Lodge, Henry Cabot, House
Why it's listed
This brick villa at 5 Cliff Street in Nahant, Massachusetts, is the only known surviving residence tied to Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. Two stories tall, it has a low hip roof, white stucco scored to resemble stone, and a two-tiered wooden veranda with latticework pillars. Two small frame outbuildings, a servants' cottage and a garage, stand beside it. The builder and construction date are uncertain, though Lodge's grandfather owned the house by 1850. Lodge, born in 1850, spent summers and many weekends here as a boy, and the family kept the house until after his death. He later lived at East Point in Nahant, but that house was demolished during World War II for a coastal defense installation. His Boston and Washington homes are also gone. Lodge served in Congress from 1887 to 1924, shaped American foreign policy, and led Senate opposition to the League of Nations. He regarded Nahant as his permanent home.
Significance in brief: It is described as the only known surviving residence connected with Henry Cabot Lodge, a U.S. Representative and Senator from 1887 to 1924 who strongly influenced American foreign policy. His association with the house lasted his whole life, and Nahant was the place he considered his permanent home. His other known residences have been demolished.
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 76001971, listed December 8, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 5 Cliff St., Nahant |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | December 8, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001971 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1850-1924 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 8, 1976 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Privately owned and occupied year-round as a residence; described as in excellent condition in one of the nomination's statements, with no significant interior alterations beyond modern utilities. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 42.42172, -70.91070 (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 76001971.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5719085
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.