Inness-Fitts House and Studio/Barn
Also known as: Noyes, Henry O., House and Barn
Why it's listed
Located at 406 Main Street in Medfield Center, this property includes a ca. 1830 house and a mid-19th-century barn. The 2 1/2-story, five-bay house combines Federal features, such as a symmetrical facade and center entry, with Greek Revival details, including pedimented lintels and a recessed doorway with sidelights. A rear ell was probably added between 1849 and 1860. The property is best known as the home of landscape painter George Inness from 1860 to 1864. He converted the barn into a studio and probably added the large north-facing windows for steady, neutral light. Inside, traces of reddish paint remain on the plaster and lath. While living here, Inness painted works including Clearing Up, A Passing Shower and Road to the Farm, and he taught John A. S. Monks. The site is also linked to Medfield's growth. Archaeological study documents a Native American site on the lot and suggests further historic remains may survive.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an excellent local example of a transitional Federal/Greek Revival dwelling and is tied to the development of Medfield. It was also the home and studio of landscape painter George Inness from 1860 to 1864, a productive period in which he completed important works such as Clearing Up.
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 02000153, listed March 15, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 406 Main St., Medfield |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | March 15, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000153 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1830-1944 |
| Architectural style | Federal/Greek Revival; barn: No Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Both buildings are in use; the house is a single dwelling and the barn is used as a garage. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 42.18792, -71.30133 (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 02000153.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6035760
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.