Brown House
Why it's listed
Brown House, at 384 Tremont Street in Rehoboth, looks like a late 19th century vernacular home with Italianate details, but its history is older. A 1906 manuscript says Charles Wheaton built it in 1706 as a west-facing lean-to and ran a tavern there for travelers on the Old Coach Road. In the 1870s it was rebuilt or improved as a Victorian house on the original post and beam frame, and Robert Brown, a jeweler, bought it in 1874. Clues to the earlier building survive on the second story, including corner posts, a chamfered summer beam, a Georgian door surround and a panelled chimney breast. The house is one of two early 18th century structures marking settlement in northern Rehoboth before 1750. Its remodelling also reflects the street car line along Tremont Street, which brought early suburbanization. It was listed for its architectural value.
Significance in brief: The house is one of two early 18th century structures in northern Rehoboth, testifying to settlement there before 1750. Its reputed tavern use links it to an early transportation route along Tremont Street. Its 1870s remodelling reflects the street car line and early suburbanization, and it illustrates architectural evolution over about 200 years.
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 83000639, listed June 6, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 384 Tremont St., Rehoboth |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | June 6, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000639 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; probably built by Charles Wheaton |
| Architectural style | Vernacular with Italianate detail |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence; completely remodelled in the 1870s, with the original post and beam substructure retained. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.90202, -71.26280 (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 83000639.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4976174
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.