Devotion, Edward, House
Why it's listed
Edward Devotion House is a small, gambrel-roofed Colonial dwelling at 347 Harvard Street in Brookline, built around 1745 by Solomon Hill, the adopted son of Edward Devotion Jr. It is clapboarded, has a central chimney and an asymmetrical three-bay south facade with a pedimented door. A rear lean-to and a Beverly jog were added between about 1775 and 1800. Much original interior woodwork survives, including paneled fireplace walls, period hinges, and a molded stair handrail. The house was repaired in 1891 under architect William G. Preston when the neighboring Edward Devotion School was built with funds from Devotion's will, and again in 1908. It is regarded as the finest mid-18th century Colonial house left in Brookline. It also recalls the Devotions, a Huguenot family prominent in the town's civic and church life. Now town-owned, it serves as a museum displaying family heirlooms and portraits, and the annual reenactment of William Dawes' 1775 ride is linked to it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an excellent example of mid-18th century architecture and the finest of the few remaining in Brookline. It is also significant for its long association with the Devotions, a locally prominent Huguenot family active in the town's educational, governmental and religious affairs in the 17th and 18th centuries.
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 78002835, listed February 14, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 347 Harvard St., Brookline |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | February 14, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002835 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Architect / builder | Solomon Hill |
| Architectural style | Colonial (mid-18th century) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In good condition; owned by the Town of Brookline and used as a museum open to the public two days a week, with the curators living in the house. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.34433, -71.12420 (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 78002835.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5342579
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.