Hosmer, Jonathan and Simon, House
Also known as: Tuttle, Francis, House; Twin Chestnut Farm
Why it's listed
Standing on a slight rise at Kelley's Corner in Acton, this long 2 1/2-story double farmhouse joins two homes built a generation apart. The eastern half was raised in 1760 for Jonathan Hosmer, Jr., a farmer, bricklayer and mason who apparently built it himself. The western half was added in 1796-97 for his son Simon. The two sections use different plans: the older has a rare direct-entry square plan with corner fireplaces, while the newer is a two-room half-house. Eight fireplaces, each different, reflect Jonathan's masonry skill, and an attic wall still carries red paint imitating brick. Late-Georgian doorways and a rear leanto give it the form of a saltbox. After the Hosmers, Francis Tuttle, a local politician, owned the farm from 1846. A 1972 fire damaged the rear, which was rebuilt in the 1970s. The property is significant for its architecture and its link to Acton's farming history and later development.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding, well-preserved double farmhouse of the late 18th century, and the best-preserved of Acton's three intact Colonial saltboxes. It combines two different 18th-century plans, a direct-entry square plan and a half-house, which is unique in town. It is also tied to the Hosmer family's role in Acton's farming community and the development around Kelley's Corner.
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 02000432, listed May 2, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 300 Main St., Acton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | May 2, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000432 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1760-1951 |
| Architect / builder | Jonathan Hosmer (mason and builder) |
| Architectural style | Colonial: Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now used as a museum and library, with the property owned by the local historical society. Restoration work was done in the 1970s after a 1972 fire damaged the rear. |
| Acreage | 2.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.47675, -71.45130 (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 02000432.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6274904
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.