Old Barn
Why it's listed
This small barn sits on a private road off Hillside Street in Milton, Massachusetts. It has a simple pitched-roof shed form and is clad in clapboard and wood shingle. Its roof is framed with bowed tie beams, and very early mortise-and-tenon joinery appears throughout. An examination of the framing in the western section led surveyors to suggest a date of about 1690 to 1720, though the building may have been altered and possibly moved at an unknown time. The nomination points to the very early oak framing as evidence that the barn was built in the late seventeenth or early eighteenth century, perhaps as part of one of the first settlers' farms in the area. The form identifies architecture and settlement as its themes. The architect is unknown, and the form recommends further research into the title and early history. The barn was listed as part of the Blue Hills and Neponset River Reservations multiple resource area, and it is still used as a barn.
Significance in brief: The form argues that the very early oak framing and mortise-and-tenon joinery suggest construction in the late 17th or early 18th century, possibly as part of one of the first settlers' farms. Its significance is tied to architecture and settlement. The form notes that further research on title and history is needed.
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 80000660, listed September 25, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Off Hillside St., Milton |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | September 25, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000660 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown |
| Architectural style | Simple pitched-roof shed |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is given as a barn; the property is owned by a state park district commission. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.20707, -71.11063 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 80000660.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7083435
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.