Rice, Capt. Peter, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1688 for Peter Rice at the time of his marriage to Rebecca Howe, this two-story timber-frame house on Elm Street in Marlborough began as a one-room-deep dwelling with a central chimney. Over the following centuries it was enlarged in stages: a lean-to and three rooms in the early eighteenth century, a raised northern half and new roof in the mid or late eighteenth century, and a rear ell and porches later. Original features survive in the south half, including a kitchen fireplace, moulded sheathing and raised panelling. Rice, born in Sudbury and brought to Marlborough as a child in 1664, farmed his land, became a militia captain and helped designate garrison houses in 1711. The house reflects early settlement and the layered growth typical of local vernacular building. The property may also hold archaeological information about seventeenth-century domestic life. The Marlborough Historical Society now owns it and is restoring it.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to the seventeenth and early eighteenth century settlement of Marlborough and was built for Peter Rice, a farmer and militia captain. It retains elements of at least four construction periods, showing a sequence of growth typical of local vernacular architecture. The form also notes possible archaeological potential from its seventeenth-century occupation.
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 80000641, listed April 9, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 377 Elm St., Marlborough |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | April 9, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000641 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1688, early 18th C., later additions |
| Architectural style | Local vernacular architecture |
| Areas of significance | Military, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the Marlborough Historical Society and undergoing restoration; listed in excellent condition and used as a museum. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 42.34771, -71.57447 (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 80000641.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5036464
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.