Judson-Litchfield House
Why it's listed
Built of brick between about 1830 and 1837, this house at 313 South Street in Southbridge is an early example of the gable-front, side-entry form that later became the most common residential type in Massachusetts. It looks much like a Greek Revival house, but it keeps Federal features: a low arched blinded fanlight in the pediment, a recessed arched entrance, three-quarter length sidelights, a six-panel door and delicate cornice proportions. Samuel Judson, an owner of the Westville cotton mill, is credited with building it, reportedly to rival two imposing brick houses in the town center. It was built on the site of Capt. Samuel Newell's house. By 1870 it was the home of Libya Litchfield, an owner and treasurer of the Litchfield shuttle factory, a leading local industry into the early twentieth century. The factories of both men are gone, so the house is a surviving link to the area's industrial growth. A side porch was added around 1875.
Significance in brief: The house is an early, well-preserved example of the gable-front, side-entry house type, with Federal details and Greek Revival ornament. It is also tied to Southbridge's mill economy through Samuel Judson, a Westville cotton mill owner, and later Libya Litchfield of the Litchfield shuttle factory. Its use of brick is notable in the town.
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 89000539, listed June 22, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 313 South St., Southbridge |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | June 22, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000539 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; built by Samuel Judson |
| Architectural style | Federal/Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use residential; condition listed as excellent. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 42.07626, -72.04974 (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 89000539.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6304204
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.