Daly, Reginald A., House
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Why it's listed
This two-story frame house on Hawthorn Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was probably built in the 1880s or 1890s, though the date and builder are unknown. Its irregular massing, asymmetrical dormers, porches and bays reflect the Queen Anne style, with shingled upper walls over a clapboard first story, a hipped roof and two chimneys. It was the home of geologist Reginald A. Daly from 1910 until his death in 1957. Daly taught at Harvard, where he became Sturgis-Hooper Professor of Geology in 1912. In about 150 books and papers he tried to turn vast amounts of field data into theories about the forces that shape the earth, and he pioneered applying physics and chemistry to geology. His 1914 book on igneous rocks stimulated several generations of geologists. He won the Hayden Memorial Geological Award and led the Geological Society of America in 1932. The exterior is unaltered, and the main house remains a private residence.
Significance in brief: The house is significant as the long-time residence of Reginald A. Daly, an internationally recognized geologist at Harvard. His work synthesized field data into theories about the forces shaping the earth, and he applied physics and chemistry to geology. He received major honors, including the Hayden Memorial Geological Award and the presidency of the Geological Society of America in 1932.
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 76000305, listed January 7, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 23 Hawthorn St., Cambridge |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | January 7, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000305 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1910-1957 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne with Shingle Style elements |
| Areas of significance | Science |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 7, 1976 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition with minor alterations; the main portion remains a private residence, and the basement was partitioned into rooms used as a doctor's office. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.37539, -71.12635 (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 76000305.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7308570
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.