Brownlee, Samuel, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1846 by Samuel T. Brownlee on the family farm in Eighty-Four, Washington County, Pennsylvania, this two and one-half story, five-bay brick house follows a late Georgian plan. Its common bond brick walls, twin gable chimneys and six-over-six windows reflect the Georgian form, while the Ionic verandah with its entablature and dentiled cornice brings in Greek Revival detailing. Brownlee reportedly adapted plans used for the Reed House on East Maiden Street in Washington, which was built in the 1820s. The front entrance has sidelights, a transom and fluted pilaster jambs, and the interior has a central hall and a cherry staircase. The verandah is regarded as well proportioned to the house. The house is valued for the harmony of its two styles and for its unusually well preserved condition among formal Georgian-Greek Revival houses in the county.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a well-executed transitional structure that blends Georgian massing and plan with Greek Revival details such as the Ionic verandah and dentiled cornice. It is described as one of the best preserved and well maintained formal Georgian-Greek Revival houses in Washington County, and its interior retains most of its original appointments.
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 76001678, listed November 7, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N of Eighty-Four on PA 519, Eighty-Four |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | November 7, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001678 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Samuel T. Brownlee |
| Architectural style | Late Georgian house form with Greek Revival verandah (Georgian-Greek Revival) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The description states the house is in excellent condition and contains most of its original appointments. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 40.20674, -80.12791 (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 76001678.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7411004
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.