Parsons, Edward, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1877 at 56 Cedar Street in Newton Centre, this small clapboard house is an unusual local example of the Stick Style. Stick Style houses are not common in the Newton Centre area, and this one shows how the style was miniaturized for modest dwellings. A jerkin head gable on the facade, with patterned stickwork and bracing, marks the style. Elaborate carved bargeboards trimmed with rosettes decorate both the cross-gable and the facade gable, and chamfered porch posts carry matching brackets and rosettes. Edward Parsons, listed in city directories as a gentleman, was the original owner. Cedar Street was probably laid out in the 1850s, though the city did not accept it until 1878. The house remains a dwelling in very good condition on a suburban residential lot of just under an acre, with a garage. Its rarity and distinctive detailing led to its listing for architectural significance.
Significance in brief: The house is a rare Newton example of the Stick Style as it was scaled down for small dwellings, which is the basis for Criterion C. Its jerkin head facade gable, patterned stickwork and bracing, and carved bargeboards with rosettes are characteristic of the style. Stick Style houses are uncommon around Newton Centre.
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 86001862, listed September 4, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 56 Cedar St., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | September 4, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001862 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Stick Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is a dwelling; condition is described as very good, with a garage as an outbuilding. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.33843, -71.19841 (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 86001862.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5344775
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.