Hagar-Smith-Livermore-Sanderson House
Why it's listed
This house at 51 Sanders Lane in Waltham's Piety Corner area is traditionally called the oldest in the city. Early 20th-century researcher Joseph R. Worcester dated it to 1716, though physical evidence points to the mid-18th century. The rear ell holds the oldest fabric. The front block was added in the 1780s, around 1793 by the form's dating, as a 1½-story cottage. It was later raised to a 2½-story block under a slate gambrel roof. Around 1856 the house was updated with Italianate details, including an overhanging roof, modillion cornice, eared entry surround and a bracketed piazza. Heavy molded window caps survive from the 18th century. Owners included William Hagar, Nathaniel Smith, Nathaniel Livermore and Deacon John Sanderson, a cordwainer who enlarged the house. Thomas Worcester bought it as a summer home in 1856, and his son Benjamin later used it as a dormitory for a New Jerusalem church school. The house was listed for its architecture and its links to the area's settlement.
Significance in brief: The house shows a long architectural evolution from the mid-18th century to the mid-19th century, combining Georgian and Italianate features. It is traditionally known as Waltham's oldest house and reflects the growth of Piety Corner. It is also associated with a succession of prominent local families, including the Hagars, Smiths, Livermores, Sandersons and Worcesters.
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 89001532, listed September 28, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 51 Sanders Ln., Waltham |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 28, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001532 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Italianate with Georgian features |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is a dwelling; condition is described as excellent and the property has not been moved. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.38868, -71.24487 (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 89001532.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5638543
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.