Masonic Block
Also known as: M.F. Charles Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1894 at the corner of Main and Haven Streets, this three-story brick commercial block occupies a prominent hilltop spot in downtown Reading. It replaced the 1820 home of furniture manufacturer Henry Kingman, which was split in two and moved to other streets. A group of private investors, the Reading Masonic Temple Corporation, financed the building. Stores occupied the first floor, banks and the Reading Chronicle printing office the second, and the Masonic Lodge the third. Jeweler and stationer Millard F. Charles, who was also town clerk, bought many shares and moved into a north addition built in 1929; the building later took his name. Architecturally it follows the Second Renaissance Revival style, with brick pilasters dividing the facades into bays, decorative brick floor divisions, a limestone belt course, blind arches over the third-floor windows and a patterned brick cornice. The first floor has been heavily altered, but the upper floors retain their ornamental brickwork.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites it as an example of business replacing residences along Main Street in the late 19th century, and for its long connection with Reading businesses and professional men, particularly Millard F. Charles. It is also valued for its prominent corner location in Reading Square and as an example of Second Renaissance Revival style with unusual ornamental brickwork.
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 84002746, listed September 19, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 600-622 Main St., Reading |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 19, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002746 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; built by the Reading Masonic Temple Corporation |
| Architectural style | Second Renaissance Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is commercial; the first floor has been altered with colonial-style entrances and fenestration. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.52366, -71.10324 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 84002746.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6783662
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.