Randall-Hale Homestead
Why it's listed
On a low rise above the Assabet River in Stow, this 2 1/2-story clapboard house was begun around 1710 by Stephen Randall, one of the twelve original proprietors of the town. It began as a simple hall-and-parlor dwelling and was updated in the mid-18th century with Georgian detailing, including a deeply moulded front doorway with pilasters and entablature, raised-panel walls in the Parlor, and a central chimney serving six fireplace openings. A ca. 1760 ell and a ca. 1820 east wing enlarged the plan, and a barn and carriage house stand nearby. The property is also linked to the growth of Gleasondale, once called Randall Mills. Abraham Randall, a Revolutionary War officer and Stow selectman, owned the mills from 1776 until his death in 1815. Later Hale family members were also involved in the village's mill industry. The house was recognized for its architecture and for its role in the settlement and early industrial development of the area.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a well-preserved example of Georgian remodeling applied to an early Middlesex County hall-and-parlor house, with a fine front entrance and intact Parlor panelling. It is also tied to the settlement of Stow and to the early industrial development of Gleasondale village through the Randall and Hale families, who owned local mills.
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 96000277, listed March 22, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 6 Sudbury Rd., Stow |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | March 22, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000277 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1710 - 1820 |
| Architect / builder | Stephen Randall (builder) |
| Architectural style | COLONIAL: Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a single dwelling; the main house has been modified with a ca. 1990 addition and 1970s window and clapboard replacements. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.40783, -71.52346 (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 96000277.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7291495
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.