Historical NYS Southern Tier Bement-Billings Farmstead Editorial Photo

The Bement-Billings House is a historic house located on NY 38 north of Newark Valley in Tioga County, New York.It is a 1 1⁄2-story, clapboard farmhouse on a random ashlar stone foundation, exhibiting characteristic features of the Federal and Greek Revival styles. The house began as a one-room cabin, built about 1796, and evolved during the 19th century into the extensive 15-room, 30-by-46-foot structure that exists today. The house underwent extensive renovation in 1977. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 19, 1990. The house is now the centerpiece of the Bement-Billings Farmstead Museum and is owned and operated by the Newark Valley Historical Society. The museum includes the mid-19th century period house, a reconstructed blacksmith shop, a threshing barn, wood shop, carriage shed, and welcome center. Open seasonally on weekends, tours and craft demonstrations are provided by costumed docents. Bement, Asa Architect. Built in 1810, the only living history museum in the Southern Tier. In 1792, Asa Bement, Jr., a 28-year old blacksmith and Revolutionary War veteran traveled from Stockbridge, Massachusetts to claim his new homestead along Owego Creek in Newark Valley. Over the years they enlarged the house, and building a sawmill, gristmill, and blacksmith shop. Asa Bement, his family and their farmstead would play a significant role in the history of Tioga County.