Gay, Rev. Samuel, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1817 on Williamsville Road in Hubbardston, this two-story, five-bay Federal style house was the home of Rev. Samuel Gay, minister of the town's First Church. It is timberframed, clad in clapboard and wood shingle, and rests on a brick foundation under a hip roof with paired chimneys. The main entrance has a slim Doric-pilastered doorframe with a spiderweb fanlight, and the eave moulding and window trim are more elaborate than on typical farmhouses of the period in central Massachusetts. Inside, wide board floors and Federal trim survive, especially in the study and parlor. Gay's ministry was stormy, marked by opposition to the War of 1812 and a doctrinal dispute that led in 1827 to the division of the church into two congregations. In the mid-20th century the property was owned by Otto and Lyyli Laitinen, linking it to the town's Finnish community; a sauna once stood on the grounds.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant under Criterion A for its role in the town's early 19th-century growth and for its mid-20th-century association with Hubbardston's Finnish community. Under Criteria A and B it is tied to Rev. Samuel Gay, a controversial figure in the 1827 Calvinist-Unitarian split of the town church. Under Criterion C it is a well-preserved Federal style house with trim more elaborate than usual for farmhouses of the area.
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 97001450, listed November 24, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 10 Williamsville Rd., Hubbardston |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | November 24, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97001450 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1817-1947 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, European, Community Planning and Development, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house is described as in good condition with few significant alterations; the property is used as a single dwelling with agricultural fields. |
| Acreage | 7 |
| Coordinates | 42.47896, -72.01483 (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 97001450.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7317689
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.