Elliott, Luther, House
Why it's listed
Built about 1850 for cabinetmaker Luther Elliott, this 1 1/2 story, five-bay Greek Revival house stands on a corner lot at 309 Haven Street in Reading, Massachusetts. Its clapboard walls are set behind large pines and a stone retaining wall. The entrance is the most distinctive feature, combining a fluted architrave surround with corner blocks and a pilaster-and-entablature treatment, both found elsewhere in town. Dentils mark the frieze, and incised circles ornament the corner blocks at the window lintels. The variety of detail may reflect the owner's trade in wood. Elliott belonged to the cabinetmaking industry that thrived in Reading from the 1840s to the 1860s, peaking in 1855 with 13 establishments and nearly 200 workmen. He invented a technique for sawing wood veneers, worked with manufacturer Henry Kingman, and taught the trade to Sylvester Harnden. Elliott Street was cut through his side yard and carries his name. The house was listed for its role in the trade, its link to Elliott, and its modest Greek Revival design.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to Reading's cabinetmaking trade and to Luther Elliott, a prominent cabinetmaker who invented a technique for sawing wood veneers. It is also an example of the modest Greek Revival houses built by Reading tradespeople. Its door surround blends two local door treatments, and the decorative detail may reflect the owner's work in wood.
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 84002598, listed July 19, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 309 Haven St., Reading |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 19, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002598 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect: n/a; original owner Luther Elliott |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.52299, -71.10030 (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 84002598.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6705552
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.