Rumford, Count, Birthplace
Also known as: Rumford House
Why it's listed
Built in 1714 by Ebenezer Thompson, this three-story clapboard house at 90 Elm Street in Woburn, Massachusetts, has a gambrel roof at the front and a saltbox profile at the rear. Its flooring, hardware, paneling and fireplaces are believed to be original, and the interior and exterior are said to be little changed since the time of its famous native son. Benjamin Thompson was born here in 1753, in the home of his grandfather. A loyalist who left America with the British in 1775, he went on to a career in Europe, became Count Rumford of the Holy Roman Empire, reformed Bavarian welfare and the army, and founded the Royal Institution in London. His experiments helped disprove the caloric theory of heat. He was the first native-born American to make internationally significant scientific contributions. The house now serves as a museum dedicated to his memory and was recognized as a national historic landmark.
Significance in brief: Benjamin Thompson, later Count Rumford, was born here in 1753. He was the first native-born American to make internationally significant contributions to science, notably showing that heat is a form of motion rather than a fluid called caloric. He also founded the Royal Institution and promoted applying science to everyday life.
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 75001942, listed May 15, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 90 Elm St., Woburn |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | May 15, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001942 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799, 1800-1899 (both checked on the form) |
| Architect / builder | Ebenezer Thompson (builder, per the form's description) |
| Areas of significance | Science |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 15, 1975 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as excellently preserved, little changed from Rumford's day, and functioning as a house-museum; condition marked excellent and unaltered. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.50802, -71.16121 (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 75001942.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4889300
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.