House at 306 Broadway
Why it's listed
Standing at the corner of Broadway and High Street near Methuen's town center, this small Greek Revival cottage dates to about 1830. It is a two-story, clapboard-sheathed house with a five-bay facade, central entry, pitched roof and central chimney, plus a small ell at the west. Distinctive original features include a pedimented gable with a simply framed central window, a deep cornice, panelled pilasters and a narrow glazed transom over the door. First-story windows hold 6/6 sash. The house sits along the Essex Turnpike of 1806, now Broadway, and several generations of the Silver family, mostly shoemakers, owned it in the 19th century. It was listed for its architectural quality and its place in local development: it is regarded as one of the best preserved Greek Revival houses in or near central Methuen and typifies housing built between 1825 and 1860, the town's first period of industrial growth. A 20th-century rear addition is the only major alteration noted.
Significance in brief: The house is described as one of the best preserved Greek Revival houses in or near central Methuen. It represents housing built during the town's first period of industrial development, 1825-1860. It retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship.
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 84002379, listed January 20, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 306 Broadway, Methuen |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | January 20, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002379 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1825-1860 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is a private residence, the same as its original use; a 20th-century rear addition is noted. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.72899, -71.18908 (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 84002379.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5914209
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.