Belcher, Jonathan, House
Also known as: Ladies' Library Association of Randolph
Why it's listed
Built in 1806 at 360 North Main Street in Randolph, Massachusetts, this two-story Federal house has a hip roof, clapboard siding, a granite foundation and a five-bay east facade. The central doorway has half-length sidelights and a fanlight, and inside a circular stairway and original mantels and wainscoting survive. Jonathan Belcher, a builder and architect, built it across the street from the family homestead after eighteen years of marriage. The Belcher family lived there until 1911, when a great-granddaughter gave the house and its furnishings to the Ladies' Library Association, formed in 1855. The Association has kept the house in excellent condition and welcomes school children and other visitors for tours. The house matters for its link to one of Randolph's original settler families and for the Association's charitable work. It is also regarded as the only local Federal period house to keep its architectural integrity, since most of Randolph's earliest buildings were lost.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to the Belcher family, early settlers of what is now Randolph, and to the Ladies' Library Association, founded in 1855, which received it in 1911. It is also considered the only local Federal period house in Randolph to retain its architectural integrity.
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 76000291, listed April 30, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 360 N. Main St., Randolph |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | April 30, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000291 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Jonathan Belcher |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and used as a women's club and museum; the form says the Association has kept the house in excellent condition and encourages tours. |
| Acreage | 0.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.16934, -71.04569 (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 76000291.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6272556
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.