Clapp, George, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1835, this house at 44 North Street in Grafton, Massachusetts, was designed and constructed by housewright George Clapp for his own family. It is a 2 1/2-story, temple-front Greek Revival dwelling with a two-story Doric colonnade across the front and along the long side facing Merriam Road, a feature found nowhere else in Grafton. Clapp was among the town's most sought-after builders during the boom years of the 1830s, and this house, one of only two firmly attributed to him, was evidently meant to advertise his skills. Interior details include paneled pocket doors, carved mantelpieces and a later Eastlake-style newel post. A New England style barn, in place by 1845, is connected to the house by a series of additions. After Clapp's death in 1845, the property passed to members of the Bigelow family and other local leather and farming figures, reflecting Grafton's prosperity as a boot- and shoe-manufacturing center. It is recognized for its architecture and its role in the community's development.
Significance in brief: The house is the only example in Grafton of the high-style Greek Revival type with a two-story colonnade at both front and side. It is an outstanding example of the work of George Clapp, who built many Greek Revival houses in central Grafton, and it served as a showpiece of his skill. It also reflects Grafton's prosperity in the 1830s boot and shoe boom, later serving as the grand residence of prominent local citizens.
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 97000919, listed August 21, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 44 North St., Grafton |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | August 21, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000919 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1835-1911 |
| Architect / builder | Clapp, George |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century: Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently in use as a single dwelling; the barn has been structurally stabilized and the rear shed or chicken coop rebuilt. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.21200, -71.68039 (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 97000919.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5537922
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.