Holden Center Historic District
Why it's listed
Holden's town center sits on a hill where Routes 122A and 31 meet, and it gathers eleven structures, a common and an old burial ground under mature oak, maple and sycamore trees. Buildings range from the c.1750 Red House, a saltbox farmhouse, to the 1887 Damon Memorial Building, a brown stone Richardsonian Romanesque structure designed by Worcester architect Stephen C. Earle as a gift to the town. It first housed the high school and library. The 1836 Town Hall, with its Doric portico, has served as the seat of local government ever since. The First Congregational Church of 1789 was moved to its present site in 1827, and the First Baptist Church dates from 1835. The common was a gift from Governor John Hancock in 1789. Across the street, a small commercial area includes the 1880 Old Post Office and the 1840s General Store. Together these buildings show the civic, religious and commercial heart of the community and its architectural consistency.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the district is the traditional center of Holden and is tied to people and events important to the town's history. It is also significant for its architectural cohesiveness, with Greek Revival the most represented style among styles ranging from late Georgian to Richardsonian Romanesque.
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 77000194, listed December 22, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Main, Maple, Highland, and Reservoir Sts., Holden |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | December 22, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000194 |
| Resource type | District |
| Architect / builder | Stephen C. Earle (Damon Memorial Building, 1887); Martin Harrington (Town Hall, 1836); Lemuel Davis (Trowel Club); Samuel W. Armington (General Store) |
| Architectural style | Late Georgian to Richardsonian Romanesque; predominantly Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Military, Politics/Government, Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Marked occupied; the General Store's glass and aluminum storefront is described as the only incompatible element. The Town Hall has been in continuous use since 1836. |
| Acreage | 7.6 |
| Within district | Holden Center Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 42.35293, -71.86637 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 77000194.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5879459
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.