Mason, Josiah, Jr., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1831 at 11 Market Street in Cambridge, this brick house was home to Josiah Mason, Jr., a merchant. It is a rare surviving example of a Federal period side-hall single house. The brick cornice is a typical Federal detail, while the pilaster frame around the entrance points to the arrival of the Greek Revival style, so the house captures a moment of stylistic transition. The architect is unknown, and the building has been neither altered nor moved. It still serves as a residence, its original use. Mason also played a part in local affairs. He was among the men who formed the Cambridgeport Meetinghouse Corporation under an act passed in 1805. He served as a selectman from 1828 to 1831 and as a representative in the General Court in 1832. The house was listed for both its architectural character and its link to a figure in Cambridgeport civic life.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant architecturally and historically. It is a rare example of a Federal period side-hall single house, with a Federal brick cornice and a Greek Revival pilaster entrance that marks the emergence of the new style. Its first resident, Josiah Mason, Jr., was a merchant, selectman and state representative.
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 82001959, listed April 13, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 11 Market St., Cambridge |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | April 13, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001959 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Late Federal, with Greek Revival pilaster enframement of the entrance |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential; the form states the building is unaltered and has not been moved. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 42.36713, -71.09400 (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 82001959.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6290567
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.