Cloverden
Also known as: Man House
Why it's listed
Cloverden is a wood-frame house at 29 Follen Street, close to Harvard Square in Cambridge. Built in 1837 for Mary Ann Fales, it is a center-entrance, five-bay variant of the local Greek Revival vernacular, with a Doric portico across the front and two bow-front bays with floor-length windows flanking the entrance. In 1852 the house was rented to a group of young men, among them geologist Josiah Dwight Whitney, astronomers Benjamin Apthorp Gould and Joseph Winlock, and Latinist George Martin Lane. They called it "Clover Den", an "old Bachelor Hall". Gould and Winlock reportedly set up a small observatory in the back yard, said to be the first in Cambridge. Mary Mann, mother of Horace Mann, bought the house in 1866, and it stayed in the Mann family until about 1890. The property was listed for its associations with Whitney, Gould and Winlock and as an important example of Greek Revival architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion B for its association with Josiah Whitney, Benjamin Apthorp Gould and Joseph Winlock, who lived there in the 1850s and later became prominent scholars. It is also significant under Criterion C as an important example of the Greek Revival style.
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 83000793, listed June 30, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 29 Fallen St., Cambridge |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | June 30, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000793 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Science, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a residential property; the form gives the present use as residential. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.38014, -71.12128 (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 83000793.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5135959
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.