Luther Store
Why it's listed
Luther Store is a two-story brick veneer on plank saltbox building at the corner of Old Warren Road and Maple Avenue in Swansea, Massachusetts. Built in 1815 for John Brown Luther by his journeyman cousin Mace Luther, it housed a general store in its western end, with separate spaces on the upper floor. The interior keeps its original mahogany counter, three feet deep and twenty-five feet long, and the original store signs remain on the exterior. Members of the Luther family ran the store until 1925, and heirs deeded it to the town in 1935. The Swansea Historical Society has operated it since 1941. Luthers had lived at these four corners since 1747, with a tavern and a shoemaking shop on the other corners. Family members associated with the store held local offices including town clerk, treasurer, tax collector and justice of the peace. The building was moved back thirty-five feet in 1937 when the road was widened.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the store is significant for the excellent preservation of its architectural character, its association with the Luther family, and its role as a center of community activity in the 19th century. Family members who ran the store also held many local public offices.
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 78000438, listed May 22, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W of Swansea at 160 Old Warren Rd., Swansea |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | May 22, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000438 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Mace Luther |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied, in good condition; operated as a museum by the Swansea Historical Society since 1941. It was moved back thirty-five feet on its lot in 1937 for road widening. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 41.74491, -71.22312 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 78000438.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6705641
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.