Blossom, Barnabus, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1800 for Barnabus Blossom, this Federal-style house at 244 Grove Street in Fall River is a two-and-a-half-story frame dwelling with a side gable roof, a five-bay front, a central chimney and a center entrance. Its two pedimented doorways, original splayed lintels and six-over-six sash are among its notable features. Inside, beaded door moldings, simple mantels, a corner cupboard, a beehive oven and six-panel doors survive. A newly minted 1800 penny found in the walls during restoration helps confirm its age. The house originally stood at the northeast corner of Main and Franklin Streets and was moved between 1883 and 1886 to make way for the Hotel Mellen. An early occupant was Dr. James Aldrich, a botanic physician. Listed for its architecture and its link to Fall River's early settlement, it is one of the few buildings remaining from that period and has been sympathetically restored.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of Fall River's most outstanding and best-preserved early residences, with two pedimented doorways and a largely intact interior. It is a well-crafted, restored example of the Federal style and one of a handful of buildings left from the early settlement period. It is argued to meet Criteria A 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 83000627, listed February 16, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 244 Grove St., Fall River |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | February 16, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000627 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a multi-family residence; the form says the interior and exterior have been sympathetically restored. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.71534, -71.14908 (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 83000627.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4861342
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.