Tucker, Dr. Harrison A., Cottage
Why it's listed
This two-story summer cottage at 42 Ocean Avenue in Oak Bluffs faces Ocean Park on Martha's Vineyard. Dr. Harrison A. Tucker, a patent medicine manufacturer, had it built in 1872 in the Stick Style to designs by the Boston firm Hartwell and Swasey, then remodeled it in 1877 into a Queen Anne house designed by John S. Hammond of Mattapoisett. It has an asymmetrical plan, extensive porches with sawn and carved brackets, a pyramidal-roofed tower, a belvedere, and walls of clapboard and fish-scale shingles. A carriage barn, now a garage, stands behind. Some original ornament has been lost, and the west tower was rebuilt in the 1980s after the 1938 hurricane. The interior was divided into six units in the early 1930s. The property is significant for its association with Tucker, who hosted President and Mrs. Grant in 1874 and was a leading figure in the resort community until 1891, and for being considered the most ornate Queen Anne cottage in Oak Bluffs.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it was the summer home of Dr. Harrison A. Tucker, a nationally prominent patent medicine manufacturer and Oak Bluffs' most conspicuous host and civic figure until his death in 1891. It hosted notable social events, including a 1874 visit by President and Mrs. Grant. It is also described as the most ornate Queen Anne cottage in Oak Bluffs.
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 90000678, listed October 22, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 61 Ocean Ave., Oak Bluffs |
|---|---|
| County | Dukes County |
| Listed | October 22, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000678 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1872-1891 |
| Architect / builder | Hartwell and Swasey (1872 original design); John S. Hammond of Mattapoisett (1877 alterations) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian: Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Health/Medicine, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Divided into six units in the early 1930s; current function listed as multiple dwelling. The west tower, destroyed in the 1938 hurricane, was rebuilt in 1984-1986. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.45577, -70.55724 (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 90000678.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5304131
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.