Dean, Theodore, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1866 at 26 Dean Street in Taunton, this frame Italianate house was erected for Theodore Dean on the site of an earlier family residence. Its central gabled pavilion holds a double-leaved entrance, and a front porch rests on chamfered posts. The exterior is clapboard, and the form records no alterations and no move. Dean came from the family that founded the Taunton Iron Works around 1657. He succeeded his father as head of the foundry and held that post until 1893. He also served as president of the Bristol County National Bank and of the Taunton Crucible Company, and as a director of the Eagle Cotton Mill. His widow and sister lived in the house until the 1960s, when it was converted to apartments. It is listed for its well preserved Italianate design and for its long association with one of Taunton's most prominent industrial and commercial families. The house retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship and association.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to the Dean family, founders of the Taunton Iron Works around 1657. Theodore Dean led the foundry after his father until 1893 and held several local business offices. The form also cites its well preserved Italianate design and its integrity.
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 84002108, listed July 5, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 26 Dean St., Taunton |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | July 5, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002108 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Converted to apartments in the 1960s; the form lists present use as professional offices and apartments. Not altered or moved. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.90379, -71.08336 (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 84002108.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7781755
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.