Holland-Towne House
Why it's listed
Built in 1752 on a rise in northern Petersham, this one-and-a-half story, center-chimney farmhouse is a well-preserved example of the Cape Cod form. It has hand-hewn, pegged timber framing, a fieldstone foundation and a three-bay south facade. Inside, the original plan survives, along with a sliding candle shelf, a built-in cupboard that held a fold-down bed, and wrought-iron ceiling eyes that probably supported a cradle or bed hangings. A vertically sheathed barn of about 1800 or earlier stands nearby, and hay is still cut in the surrounding meadows, which are bordered by early stone walls. The farm was established by Jonas Holland, whose family began the town's first brickmaking operation on the hill behind the house. His sons Park and Luther took part in Shays' Rebellion. The property is recognized for its agricultural history, its early architecture and its association with the Hollands, and about sixteen and a half acres are included.
Significance in brief: The house is among Petersham's earliest surviving dwellings and a rare local example of mid-eighteenth-century domestic architecture. It survives with its fields, stone walls, barn and forest land intact, showing the region's agricultural development. It is also tied to the Holland family, who began brickmaking in town, and to brothers Luther and Park Holland, who took part in Shays's Rebellion.
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 89002327, listed August 13, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SR 32, Petersham |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | August 13, 1990 |
| Reference number | 89002327 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1752 - 1939 |
| Architect / builder | Holland, Jonas; Holland, Captain Park; Holland, Luther |
| Architectural style | Colonial / Cape Cod |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Well maintained and occupied occasionally as a summer cottage; the barn houses farm machinery used for haying, and a preservation easement was donated in 1987. |
| Acreage | 16.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.50055, -72.18445 (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 89002327.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5880849
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.