Wheeler-Merriam House
Also known as: Elm Brook Farm
The pin is a point inside the NPS boundary polygon, not a surveyed location.
Why it's listed
Set on 35 acres along Virginia Road on the slope of Pine Hill in eastern Concord, this 2 1/2-story wood-frame farmhouse has a central chimney, a rear leanto and a five-bay facade. Tradition dates it to 1692, when it was said to be a wedding present for Timothy Wheeler, son of Sargeant Thomas Wheeler. Later occupants included Timothy Jr., Abner Wheeler and the Merriam family, and the Algeo family ran a dairy farm and orchard here from about 1865 into the 20th century. Abner Wheeler, a cabinetmaker and builder, may be responsible for some of the later 18th-century woodwork, and he helped rebuild Concord's meetinghouse in 1791. The interior keeps notable paneling, bolection molding and a triple-run stair. The house was altered after a fire around 1904, including a new porch and the loss of some projecting window cornices. The site may also hold archaeological remains of early farm life and Native American use along an old trail.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house represents Concord's historic development and is tied to the prominent Wheeler and Merriam families, especially housewright Abner Wheeler. It is also a well-preserved example of stylistic evolution through the 18th and 19th centuries, notable for the quality of its woodwork. The property may also hold archaeological deposits from historic and prehistoric occupation.
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 82000493, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 477 Virginia Rd., Concord |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82000493 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Early colonial |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in good condition, with uses including agriculture, commercial and private residence. Since the 1960s it has been a riding school and stable called Elm Brook Farm. |
| Acreage | 35 |
| Coordinates | 42.46685, -71.30679 (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 82000493.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7992187
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.