Hubbard-Dawson House
Why it's listed
Set on a corner lot at 925 Main Street in Holden, this 2 1/2 story clapboard house began around 1847 as a vernacular Italianate dwelling with a five-bay facade, center gable and bracketed eaves. Around 1890 it was enlarged with additions, a porte cochere, and Queen Anne and Colonial Revival details such as a Palladian attic window, stained glass, a curved two-story porch and Roman Doric columns. The nomination describes it as one of Holden's largest and most elaborate surviving late 19th century homes. It was the residence of Charles Dawson (1832-1914) from 1877 to 1910. Dawson founded and led the Dawson Manufacturing Company, which ran the nearby Moss Brook Woolen Mill producing flannels, cheviots and cassimeres. The house stayed in the Dawson family until 1948. It has been divided into four apartments since about 1920, and the nominated area covers roughly half an acre around the house.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of Holden's largest and most elaborate surviving late 19th century residences, retaining high architectural integrity despite its evolution from Italianate to Queen Anne/Colonial Revival. It is also significant as the home of Charles Dawson, a local woolen mill owner who operated the Moss Brook Woolen Mill. It is tied to the growth of Holden's industrial 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 95001443, listed December 13, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 925 Main St., Holden |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | December 13, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95001443 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1847-1945 |
| Architectural style | Italianate; Queen Anne; Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Industry, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Divided into four apartments, as it has been since about 1920; described as little altered from its late 19th century state. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.34366, -71.85168 (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 95001443.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14715602
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.