Levenson, Morris, Three-Decker
Why it's listed
Built around 1920 at 38 Plantation Street in Worcester, this three-decker is a multi-family house in the Colonial Revival style. It belongs to a wave of eastward three-decker development in the 1910s and 1920s that produced a modest, ethnically mixed neighborhood. The wood-clad house has wide cut-shingle bands between the stories, a hip roof with an off-center front gable pediment holding a semi-circular light, and heavy modillion blocks under the cornice. An unusually wide three-tier porch rests on Doric columns that rise to shingle-covered arches, and the front window bay has floral stained glass. Its first known owner, Morris Levenson, was a clothing merchant who lived in the building. Tenants and later residents included a bookkeeper, a leather worker, chefs, a shipper and a pharmacist. It was listed for its local significance as an ornate, well-preserved example of its type and for its role in the area's growth. It has no outbuildings and has kept its original residential use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an unusually ornate example of the eastward spread of three-decker suburban development into the Plantation Street area in the 1910s and 1920s. It is also a remarkably well-preserved Colonial Revival three-decker with an elaborate array of details. It was judged significant at the local level.
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 89002446, listed February 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 38 Plantation St., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | February 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 89002446 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival Three-Decker |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, European, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential, the same as the original use. Condition is described as very good, with no major alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 42.25335, -71.78166 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 89002446.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6913784
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.