Boutell-Hathorn House
Also known as: Wheelgate Farm
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Set on 5.6 acres in eastern Wilmington, this farmhouse and its outbuildings are what remains of a once-extensive farm. The house began around 1754 as a small two-story dwelling and was extended east in the early 19th century, then enlarged at the rear in the mid-19th century and given a kitchen ell about 1900. Its center chimney, center entry and Federal/Greek Revival door surround reflect local building traditions. The large Italianate-influenced barn, a slaughter barn with an intact hoisting wheel, a brooder house and a greenhouse show how the farm shifted from general farming to butchering, poultry and market vegetables. The Richardson family bought the farm in 1941 and farmed here until 1971, although highway construction in the late 1950s took twenty acres. Few Wilmington farms still hold both their early houses and their barns, which is the basis for the property's recognition for architecture, agriculture and community development.
Significance in brief: The house records changes in Wilmington's domestic architecture from the Georgian period through the Federal and Greek Revival periods to the mid-20th century. Its barn complex and outbuildings show how local farmers adapted to changing farming technology and the agricultural economy near Boston. It is one of few remaining local farms that keep their agricultural buildings and historic landscape setting.
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 04001210, listed October 27, 2004. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 280 Wobun St., Wilmington |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | October 27, 2004 |
| Reference number | 04001210 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1754 - 1954 |
| Architectural style | Colonial: Georgian; Early Republic: Federal; Mid-19th Century: Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a single dwelling with agricultural storage and animal facility outbuildings. The owner planned to donate the property to the Town of Wilmington with a preservation restriction. |
| Acreage | 5.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.56501, -71.14581 (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 04001210.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4950430
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.