Holbrook, Sylvanus, House
Why it's listed
Albee Road in rural Uxbridge is home to a two-storey, timber-frame house that tradition dates to about 1780. Clapboard walls rise from a rock-faced granite foundation, and the windows hold 12/12 sash in projecting frames with pinned joints. The symmetrical facade centers on a panelled door with a five-pane transom, framed by pilasters supporting a dentilled cornice and pediment. The frieze below the pediment alternates channelled panels with stylized trees. Most of the decorative trim appears to date from about 1800 to 1825. The house is believed to have been the home of Sylvanus Holbrook, who sat on the first board of directors of the Blackstone National Bank in 1825. Little else is known of him, though the bank role suggests he may have been a merchant as well as a farmer. Atlases from 1857 to 1898 list the property under the Holbrook family. It was recognized for its architecture and for its association with an early local backer of industrial development. A garage and small horse barn stand nearby.
Significance in brief: The house is an excellent local example of late Georgian/Federalist architecture, with detailed entry and window trim mostly dating from about 1800-1825. It is also believed to have been the home of Sylvanus Holbrook, a farmer and possible merchant who served on the first board of directors of the Blackstone National Bank in 1825, linking it to early local industrial development.
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 83004123, listed October 7, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Albee Rd., Uxbridge |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | October 7, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004123 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Late Georgian/Federalist |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a private residence; a garage was added in the 20th century. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.04497, -71.60932 (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 83004123.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7660721
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.