Bowser Gazebo
Why it's listed
A wooden gazebo measuring 10 by 10 feet sits in the side yard of 25 Linden Street in Reading, Massachusetts. Built before 1894 as a summer house, it served as a focal point in an outdoor setting and a shady place to rest on hot days. The house on the property was designed by Horace G. Wadlin and owned by R. L. Bowser, a partner in the Copeland-Bowser dry goods store. Later the property belonged to E. A. Chandler, when it was photographed for a memorial volume. The gazebo is considered significant as an example of the Victorian love of domestic leisure, since such a structure suggests owners with time and money for quiet pleasures at home. It is also valued for its connection to Bowser and as one of the few gazebos remaining in Reading. It retains its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship and feeling. The listed area covers the gazebo and ten feet of land around its foundation. Its condition is described as fair.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the gazebo reflects the Victorian love of domestic leisure and is linked to local dry goods merchant R. L. Bowser. It is also one of the few remaining gazebos in Reading and retains good 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 84002514, listed July 19, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 25 Linden St., Reading |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 19, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002514 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architect / builder | House designed by Horace G. Wadlin (gazebo designer not stated) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as fair; present use is gazebo. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.52420, -71.10326 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 84002514.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4951419
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.