Brande House
Why it's listed
Built in 1895 at 54 Woburn Street in Reading, this wood-clapboard house was put up by Dr. Mahlon Brande, a dentist who also invested actively in local real estate. It is considered one of the town's more complex houses. Queen Anne in character, it also shows the influence of the newer Shingle Style through its flowing massing and smooth wall surfaces. Three round windows pierce one gable, a tall ornamented chimney sits between two gables, and a deep porch is set back into the wall. Diamond-pane windows and a rubblestone foundation recall Tudor or medieval imagery, and stick-style decoration fills the gable fields. The house is significant as an example of homes built by local developers for sale to Boston and Maine railroad commuters, for its link to Brande, and as a good example of whimsical Queen Anne design. It retains its original location, design, setting, materials and workmanship. Woburn Street was a distinguished western entry into town.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an example of residences built by local real estate developers for sale to railroad commuters. It is also tied to Dr. Mahlon Brande, a Reading dentist and real estate entrepreneur. It is a good example of whimsical Queen Anne architecture with Shingle Style influence.
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 84002516, listed July 29, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 54 Woburn St., Reading |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 29, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002516 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; built by Dr. Mahlon Brande |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | No major alterations recorded; the form lists the property as a dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.52406, -71.10581 (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 84002516.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4956609
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.