Gay Farm
Also known as: Negus Hill; Nichewaug Hill
Why it's listed
Set on a slight rise behind an old stone wall in Petersham, Gay Farm is a two-story gambrel-roofed house with a central stone chimney and stone foundation, built between 1740 and 1742 by William Negus. Wide shiplap boards still cover the walls, though they were shingled over around 1880 and partly exposed again after 1926. A rear ell began as a summer kitchen and was converted around 1940. The interior follows a center-chimney plan with three first-floor fireplaces, one with a brick oven. A barn about 200 years old, two sheds and a brick cistern remain on the 30 acres left from an original 96. The house is considered the oldest surviving in Petersham. It stayed with the Negus family and their descendants for 234 years. Joseph Negus, a Revolutionary War soldier later commissioned captain and major, received the farm in 1769, and his son Joel, a surveyor, town clerk and craftsman, inherited it after him.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as the oldest remaining house in Petersham. It also housed the same family, the Negus family and its descendants, for 234 years. Several generations of the family, including a Revolutionary War soldier, are tied to the property.
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 77000201, listed September 22, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of Petersham off Nichewaug Rd., Petersham |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | September 22, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000201 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1740-1742 |
| Architect / builder | William Negus |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied private residence, in fair condition and altered; the widow of a later owner is described as still living in the house at the time of nomination. |
| Acreage | 2.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.46398, -72.18447 (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 77000201.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5528578
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.