Parker House
Why it's listed
Built in 1881 for Ella J. Parker, this small cottage at 316 Haven Street in Reading sits on a corner lot of about 6,300 square feet and faces south. Its architect is unknown. The house is described as a fine Queen Anne cottage given a Stick-style interpretation. A wrap-around veranda with a roof carried on basket-handle arches seems extravagant for so small a building. Gable decoration reminiscent of half-timbering, staggered-butt shingles in the gable end and wide, arched veranda brackets give it the look of a cozy English cottage. The side streets on the east side of Reading were home mainly to lower middle-class and working-class families, and this modest house stands out for its high-style feeling and execution. It was listed as an intact example of the Victorian houses built by lower and middle class residents of the town, and for its detailing. The exterior is clapboard and shingle, with a rear extension and a garage.
Significance in brief: The house is an intact example of the Victorian houses built by lower and middle class Readingites. It also has fine Stick style-Queen Anne detailing. It retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship and feeling.
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 84002778, listed July 19, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 316 Haven St., Reading |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 19, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002778 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Stick - Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.52750, -71.10021 (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 84002778.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7138324
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.