Ware Paper Mill
Why it's listed
Beside the Charles River in Newton's Lower Falls, this stone mill dates to 1790, when Revolutionary War veteran John Ware bought 14 acres, the dam and the watercourses and built the first paper mill on the river's banks. The original section is 1½ stories of random ashlar rubble with heavy quoins and stone lintels, and a 19th-century brick addition extends to the rear. Paper was made here continuously until 1938. After Ware sold it in 1815, later owners produced about 1½ tons of paper daily, and by the late 19th century the company specialized in bonnet board used to stiffen straw hats. The mill is reported to be the first in the United States to use the Foundriner machine, which produced rolls rather than sheets. Urban renewal removed much of the surrounding village, leaving the mill as one of few survivors. It was altered in 1973, but the basic materials and features remain, and it was judged significant at the local level for its industrial history.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the mill is significant as an early paper mill, built in 1790 and used continuously for papermaking until 1938. It was the first paper mill on the banks of the Charles and reportedly the first in the U.S. to use the Foundriner machine, which made rolls of paper instead of sheets. It is also one of the few surviving fragments of the old Lower Falls mill community.
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 78000458, listed May 22, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2276 Washington St., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | May 22, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000458 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1790 |
| Architect / builder | John Ware (original builder) |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Invention |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Altered considerably in 1973, with the interior stripped; the form marks the building as occupied, and accompanying correspondence describes its adaptation for use as a bank. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.32608, -71.25466 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 78000458.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7969251
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.