Woodward, Rev. Samuel, House
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built in 1753 by Reverend Samuel Woodward, the second minister of Weston's First Parish Church, this two-story clapboard house at 19 Concord Road sits on a knoll on two acres. It has five bays, a central projecting entrance, a fieldstone foundation and a central brick chimney. Evidence suggests Woodward incorporated an older house into the rear portion. Additions include a west ell with a former ballroom, moved in 1915, and a 1960s kitchen ell. Interior paneling, gunstock posts and the front staircase remain largely intact. Woodward led the Weston militia in prayer on April 19, 1775, and read the Declaration of Independence from the pulpit in 1776. Later occupants included Dr. Amos Bancroft, town physician, and the Fiske family, who lived there for over a century. Mary Fiske was a friend of Winslow Homer, who often sketched her. The house is regarded as one of Weston's most architecturally significant for its early date and few alterations.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a relatively unspoiled example of eighteenth-century architecture and was the home of several families important in Weston's history. It was built by Weston's second minister, who led the town militia in prayer on April 19, 1775, and read the Declaration of Independence from the pulpit in 1776. Later owners included Dr. Amos Bancroft and the Fiske family, friends of Winslow Homer.
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 76000283, listed October 8, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 19 Concord Rd., Weston |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | October 8, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000283 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1753 |
| Architect / builder | Reverend Samuel Woodward (builder, 1753) |
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in good condition, privately owned and occupied as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Within district | Boston Post Road Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.36830, -71.30523 (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 76000283.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7317688
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.