Hudson House
Also known as: Hudson Homestead
Why it's listed
Hudson House is a farmhouse on Hudson Road in Oxford, Massachusetts, built in 1720 by William Hudson, one of the town's thirty original English settlers. The land grant dates to 1713. The clapboard house rises 2½ stories under a ridge roof, with a central chimney, a symmetrical five-bay south facade and six-over-six windows. A one-story ell and an attached two-story barn/shed extend from the rear. The entryway was altered in 1790, when Federal-style sidelights were added; otherwise the building remains close to its original state. It is described as the oldest surviving building in Oxford. The Hudson family held it for 242 years, and the land has been farmed for more than two centuries. The Hudsons took part in local politics and in organizing the town militia in the 1740s. Because the farm was isolated, it was often the scene of conflict with Native Americans, and the family once took refuge in a garrison house for two weeks.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its condition and original architectural character and for its continued use as a working farm. It stayed in the Hudson family for 242 years. It is described as the oldest surviving building in Oxford and a classic self-sufficient colonial New England farm.
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 78000480, listed February 8, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NE of Oxford on Hudson Rd., Oxford |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | February 8, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000480 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Architect / builder | William Hudson |
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as close to its original state, apart from an 1790 entryway alteration. Condition is marked excellent and the property is in private ownership. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.14224, -71.83620 (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 78000480.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5928740
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.