Hinckley, Nymphus, House
Why it's listed
Set on a residential street just west of Osterville's commercial center, this c1780 cottage at 38 Bay Street is a traditional Federal-style house. It has five bays, a center entry and chimney, a gable roof and 1 1/2 stories, with wood shingle walls. The paneled entry is topped by a multi-pane transom, and the 6/6 sash windows have simple, slightly projecting frames. The entry and facade windows sit directly beneath the eaves. An ell was added in 1970, and the property includes a barn about 100 years old. The house is associated with Nymphus Hinckley, a Revolutionary War veteran and descendant of Governor Hinckley, who was excommunicated from the Centerville Congregational Church after a dispute over money and property. Around 1895 it was home to Osmond F. Ames, a Civil War veteran. The property was listed for its architecture. The cottage and barn survive as a rare 19th-century setting in a village center that has been intensely developed.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a well-preserved Federal period cottage that retains a period barn. Its 19th-century character is unusual so close to Osterville center, which has been heavily developed in recent years. It was judged to meet criterion C.
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 87000250, listed March 13, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 38 Bay St., Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | March 13, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000250 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is a dwelling; condition is listed as excellent. An ell was added in 1970 and the building has not been moved. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.62890, -70.38782 (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 87000250.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7071209
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.