Hammersly-Strominger House
Why it's listed
Built in two phases on a farm in Lewisberry, the house begins with a two-and-one-half-story log section erected about 1790 by Robert Hammersly, who held the farm of roughly 150 acres. In 1835 Jacob and Rachael Strominger added a coursed rubble stone section abutting the log house, incorporating its large brick fireplace and chimney; a datestone in the eastern gable records the builder names and year. The log portion is regarded as a fine example of early Quaker building in the area, while the stone section reflects German building practice, so the pair shows two settler traditions side by side. Hammersly served as Justice of the Peace from 1785 until his death and was later a turnpike commissioner and innkeeper in York. A frame summer kitchen of about 1890 stands nearby. Originally a large barn and a stone smokehouse were also part of the site, but neither remains today.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the log house is a fine example of early Quaker architecture in the area, built by an early settler who held public offices. The joined stone addition, in a German style, shows the blending of two settler traditions in York County in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
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 78002487, listed December 20, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Lewisberry on PA 177, Lewisberry |
|---|---|
| County | York County |
| Listed | December 20, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002487 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1790-1835 |
| Architect / builder | Robert Hammersly (builder); Michael Strominger (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 40.14363, -76.85001 (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 78002487.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15222676
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.