Walcott-Whitney House
Why it's listed
This 2 1/2 story, central-chimney frame house stands at 137 Tuttle Lane in Stow, at the end of a small lane surrounded by woods. It is dated to about 1720-1730 on visual evidence. The clapboarded structure has an asymmetrical five-bay facade, a deep boxed overhanging cornice and a Federal door surround with half-length sidelights. A lean-to was added at the rear in the 18th century, with later additions in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Inside, the main first-floor rooms show exposed quirk-beaded summer beams and girts typical of late First Period framing, alongside early Second Period finish such as feather-edged sheathing, raised-field paneling and a bolection-molded fireplace. The original transitional staircase survives in the front lobby. The earliest known owner, Deacon Jacob Whitney, arrived in 1800 to work his wife's father's Walcott farm. The Walcotts came to Stow in 1735/36 and may have built the house then. The house was listed for its architectural integrity.
Significance in brief: The house is presented as a good example of a transitional First Period frame house that keeps its integrity of design, location, materials and workmanship. It combines late First Period framing with early Second Period interior finish. It also keeps much of its rural setting at the end of a small lane.
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 90000183, listed March 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 137 Tuttle Ln., Stow |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | March 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000183 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | First Period (transitional First Period to early Second Period) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recorded in good condition and in residential use; the form lists its present use as residence. |
| Acreage | 5.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.45143, -71.48569 (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 90000183.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7961344
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.