Gleason, James, Cottage
Why it's listed
This small clapboard cottage at 31 Sayles Street in Southbridge dates to about 1830-1835 and blends Greek Revival massing with Gothic Revival detail. A recessed Gothic arched porch sits within the projecting pediment of the gable-front house. The porch is a later addition, probably from around 1900, when the house was moved from the eastern corner of Main and Sayles Streets. The original porch likely had four Doric columns. Gothic Revival saw limited popularity in Central Massachusetts, and this cottage is one of only a few remaining examples in Southbridge. It was probably built by James Gleason, a grocer who ran the Union Store and held interests in other Globe Village businesses. His house was part of a building boom on High, Sayles and Winter Streets, fueled by the growth of the Hamilton Woolen Mills. Gleason later built a larger Italianate house across from the cottage's original site. The cottage remains in residential use in good condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the cottage is significant for its link to the town's mid-19th century real estate development and for its stylish, rare Gothic Revival design. It is one of only a few Southbridge houses with Gothic Revival elements, applied to an otherwise Greek Revival form. It was probably built by James Gleason, a successful grocer in Globe Village.
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 89000533, listed June 22, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 31 Sayles St., Southbridge |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | June 22, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000533 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; probably built by James Gleason |
| Architectural style | Transitional Greek Revival/Gothic Revival |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as good; present use is residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.07933, -72.04307 (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 89000533.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6134675
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.