Cowdry, Nathaniel, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1764 at 71 Prospect Street in Wakefield, this 2½-story, five-bay Georgian house has a large central chimney and wood clapboard walls. The irregular spacing of its bays suggests it began as a three-quarter house, with two outer bays added later. Small windows with projecting frames and a narrow door surround with battered pilasters reflect Georgian design, though the thin proportions hint at the coming Federal style. Surviving details include batten doors, strap and leather hinges, dry-laid rubble stone foundations and one clam shell plaster ceiling. The site is tied to William Cowdry, an early Reading settler, whose homestead is said to have stood here. Nathaniel Cowdry lived in the house in 1765, and the family occupied it until 1866, keeping some farmland and an adjacent house until about 1900. It is the oldest of three surviving Cowdry homes on Prospect Street, and its long family continuity is a major reason for its recognition. Two additions on the north side and a noncontributing carriage house complete the property.
Significance in brief: It is the oldest of three Cowdry family homes on Prospect Street and reflects nearly 150 years of continuous family ownership, which may be unparalleled in Wakefield. The house retains its integrity and is considered significant under Criterion C at the local level. Its Georgian features and early construction details add to its architectural value.
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 89000738, listed July 6, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 71 Prospect St., Wakefield |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 6, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000738 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Residential use; condition described as fair, with two additions on the north side. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.50480, -71.08557 (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 89000738.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6969553
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.