Purchase-Ferre House
Also known as: Jonathan Purchase House
Why it's listed
Built in 1764 by farmer Jonathan Purchase, this two-story, five-bay farmhouse on Main Street in Agawam represents the substantial timber-frame homes of the Connecticut River Valley in the mid-18th century. A large central chimney rises from a side-gabled roof, and the interior retains panelled fireplace walls, cased summer beams, a shell cupboard, wide pine floors and original latches. Surviving carved double-leaf doors now cover the cellar hatchway. Moses Ferre acquired the property around 1798-1800, and it stayed in the Ferre family for generations. Diaries and letters document changes to the house and the farm's shifting crops, including tobacco, broom corn and silkworms. A shop used for wheel- and harness-making and a granary also survive. Few 18th-century full-scale houses remain in Agawam, and this one is notable for its integrity and its link to the town's agricultural history. Archaeological potential is also noted for lost outbuildings and a barn that burned in 1914.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a well-preserved mid-18th century Connecticut Valley farmhouse that kept a high degree of integrity, having stayed in the Ferre family since 1799 with no substantial alteration. It is also a rare survivor of Agawam's few full-scale Colonial-period houses and reflects the town's agricultural past. It was listed under Criteria A and C at the local level.
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 90001805, listed November 29, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1289 Main St., Agawam |
|---|---|
| County | Hampden County |
| Listed | November 29, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001805 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1764-1914 |
| Architect / builder | Jonathan Purchase |
| Architectural style | Colonial/Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains a single-dwelling residence with a secondary structure; described as remarkably intact, with interior woodwork largely unaltered. |
| Acreage | 3.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.04965, -72.61566 (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 90001805.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7260923
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.