Goddard House
Why it's listed
Built in 1870 at 12 Catherine Street in Worcester, this two-and-one-half storey wood frame house was designed by architect Elbridge Boyden in the Second Empire style. It rises from a dressed granite foundation to a mansard roof covered in hexagonal-pattern slates. The asymmetrical plan includes rectangular and three-sided bays, an original entry porch with balustrade, double front doors, and paired brackets at the cornice. Most dormers have arched hoods, bracketed cornices and center finials, and a carriage house stands on the lot. The house was built for Henry Goddard (1823-1904), a Worcester native who spent fifty-five years with Washburn and Moen, becoming a manager and later foreman at the North Works on Grove Street. He also served on the city's Common Council and as an alderman. The building is considered among the most elaborate examples of its style in Worcester and is unusual for having a known architect. It has been vacant since about 1975 but remains largely original.
Significance in brief: It is described as among the most elaborate examples of its style in Worcester and one of very few buildings of its period with an identified architect. It was built for Henry Goddard, a longtime manager and foreman at the Washburn and Moen Wire Works, which links it to Worcester's wire industry. The house remains in nearly original condition.
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 80000555, listed March 5, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 12 Catherine St., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | March 5, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000555 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Elbridge Boyden (architect) |
| Architectural style | Victorian Second Empire |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant since about 1975 and described as currently neglected, though in original condition except for one removed bay of a rear porch. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.27548, -71.79367 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 80000555.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5576256
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.