Connely-Holeman House
Why it's listed
Built between 1869 and 1871 on Chestnut Street in Pleasantville, this three-story house is a large Second Empire residence with a mansard roof, wrought iron cresting around the third level, and a stone foundation. Its east façade carries a walnut-paneled double door under a fanlight, tripartite bay window and porches on Corinthian columns. James L. Connely, a local banker and associate county judge, commissioned it during the oil boom that followed the 1865 discovery of oil nearby. The house is regarded as the only large-scale Second Empire residence in the borough. Its 1887 rear kitchen addition is the principal alteration, and the interior keeps original plaster, solid black walnut millwork and foliated ceiling medallions. Ashbel Holeman, a merchant who later owned it, rebuilt downtown after an 1872 fire. The house is also significant for its architecture, which the nomination describes as an outstanding example of the style in the region.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is the only large-scale Second Empire residence in Pleasantville and an outstanding example of the style, with its mansard roof, iron cresting, tall windows and porches. It is described as largely unaltered apart from an 1887 rear kitchen addition, and its interior retains original plaster, walnut millwork and ceiling medallions. Its construction is tied to the oil boom of the late 1860s.
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 07001080, listed October 11, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 317 Chestnut St., Pleasantville Borough |
|---|---|
| County | Venango County |
| Listed | October 11, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07001080 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1869-1887 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a primary residence since 1974 after a period of summer use; the second parlor is used as a home gym. |
| Acreage | 7 |
| Coordinates | 41.59484, -79.59681 (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 07001080.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5161759
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.