Weeks, Barzillai, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1799 on the crown of Scorton Hill in West Barnstable, this Federal period Cape cottage stands at 313 High Street, along a route once known as the Post Road and used by stagecoaches and travelers. The house has five bays, a 1 1/2-story height, wood shingle siding, a low stone foundation, a gable roof and a large central chimney. Its symmetrical facade centers on an entry with a five-pane transom, and the windows hold 12/12 sash. A one-story rear ell and an old barn complete the property. Barzillai Weeks, born in 1769, and his family owned the 35-acre tract from 1795 until 1956. The land is believed to have earlier belonged to the family of Captain John "Mad Jack" Percival, who was born there. The house is valued for its long family association, its tie to local farming history and its well-preserved architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for 150 years of ownership by a well-known local family (1795-1956) and for its link to West Barnstable's agricultural history. It is also described as a fine, well-preserved Federal period Cape cottage that retains its barn. It is argued to meet criteria A, B and 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 87000241, listed March 13, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 313 High St., Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | March 13, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000241 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is stated as excellent, with no major alterations and not moved; the house is currently used as a dwelling. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Coordinates | 41.72081, -70.39929 (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 87000241.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4866095
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.