Dritt Mansion
Why it's listed
Built in 1758 in Wrightsville, York County, Pennsylvania, the Dritt House is a two-and-a-half story fieldstone farmhouse measuring 50 by 40 feet, with a cedar-shingle saddle roof. Hand-hewn logs support the first floor, and a brick partition forms the first-floor hallway walls. The house has nine-over-nine sash windows, six paneled doorways on the first floor, and a vaulted cold cellar. Its flooring is 5/4-inch Pennsylvania pine, and the door hardware includes pintle and gudgeon hinges. The house was built by an Englishman, but German craftsmen executed the work, and the design blends both traditions: the staircase reflects Germanic style, while the corner fireplaces are English. It was associated with General Jacob Dritt, a Major General of the 5th Division of the Pennsylvania Militia composed of York and Adams Counties. Its good preservation over roughly two centuries makes it a clear example of early Colonial housing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a fine example of early Colonial housing and has remained largely unchanged since construction. It combines English and German influences, with a Germanic staircase and English-style corner fireplaces. Its builder's association with General Jacob Dritt, a Major General of the 5th Division of the Pennsylvania Militia, adds to its historical importance.
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 77001206, listed August 16, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3.5 mi. S of Wrightsville on PA 624, Wrightsville |
|---|---|
| County | York County |
| Listed | August 16, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77001206 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as remaining virtually unchanged since construction; the porch is doubted to be original. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 39.97767, -76.49632 (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 77001206.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5307853
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.