Sparrow, Richard, House
Also known as: See Also:Town Square-Town Brook Historic District
Why it's listed
Built in 1640 by Richard Sparrow, this house at 42 Summer Street is described as the oldest house in Plymouth and one of the oldest in New England. It faces north on a slope that drops toward Town Brook, within the Town Square-Town Brook Historic District. The original section is three bays wide and one deep, with a steep roof and casement windows. A lean-to was added later in the 17th century, and a small extension followed in 1750. In the early 19th century the two units were divided to form a double house. A restoration in 1933 returned the earlier section to its original roof pitch. The Great Hall is the most notable feature. Its brick chimney and fireplace are the only known intact 17th-century example, and the room keeps original floor boards up to 28 inches wide. Shadow-mould pine casing on the corner posts is the only known example of its kind in New England. Sparrow came to Plymouth in 1632 and gave the house to his son Jonathan in 1651.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the oldest house in Plymouth and one of the oldest in New England. Its first-floor Great Hall holds the only known intact 17th-century fireplace, and shadow-mould pine casing on the corner posts is described as the only known example of that decoration in New England.
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 74002035, listed October 9, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 42 Summer St., Plymouth |
|---|---|
| County | Plymouth County |
| Listed | October 9, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74002035 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1640 and 1750 (17th and 18th centuries) |
| Architect / builder | Richard Sparrow |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, altered, on its original site, occupied, and used as a museum; restored in 1933. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.95423, -70.66453 (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 74002035.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7329174
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.