Fresh Pond Hotel
Why it's listed
Built in 1796 for Jacob Wyeth, a recent Harvard graduate, this Federal-style building began as the Fresh Pond Hotel on a bluff overlooking the pond. It drew wealthy Bostonians, who reached it easily by the West Boston Bridge and the Concord Turnpike. The nearby Mount Auburn Cemetery, created in 1831, and the Watertown Branch Railroad added to its popularity, and around 1838 the building was remodelled with Greek Revival gables and trim. It remained a favorite site for Boston social events until Cambridge temperance laws ended such gatherings in 1886. The Sisters of St. Joseph then converted it to a convent. In 1893 it was moved to 234 Lakeview Avenue, where it became apartments, a use that followed development pressure along Massachusetts Avenue. The wood-framed building is relatively unaltered apart from a twentieth-century stucco covering. It was listed for its association with the resort history of Fresh Pond, even after its relocation.
Significance in brief: The hotel was a famous and popular resort for Bostonians beside Fresh Pond, remodelled with Greek Revival features around 1838. It later served as a convent and as apartments. The reviewer concluded that, despite its move, the building remains historically significant under Criterion A.
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 82001940, listed April 13, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 234 Lakeview Ave., Cambridge |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | April 13, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001940 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | John Walton, Joseph Moore, housewrights |
| Architectural style | Federal/Greek Revival features |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential; the building has been altered several times and is covered in twentieth-century stucco. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 42.38275, -71.14092 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 82001940.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5503006
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.