Harrington House
Also known as: The Homestead
Why it's listed
Built about 1710 on land first allotted to Robert Harrington in 1634, this two-story, four-bay farmhouse in southwest Weston grew from two separate structures that were joined into one. Clues remain in the framing: a doubled support post beside the front door, rafters of differing lengths, thinner framing on the west side, and garret floorboards that run in different directions. In the early nineteenth century, Stephen Harrington removed the original central chimney, added a two-story east ell with the kitchen fireplace and brick oven, and installed the present staircase and Federal-style trim. A 1908 restoration lowered the ell roof. A rooster weathervane on the rear shed was made around 1820 by Henry McIntire, who lived on the farm. An elm planted in 1697 stands nearby and is reputed to be the oldest in Massachusetts. The house is believed to be the fifth oldest in Weston.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a good example of early eighteenth-century architecture and is notable for having evolved from two separate houses into one. Its framing details show how the two structures were joined. An elm on the property, planted in 1697, is said to be the oldest elm in Massachusetts.
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 76000281, listed June 22, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 555 Wellesley St., Weston |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | June 22, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000281 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1710 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Colonial, with Federal period alterations |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, private residence; restored in 1908. |
| Acreage | 3.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.32731, -71.31028 (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 76000281.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14715508
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.