Bigelow, Henry, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1845, this clapboard house at 15 Bigelow Terrace in Newton Corner was moved to its present site in 1895 from 334 Washington Street. It is a three-bay, end-gabled dwelling with Greek Revival features, including a wide eaves entablature, paneled corner pilasters, cornice returns and sidelights at the entrance. The uneven spacing of the front windows is unusual for a period that favored rigid classical symmetry. The house is in very good condition, with a 20th-century porch as its main alteration, and it remains a dwelling. Its historical importance rests on Dr. Henry Bigelow, a prominent educator who chaired the school committee while Newton's school system was regarded as one of the most progressive in the country. He also supported the Newton Free Library. The Bigelow School in Newton Corner was named for him, and Bigelow Terrace apparently takes its name from the family.
Significance in brief: The house is nominated for its association with Dr. Henry Bigelow, chairman of the school committee when Newton's school system was widely recognized as one of the most progressive in the country. He was also a prominent educator and a patron of the Newton Free Library. The house is also a well-preserved example of Greek Revival detailing.
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 86001774, listed September 4, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 15 Bigelow Terr., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 4, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001774 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Education, Social History |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as very good; currently used as a dwelling, with a 20th-century porch added. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.35919, -71.18663 (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 86001774.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5718184
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.