Robbins, George, House
Why it's listed
Standing at 523 Curve Street in Carlisle, this 2 1/2-story, five-bay clapboarded house has a double-cell First Period core built around a central chimney, dated c. 1700 though traditionally linked to George Robbins, who built a house and grist mill on land then part of Chelmsford. The chimney is fieldstone up to the attic floor, an uncommon feature in Massachusetts Bay First Period houses outside Middlesex County, where it became a regional variant. Inside, exposed summer beams with flat chamfers and lamb's tongue stops, hewn gunstock posts, and evidence of rising braces point to late 17th or early 18th century origins. Later Second Period boxing and feather-edged paneling cover much of the original finish and may conceal further early details. Additions include an 18th century lean-to, a Greek Revival door surround, and 19th and 20th century ells. An early 19th century barn and the old road to the mill site help preserve the setting, which includes over 32 acres of fields and woods.
Significance in brief: The house keeps its First Period frame, including an unusual fieldstone central chimney that changes to brick only above the attic floor, a form seen as a regional variant in Middlesex County. Hidden beneath later boxing and paneling there may be early decorative details that could add to knowledge of First Period finishes. It was recommended under Criteria C and D.
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 90000168, listed March 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 523 Curve St., Carlisle |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | March 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000168 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | First Period |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as good; in present use as a residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.55315, -71.35100 (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 90000168.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5543917
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.