Sherman, Eber, Farm
Also known as: Sherman-Carpenter Farm
Why it's listed
Built in 1843 by Eber Sherman, this farmhouse sits on 7.8 acres at the western edge of North Adams, on land that was part of Williamstown until 1900. It is a 2½-story, five-bay, center-entry house with a gable roof and two interior chimneys. Greek Revival features include pilaster cornerboards, a wide frieze and a trabeated entrance, while heavy Italianate brackets and an octagonal-columned portico give it a distinctive local character shared with three other mid-19th-century houses in the city. The farm once covered over 310 acres and was known as a prosperous dairy and sheep operation producing wool, cheese and milk. After an economic depression in the early 1870s, it declined and was foreclosed in 1907. The house remains largely unaltered on its stone foundation. A stone cheese cellar, three barn foundations and a 1920 milk house survive on the grounds, which may also hold archaeological remains.
Significance in brief: The farmhouse is one of four transitional Greek Revival/Italianate houses in North Adams that combine heavy brackets, a wide frieze and a porticoed entry in a distinctly local form. It is also associated with the Sherman family, prominent 19th century dairy farmers. The form states it meets 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 83003929, listed October 6, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1010 State Rd., North Adams |
|---|---|
| County | Berkshire County |
| Listed | October 6, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003929 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1843 |
| Architect / builder | Eber Sherman |
| Architectural style | Transitional Greek Revival/Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and occupied as a private residence; a 1920 concrete milk house has served as a guest house since the 1960s. |
| Acreage | 7.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.69910, -73.17043 (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 83003929.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5331769
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.