Simond, Col. Benjamin, House
Also known as: River Bend Farm
Why it's listed
Built around 1770 on the north side of the Hoosic River, this Georgian farmhouse in Williamstown, Massachusetts, is a five-bay, central-chimney, timber-frame dwelling with clapboard siding and a rear ell. Inside, early cupboards, wainscoting, raised panelling and a kitchen fireplace with a beehive oven survive. A late 19th century barn and milk house stand nearby. The house was built for Colonel Benjamin Simond, born in 1726, who was captured at Fort Massachusetts in 1746 and later settled in the area. He helped incorporate Williamstown in 1765, built the block house in 1754, helped plan the first church, and oversaw construction of West College at Williams College in 1790. He commanded the Second Berkshire County Regiment at Bennington, White Plains and Stone Arabia. The house is one of three intact mid-18th century farmhouses in town, and the surrounding land may hold historic and prehistoric archaeological remains.
Significance in brief: The house is a fine example of rural New England Georgian architecture and one of three intact mid-18th century farmhouses remaining in Williamstown. It is also tied to Colonel Benjamin Simond, a leader in the town's early settlement who commanded a regiment at the Battle of Bennington and fought at White Plains. The land may also hold archaeological deposits, both historic and prehistoric.
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 83000570, listed September 1, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 643 Simonds Rd., Williamstown |
|---|---|
| County | Berkshire County |
| Listed | September 1, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000570 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1770 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Military, Exploration/Settlement, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition, occupied and used as a private residence; the form notes some alterations to the main entry and the slate roof covering. |
| Acreage | 1.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.72982, -73.20520 (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 83000570.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5141755
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.