Spencer-Pierce-Little House
_-_Newbury,_Massachusetts.JPG){kind=link}
Why it's listed
Set at the end of Little's Lane in Newbury, this stone house sits in the middle of a farm long associated with it. The original part is a two-and-a-half story, cross-shaped building with a large central chimney and two-foot-thick walls of granite, field stone and brick under thick plaster. A two-story porch with an arched brick doorway projects from the five-bay south front, and the Dutch-style entrance door keeps its wrought iron hinges. Inside, a stairway winds around the chimney, and the parlor and hall follow the typical 17th-century two-room plan. A large rear wing holds the kitchen, and a frame west wing with Georgian paneling was added after Captain Offin Boardman, Jr. acquired the property in 1797. The exact construction date is unknown, though it lies between 1631 and 1701 and the house certainly existed by 1701. It was listed as the best preserved and least-altered of the very few stone houses built in New England in that era.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the best preserved and least-altered of the very few stone houses built in New England during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its cross-shaped plan, central chimney and distinctive entrance porch survive largely intact. It has stayed in the same family since 1861 with few changes.
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 68000043, listed November 24, 1968. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Little's Lane, Newbury |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | November 24, 1968 |
| Reference number | 68000043 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1631-1701 |
| Architectural style | Georgian paneling in the west wing; original portion is a 17th-century central-chimney stone house |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 24, 1968 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Maintained in excellent condition and still used as a private residence; the form also marks it as altered. |
| Acreage | 50 |
| Coordinates | 42.79500, -70.85324 (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 68000043.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16900389
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.