Hastings, Oliver, House
Also known as: Hodges House
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Why it's listed
Built in 1844-45 at 101 Brattle Street in Cambridge, this large frame house was erected by Oliver Hastings, a Boston merchant. It is T-shaped and two stories tall, with a hipped roof topped by a monitor that holds an additional half story. A wide curved bow with a two-story porch dominates the south facade, with four fluted Corinthian columns on the first level and an elaborate cast-iron trellised balustrade above. French doors and louvered shutters mark the openings. Inside, a semicircular center hall and a spiral staircase were part of the original plan, and an oval room at the east end keeps its marble mantel and finish. Episcopal Bishop William Lawrence lived here for many years, and the Episcopal Theological School acquired the house in 1950. The nomination values it as a Greek Revival residence with a well-preserved exterior, even though first-floor rooms were subdivided into apartments. It remains in excellent condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a superb example of an elegantly designed frame Greek Revival residence, with curved bays, elaborate cast-iron balconies and a monitor roof. The exterior design has been preserved, though the first-floor interior plan has been considerably altered.
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 70000681, listed December 30, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 101 Brattle St., Cambridge |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | December 30, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000681 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1844-1845 |
| Architect / builder | Oliver Hastings (builder/owner, Boston merchant) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 30, 1970 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and not open to visitors; used as faculty apartments, classrooms and offices by the Episcopal Theological School. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 42.37670, -71.12569 (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 70000681.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7087589
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.