Dickinson, Emily, House
Why it's listed
This brick house at 280 Main Street in Amherst, Massachusetts, was the birthplace of poet Emily Dickinson and her home from 1855 until her death in 1886. Samuel Fowler Dickinson, the poet's grandfather, built the Federal style house in 1813. It was sold in 1833, and her father, Edward Dickinson, repurchased and enlarged it in 1855, adding a cupola, a broad cornice, a porch and an eastern wing. The Parke family altered it after 1915. Amherst College bought it in 1964, and it serves as a faculty residence. Dickinson wrote hundreds of brief lyrics in the house, but only seven are known to have appeared in print during her lifetime. Her work was edited and published after her death in 1886, and critical appreciation has grown steadily since. Her restored second-floor bedroom is open to the public by appointment, and work was under way to restore her flower garden.
Significance in brief: It was the birthplace of poet Emily Dickinson and her home from 1855 until her death in 1886. She wrote hundreds of poems here, only seven of which were published in her lifetime, and she is now recognized as a major figure in American literature.
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 66000363, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 280 Main St., Amherst |
|---|---|
| County | Hampshire County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000363 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1813; 1855-1886 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Literature |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 29, 1962 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by Amherst College and used as a faculty residence, with the poet's bedroom open to the public by appointment; described as well maintained and in good condition, with the flower garden being restored. |
| Acreage | 1.6 |
| Within district | Dickinson Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.37624, -72.51391 (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 66000363.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5372143
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.