Melville, Herman, House
Also known as: Arrowhead
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Why it's listed
Arrowhead is a farmhouse on Holmes Road in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, whose oldest section was built in the 1780s by Captain David Bush and is believed to have served as an inn. Herman Melville bought it in 1850 and lived there until 1863. During those years he completed Moby Dick, Pierre, Israel Potter, The Confidence Man and The Piazza Tales. Here he also developed his friendship with Nathaniel Hawthorne. The frame and clapboard house is five bays wide and has a massive central chimney. Melville built a narrow piazza on the north end, taking advantage of the view toward Mount Greylock; that piazza was later removed. Two rear ells and a barn that predates Melville's purchase complete the buildings. The property once covered about 160 acres and now includes 14.2 acres, later expanded by a north meadow that protects the Greylock view. The Berkshire County Historical Society acquired the house in 1975 as a museum and headquarters.
Significance in brief: Herman Melville lived here from 1850 to 1863, and the nomination identifies him as one of the major figures of 19th-century American literature. He completed Moby Dick, Pierre, Israel Potter, The Confidence Man and The Piazza Tales while in residence. The house and its view of Mount Greylock are tied to his work and to his friendship with Nathaniel Hawthorne.
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 66000126, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Holmes Rd., Pittsfield |
|---|---|
| County | Berkshire County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000126 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1780's; 1850-1863 |
| Architect / builder | Captain David Bush |
| Areas of significance | Literature |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 29, 1962 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Acquired by the Berkshire County Historical Society in February 1975 for use as its museum and headquarters; the house is described as in excellent condition and the outbuildings in good condition. |
| Acreage | 44.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.41721, -73.25072 (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 66000126.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q43664903
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.