76.78968 (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 66000673.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3185521
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.