Beebe Homestead
Why it's listed
Set on a hill back from Main Street at the end of a long drive, this clapboard house overlooks a lake in Wakefield. Dated to 1798 or 1818, it may contain framing from an earlier house of about 1727 that stood on the site. The two-story, hip-roofed Federal dwelling has two tall interior chimneys, a deck balustrade, an octagonal cupola, and giant pilasters framing one of its three-bay entrance facades. The south entrance has a portico and a leaded glass fanlight. Though smaller and simpler than the Salem mansions it echoes, it is considered one of the most imposing Federal houses in town. Lucius Beebe lived here from 1852 until his death in 1884. He served as selectman, school board member, Justice of the Peace and state legislator, ran cotton and leather businesses, and gave generously to the library that bears his name. A large rear ell was added to house his family of twelve and their servants. The house remains a dwelling, in excellent condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the most high-style Federal buildings in Wakefield and a landmark on its lakeside site. It is also closely associated with Lucius Beebe, a prominent local figure who lived there from 1852 to 1884. It is argued to meet 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 89000667, listed July 6, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 142 Main St., Wakefield |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 6, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000667 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is a dwelling; condition is listed as excellent. |
| Acreage | 1.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.51708, -71.07393 (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 89000667.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4879539
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.