G.A.R. Hall
Also known as: Bull Mansion
Why it's listed
Built in 1876 at 55 Pearl Street in Worcester, this granite mansion was designed by architect Calvert Vaux as a professional residence for Dr. George Bull and his wife Sarah. Her father, Daniel B. Wesson, who made his fortune in gun manufacturing, gave the house as a gift at a cost of $125,000. The building is High Victorian-Stick Style, with random ashlar Connecticut granite, lighter granite trim, a steep slate roof, ornamental gables and a tower balancing the facade. The basement originally held the doctor's offices. The Bulls separated in 1882, and the house passed through later owners until the George H. Ward Post 10 of the Grand Army of the Republic bought it in 1913. A rear addition followed in the 1920s, built partly with stone from the original iron-and-granite fence. In the early 1930s the veterans deeded the hall to the City of Worcester, which must maintain it for patriotic groups.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an architectural landmark designed by Calvert Vaux. It is also significant for its link to the Wesson family, a wealthy Worcester family, and as a surviving example of an era of opulence and craftsmanship.
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 75000303, listed March 13, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 55 Pearl St., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | March 13, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75000303 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1876 |
| Architect / builder | Calvert Vaux (architect); 1920s addition by Stephen Earle (architect) and O.W. Norcross (builder) |
| Architectural style | High Victorian-Stick Style |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the City of Worcester and used for offices and meeting space; condition listed as good and altered. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.26416, -71.80372 (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 75000303.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5594262
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.