Shepard, Thomas, House
Also known as: Hartwell-Lee Farm
Why it's listed
Built in 1798 on East Hill Road in New Marlborough, this timber-frame farmhouse rises two and a half stories beneath a hip roof with two off-set chimneys. Its five-bay south facade features a Georgian entry beneath a modified Palladian window, with sidelights and a dentilled entablature. Builder John Collar, the best-known carpenter in the area during the late 1700s, is credited with the design. Thomas Shepard, who bought the land in 1768, lived here until 1809, when he sold to Elder Jesse Hartwell. The Shepard and Hartwell families helped establish the town's first Baptist congregation, and meetings may have been held in the large upper hall before a church was built in 1847. Later alterations in 1837 and 1934 were removed in a recent rehabilitation that restored the hipped roof, entry, Palladian window and 12/12 sash. The surrounding land holds a historic well, a family burial plot and possible archaeological remains.
Significance in brief: The house is an excellent example of a late 18th-century farmhouse with sophisticated Georgian detail, built by prominent local builder John Collar. It is associated with the Shepard and Hartwell families, who helped found New Marlborough's first Baptist congregation. It may also hold archaeological information in its well, foundation and farm landscape.
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 84002085, listed May 31, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | East Hill Rd., New Marlborough |
|---|---|
| County | Berkshire County |
| Listed | May 31, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002085 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 (Federal period; specific date 1798) |
| Architect / builder | Captain John Collar |
| Architectural style | Georgian (late 18th century farmhouse, Federal period) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence and agricultural property; recently completed a certified rehabilitation restoring its Federal period appearance. |
| Acreage | 13.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.08994, -73.20056 (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 84002085.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7793925
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.