Hutchins, Oliver, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1820 by Oliver Hutchins, this farmhouse at 79 Elm Street in Chelmsford is a late, vernacular Federal home with a five-bay, two-and-one-half-story main block, a rear ell and a carriage house wing. It sits on about thirty acres that appear to match the original boundaries, with open fields, woods and stone walls. A granary, a well-house and the foundation of a barn survive nearby. Inside, most Federal finishes remain, including six-panel doors, mantels and extensive granite work in the foundation, hearths and floors. That stonework, and a sale clause allowing removal of split stone, suggest ties to Chelmsford's early granite industry. The house is one of only three of its plan in town and is less altered than the others. Its large, undeveloped setting is unusual given the suburban growth of the twentieth century, and the grounds are thought to hold significant archaeological remains from a nineteenth-century farmstead.
Significance in brief: The farmhouse keeps nearly all of its original Federal detail and is one of only three houses of its double-chimney, central-hall plan in Chelmsford. Its thirty acres of fields and stone walls preserve the town's nineteenth-century agricultural character amid heavy suburban development. The property also has links to Chelmsford's early granite industry and high archaeological potential.
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 85002013, listed September 5, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 79 Elm St., Chelmsford |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 5, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002013 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Oliver Hutchins (builder; architect listed as unknown) |
| Architectural style | Late vernacular Federal farmhouse |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as unoccupied, with renovation planned by the owner; about ten acres remain under cultivation. The granary and well-house are in poor condition. |
| Acreage | 30 |
| Coordinates | 42.55509, -71.38315 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 85002013.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7087612
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.