Oakes, Edward, House
Why it's listed
This two-and-one-half-story timber-frame house in Medford, Massachusetts, was built around 1728-1729 and is believed to have been raised by Edward Oakes, a local taxpayer, constable and fenceviewer. It has a massive central chimney, a steeply pitched gambrel roof with an eighteenth-century lean-to, and a symmetrical five-bay facade. Inside, raised-panel room ends and a narrow stair in front of the chimney survive. The house originally stood at 460 Riverside Avenue, on land Oakes bought from Peter Tufts. When commercial development threatened demolition, it was moved in 1977 across the Mystic River and Route 93 to Sylvia Road, near the Isaac Royall House. The entry and rear elevation are reconstructions. It was listed as Medford's best preserved example of vernacular eighteenth-century architecture, with only the slightly later Jonathan Brooks House comparable.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is Medford's best preserved example of vernacular eighteenth-century architecture. It keeps its simple exterior, central chimney, gambrel lean-to roof and interior woodwork. Despite the move, it is said to retain integrity of design, materials and workmanship. Only it and the later Jonathan Brooks House remain as Medford's best examples of the type.
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 80000639, listed April 9, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5 Sylvia Rd., Medford |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | April 9, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000639 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 (specific dates 1728-1729) |
| Architect / builder | Builders unknown (believed built by Edward Oakes) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular eighteenth-century architecture; gambrel-roofed, central-chimney house with lean-to |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; condition listed as excellent, altered and moved (August 5, 1977). |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.41204, -71.11044 (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 80000639.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5344681
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.