Jenison, Robert, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1738 by Robert Jenison, this two and one half story house stands on a small knoll at Frost and Winter Streets in Natick, facing south over about five acres of open meadow. It has a ridge roof, clapboard siding, six-over-six windows and a large off-center chimney. The off-center south entrance has a bull's eye transom and fluted pilasters under a dentiled cornice. Inside, the house keeps feather edge panelling on the first floor and eighteen inch floorboards upstairs. Though some restoration has occurred, the original frame, chimney, gunstock and bevelled summer beams, and most interior woodwork survive. Jenison was the area's leading housewright, and several of his buildings still stand nearby, usually of the center chimney type. He also served as selectman and militia captain, and took part in the dispute over moving the meeting house. His son, Lot, and grandson, Robert, continued the trade, and later descendants were tied to Methodist church history.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites the house for its early architecture, its park-like setting and its link to the Jenison family in Natick and nearby towns. Robert Jenison was the area's leading housewright, and the house retains its original frame, chimney, summer beams and much interior woodwork. His family included builders, a selectman and militia captain, and figures tied to early Methodism.
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 78000456, listed September 6, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N of Natick off I 90, Natick |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 6, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000456 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Architect / builder | Robert Jenison |
| Areas of significance | Military, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in good condition, on its original site. Some restoration work has been done, and the form describes it as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 5.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.32267, -71.33523 (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 78000456.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14715832
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.