Wedgemere Historic District
Why it's listed
Wedgemere is a residential neighborhood of roughly 39 acres at the center of Winchester, Massachusetts. It began in 1891 when a land syndicate led by Frank B. Forsyth bought 75 acres of farmland and market gardens known as Wyman's Plain. The syndicate failed in the financial panic of 1893, but lots sold steadily to Boston business and professional families. The district opened the town's west side to suburban growth and is the largest 19th-century subdivision in Winchester. Its grid of broad streets, large lots, deep setbacks and mature shade trees frames large houses in Queen Anne, Shingle, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival and Craftsman-derived styles. Notable examples include the 1904 Phineas Nickerson House, an early Tudor Revival house, and the 1908 Arthur C. Lombard House, a Spanish Colonial Revival design described as perhaps the best of its kind in the Boston region. Of 117 houses, 19 are intrusions. The district was recognized for its history and architecture.
Significance in brief: The district is Winchester's largest 19th-century subdivision and the first major one to open the west side of town to residential development. It is also significant for the architectural quality of its houses in Queen Anne, Shingle, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival and Neo-Rationalist styles. Together with the Everrett Avenue/Sheffield Road area, it is described as Winchester's finest turn-of-the-century neighborhood, reflecting the town's shift from an industrial to a suburban focus.
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 89000659, listed July 5, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Roughly bounded by Foxcroft, Fletcher, Church, and Cambridge, Winchester |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | July 5, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000659 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1891-1916 |
| Architect / builder | Blaikie Brothers, Dexter Blaikie, Phineas Nickerson (builder), Spencer W. Richardson, William B. French |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Shingle, Colonial Revival, Tudor (Medieval) Revival, Neo-Rationalist/Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential and general condition is stated as excellent. Of 117 houses, 19 are defined as intrusions. |
| Acreage | 39 |
| Coordinates | 42.44985, -71.15101 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 89000659.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7979177
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.