Crimmins, Thomas A., House
Why it's listed
This brick house at 19 Dartmouth Street in West Newton was built in 1910-1911 for wool merchant Thomas A. Crimmins, who had owned the lot since at least 1907. It is an estate-quality example of the Georgian Revival style, with a nearly square 2½-story main block under a slate hip roof, a large rear wing, brick quoins and a modillion cornice. The Commonwealth Avenue side has projecting end pavilions and two monumental Tuscan columns, while the Dartmouth Street side has a four-column portico facing a curving drive. The brick is laid in Flemish bond, and a matching garage stands behind. The house was one of several large homes built on the south slope of West Newton Hill after Commonwealth Avenue was laid out. Crimmins lived there until 1940. The estate was acquired in 1960 for the Dominican Sisters and in 1966 became the residence of the Melkite Catholic bishop. It was listed for its architecture and its link to Newton's suburban growth.
Significance in brief: The house is presented as one of the finest Georgian Revival houses in Newton, notable for its massive size and brick construction. It also represents the city's early 20th century suburban growth, including infill of established areas and new subdivisions. It is also tied to development on West Newton Hill after Commonwealth Avenue was built.
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 90000021, listed February 16, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 19 Dartmouth St., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | February 16, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000021 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival (described in the text as Georgian Revival) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent, with no major alterations; present use is residential. |
| Acreage | 1.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.33880, -71.22610 (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 90000021.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7786856
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.