Dusmal House
Why it's listed
Built in 1839 in Gastonville, Washington County, this three-bay, two-and-a-half-story side-hall house of random-coursed stone is a Post Colonial vernacular dwelling of Western Pennsylvania. The style lies between early log houses and the Greek Revival, and its builders borrowed freely from Georgian, Roman Classical and Adamesque forms, combining them in their own manner. A large chimney marks a back wing, probably a kitchen, and a second chimney stands at the far gable end. Stone lintels top the openings, and a circular stone block sits beneath the gable apex. Wide, unornamented eaves project boldly from the roof. A one-story recessed addition with a verandah was added later in the nineteenth century. The 2-over-2 windows are later 19th-century additions. The house is regarded as a unique variation of its type and among the most interesting architectural remains in its district, with value that is irreplaceable on a regional or national level.
Significance in brief: The nomination describes it as a fine example of the Post Colonial style of Western Pennsylvania, a vernacular tradition that falls between early log houses and the Greek Revival. Its builder combined Georgian, Roman Classical, Adamesque and Renaissance forms in an individual way. It is regarded as a unique variation of that regional type and one of the most interesting architectural remains in its district.
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 75001675, listed February 24, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E of Gastonville off Gilmore Rd., Gastonville |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Listed | February 24, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001675 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1839 |
| Architectural style | Post Colonial (Western Pennsylvania Post Colonial vernacular) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In good condition; altered; on its original site. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 40.25284, -79.96505 (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 75001675.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5316947
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.