Ames, Josiah A., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1887 at 145 Bridge Street in the Osterville area of Barnstable, this shingled seaside cottage reflects the asymmetry of the Queen Anne style in a modest, vernacular form. It rests on a square plan, made more complex by intersecting gabled rooflines. Decoration is almost absent and the window placement is irregular, though narrow segmental arched windows appear in the gables. The only major alteration noted is the addition of a front porch. Josiah A. Ames (1827-1900) built the house after returning from the western gold rush; he had served in the Civil War with the 40th Infantry. From 1902 to 1922 the Lincoln House Association of Boston used it as a lodge. That group belonged to the "fresh air" movement, and its members stayed at the cottages for two weeks each summer. The house was listed for this association with a veteran and a summer-visitor movement, and for its well-preserved late 19th century design.
Significance in brief: The house is considered significant for its association with Josiah A. Ames, a Civil War veteran, and later with the Lincoln House Association's "fresh air" movement. It is also valued as a well-preserved example of late 19th century seaside architecture. The reviewer called it a locally important vernacular Queen Anne seaside cottage.
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 87000300, listed September 18, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 145 Bridge St., Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | September 18, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000300 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Built by Josiah A. Ames (architect unknown) |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne (vernacular seaside cottage) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition good; used as a dwelling; front porch added; not moved. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 41.62232, -70.39572 (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 87000300.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6290404
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.