House at 2212 Commonwealth Avenue
Why it's listed
Built around 1845 on a low, tree-shaded hill overlooking Commonwealth Avenue in Auburndale, this small house is a rare surviving example of Gothic Revival cottage design in Newton. Its walls are board and batten, and its picturesque look comes from a crenellated enclosed porch and wood brackets under the side eaves. The design resembles one of the plans in A.J. Downing's The Architecture of Country Houses. An ell was added in 1875 and remodelled in 1900, when dormer windows were also added. Despite these changes the house remains well preserved and is still a dwelling. It was listed because it is Auburndale's only remaining Gothic cottage and one of only a few board and batten Gothic houses left in the city. Later in the 19th century it belonged to Nathan Mossman, who served as Newton's overseer of the poor. The architect is unknown, and no outbuildings remain on the property of just under one acre.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house meets Criterion C as Auburndale's only surviving Gothic cottage and one of few board and batten Gothic Revival houses left in Newton. Its picturesque character comes from board and batten siding, a crenellated enclosed porch and wood brackets at the eaves. It resembles a design in A.J. Downing's The Architecture of Country Houses.
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 86001823, listed September 4, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2212 Commonwealth Ave., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 4, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001823 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as very good; still used as a dwelling, with additions in 1875 and 1900. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.34684, -71.25248 (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 86001823.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5914128
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.