Sawin-Bullen-Bullard House
Why it's listed
This five-bay, 2½-story clapboard house on Brush Hill Road in Sherborn dates to between about 1680 and 1712. It keeps the profile of a First Period dwelling, one room deep with an integral lean-to and a massive brick chimney centered on the ridge, while showing Georgian-style detailing. A central-hall plan and narrow, simply framed windows complete the main block. A Greek Revival door surround with pilasters, entablature and sidelights was added around 1840. Later additions include a 19th-century rear ell and a one-story western ell from about 1950. The house may have been built by Thomas Sawin, a millwright who settled on Course Brook in the late 17th century, or by the Bullen family, who owned it through the 1700s. In the early 1800s Galem Bullard, a stonemason and farmer, lived here. In 1822 he replaced a marked oak on the town line with the W Stone, which still stands. About 34 acres belong to the property, but only the area around the house and outbuildings is included.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be a well-preserved example of the transition from First Period to Georgian architecture, keeping its one-room-deep form with integral lean-to and central chimney. It reflects Sherborn's earliest scattered settlement along brooks, which grew into productive farms. It may also yield information on early building practices.
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 86000509, listed January 3, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 60 Brush Hill Rd., Sherborn |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | January 3, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86000509 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Possibly Thomas Sawin or the Bullen family (not certain); architect N/A |
| Architectural style | First Period (transitional to Georgian) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residence; described as retaining integrity of location, design, setting, materials, feeling, workmanship and association. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.25749, -71.40374 (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 86000509.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7428640
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.