Glover House
Why it's listed
Built around 1798, this wood-clapboard farmhouse at 249 East Squantum Street in North Quincy's Atlantic neighborhood is a rare surviving example of the Federal-period farmhouses that once characterized the area. It was built by a member of the Glover family, probably Elisha, Ebenezer or Benjamin Wadsworth Glover, on land from a 400-acre grant that John Glover purchased in the mid-eighteenth century. The Glover farm once covered what are now the Atlantic and Montclair neighborhoods, and the family kept the house for generations. The building has a compact rectangular form, a large central chimney, a five-bay symmetrical facade, a low granite foundation and second-floor windows set tight under the eaves. Before 1888 the owners added a two-story rear wing, Greek Revival porticos and a Greek Revival entrance with fluted pilasters. Because it has avoided damaging exterior changes, it was recognized for its architecture and for its link to Quincy's early settlement. It now serves as a three-family home.
Significance in brief: The house is one of the few remaining reminders of Quincy's earliest settlement as a region of large farms, and the Glover family owned it for generations. Architecturally, it is one of the few Federal houses in Quincy whose exterior has not undergone damaging changes. It retains integrity of design, materials, location, feeling and association.
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 89001328, listed September 20, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 249 E. Squantum St., Quincy |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | September 20, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001328 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; built by Elisha or Ebenezer Glover or by Benjamin Wadsworth Glover |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as good; present use is a three-family dwelling, originally a single-family dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.28346, -71.02428 (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 89001328.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5572169
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.