Farlow and Kendrick Parks Historic District
Also known as: See Also:Farlow and Kendrick Parks Historic District (Bounda
Why it's listed
Farlow and Kenrick Parks form the core of a sixty-acre residential district in Newton Corner, Massachusetts, with 164 buildings, fewer than 35 built after 1907. Kenrick Park was laid out in 1845 by Alexander Wadsworth at the request of nurseryman William Kenrick, and Farlow Park followed in the 1880s on land donated by John S. Farlow. Railroad service from Boston, and later streetcar lines, drew upper and middle class commuters, and the neighborhood filled with houses between 1870 and 1910. Nearly every major nineteenth century residential style appears, from Greek Revival houses near Centre Street to elaborate Queen Anne residences on Franklin Street. Churches add distinction, among them Immanuel Baptist Church by H.H. Richardson's office, the Byzantine-inspired Methodist church by Cram, Wentworth and Goodhue, and Grace Episcopal Church by Alexander Esty. The district was listed for its architectural quality, planned landscape and suburban character.
Significance in brief: The district reflects Newton's nineteenth century growth as a fashionable Boston suburb, shaped by railroads and streetcar lines. It is noted for high quality architecture, picturesque planning with attention to landscape detail, and imposing civic and institutional buildings set within a residential area. It includes churches by architects of national repute such as H.H. Richardson and Cram, Wentworth and Goodhue.
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 82002745, listed July 8, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Roughly bounded by Franklin, Park, Church, Center and Wesley Sts. and Maple Ave., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 8, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002745 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1870-1910 |
| Architect / builder | Cram, Wentworth & Goodhue, H. H. Richardson, Alexander Esty and others |
| Architectural style | Variety of Victorian styles including Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, Shingle, Stick and Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as retaining its original late nineteenth century character; condition marked excellent to good, and altered. Farlow Park's pond has been filled and its bridge replaced. |
| Acreage | 60 |
| Coordinates | 42.35214, -71.18410 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 82002745.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5435459
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.