Rowhouses at 256-274 Haven Street
Why it's listed
Row housing was unusual in Reading, where many newcomers sought freestanding suburban houses. The rowhouses at 256-274 Haven Street, built in 1886, are one of the town's few examples. They face south close to the street and are clad in clapboards. Although built late in the century, they recall the earlier Italianate style through strong vertical lines, two-story gable-roofed bays and flat caps over the windows. Edwin Manning built them on part of the old Harnden millyard, where a furniture company founded in 1828 had once produced thousands of refrigerators a year. Manning ran a cabinetmaking business there until fire leveled the millyard in 1884, after which directories list him as a builder. Later he moved his own house and built a business block at Main and Haven Streets. The row is valued for its rarity in town, its link to Manning, and its largely intact vernacular Italianate character, with only various doorway alterations recorded.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the row is one of Reading's few examples of row housing, which was uncommon in a town of freestanding suburban houses. It is also tied to Edwin Manning, a local furniture maker and builder, and is a largely intact example of vernacular Italianate architecture that retains its integrity.
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 84002817, listed July 19, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 256-274 Haven St., Reading |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 19, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002817 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Edwin Manning (original owner and builder) |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior wall fabric is clapboard; the only major alterations noted are various doorway alterations. The property has not been moved. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.52350, -71.10226 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 84002817.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14715836
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.