Gray, Capt. Thomas, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1875 at the east end of Main Street in Hyannis, near the Yarmouth line, this clapboard house is a rare local example of the Stick Style. Its two stories rise to a hip roof with many cross gables, which enliven a basic T-shaped plan. Incised stick work fills the gables, and bold stylized pediments top many of the windows. A one-story porch with simple brackets and squared posts wraps around the front, meeting the arms of the T. The eastern arm has a two-story, three-sided bay ending in a conical cap. A large barn with a cupola still stands on the three-quarter-acre lot, adding to the property's completeness. The house is associated with Captain Thomas Gray, noted as a captain of steam ships. It was recognized under the architectural criterion because it keeps its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, and because few Stick Style buildings survive locally. It remains a dwelling in good condition with no major alterations.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a fine and locally rare example of the Stick Style that keeps its integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship. It also retains its carriage barn. It is also noted as the home of Captain Thomas Gray, a steamship captain.
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 87000280, listed March 13, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 14 Main St., Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | March 13, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000280 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Stick style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as good; present use is a dwelling; no major alterations; not moved. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 41.65708, -70.27180 (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 87000280.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5036477
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.