Beard, Benjamin, House
Why it's listed
Built between about 1851 and 1854, this clapboard cottage at 251 Ash Street in Reading follows a common local Greek Revival form: one and one-half stories, with the long side parallel to the street and wide corner pilasters supporting an entablature. Here the entablature has the classical three parts rather than the more usual two. The door surround is the main point of architectural interest, keeping a Federal-style tallness and high entablature, while the window surrounds carry elaborate molded cornices. An ell was added on the south side, and a 20th-century toolshed stands on the lot. The first owner, Benjamin E. Beard, was said to be the first person in town to make the watch and jewelry trade a distinct business. He opened a store in 1847 and ran it until his death in 1868, after earlier working for clock manufacturer Daniel Pratt. His son William later moved the business to the Lyceum Building in 1873. The property retains its location, design, setting, materials and workmanship.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to Benjamin E. Beard, said to be the first person in Reading to make the watch and jewelry trade a distinct business. It is also an elaborate example of the typical Greek Revival cottage built in Reading through the 1850s, and it retains its integrity.
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 84002505, listed July 19, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 251 Ash St., Reading |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 19, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002505 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.51667, -71.10106 (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 84002505.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4888263
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.