Warelands
Why it's listed
Warelands is a hilltop farm property on Boardman Street in Norfolk, Massachusetts, centered on the Elisha Ware House, a 2½-story saltbox built in 1733 by Ebenezer Ware. It keeps a large central brick chimney, wide-plank floors, broadaxed oak framing and four original fireplaces. The grounds also hold a dairy barn, a milk bottling house, a well and the cellar hole of the first Ware house. Robert Ware acquired the land in the 1660s, and his family owned it for eight generations. Between 1905 and 1913 Charlotte Ware added wings to the house and built the barn and bottling house for the Warelands Dairy and Dairy School. The dairy produced certified milk with a bacterial count of about 200, against the 500,000 Boston then allowed, at a time when milk-borne disease was widespread. The school trained students in dairy practice and public health. The surviving buildings reflect both the colonial homestead and this early sanitary dairy.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the property is significant architecturally as a well-preserved 1733 saltbox with compatible additions and outbuildings. It is also historically important for more than 250 years of ownership by the Ware family, who figured in the area's settlement and community affairs. Its main claim is that Charlotte Ware's Warelands Dairy and Dairy School (1905-1913) produced certified milk of the highest quality and was an early, major experiment in milk sanitation and public health.
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 77000190, listed November 10, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Norfolk at 103 Boardman St., Norfolk |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | November 10, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000190 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1733; 1905 to 1913 |
| Architect / builder | Ebenezer Ware; Charlotte Ware |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Education, Exploration/Settlement, Science, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, occupied, and used as a private residence and for agriculture. |
| Acreage | 7.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.13148, -71.31689 (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 77000190.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7969305
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.