Osborn House
Also known as: Durfee-Carr Osborn House
Why it's listed
Built in 1843, this three-story wooden house at 456 Rock Street in Fall River was designed by Russell Warren of Providence for Joseph Durfee, a founder of the Massasoit and Wamsutta Mills. It is one of the first houses built on 'the Hill' overlooking the city center. The nearly square main house has Doric corner pilasters, a dentilled cornice, an octagonal cupola and a monumental Corinthian portico on the south facade. A rear ell connects through a narrow link. It was one of three Warren-designed houses for the Borden-Durfee family and is the last surviving, and the city's most elaborate Greek Revival example. Durfee's descendants, including the Carr and Osborn families, who were active in the textile industry, lived there until 1951. The house then served as a parish house for the adjacent Presbyterian Church before being returned to single-family use in 1977. Alterations have been minor: a glazed west porch and a removed parapet. Restoration was under way at the time of listing.
Significance in brief: It is Fall River's most elaborate example of Greek Revival architecture and the last of three Russell Warren houses built for the Borden-Durfee family in the early 1840s. It is also tied to several leading nineteenth-century textile industrialists and to the start of 'the Hill' as a wealthy residential district. The house remains in nearly original condition inside and out.
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 80000431, listed April 4, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 456 Rock St., Fall River |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | April 4, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000431 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Russell Warren of Providence, architect |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence, in good condition; being restored based on family photographs and original furnishings found in storage. Converted to a parish house in 1951 and back to a single-family home after 1977. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Within district | Highlands Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.70754, -71.15200 (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 80000431.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7105761
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.