Marcy, Mrs. R., House
Why it's listed
Perched on a hilltop at 64 South Street in Southbridge, this large Queen Anne house dates from between about 1878 and 1898 and still serves as a residence, with a barn on the same lot. Its exterior shows the style's asymmetrical design, picturesque silhouette and broad roofs, along with rich surface texture from clapboards, three patterns of shingling, carved ornamental strips, bracketed eaves, slate roofs and patterned brickwork in the chimneys. It was first shown on an 1898 atlas as the property of Mrs. R. Marcy, identified as Rinda Marcy, widow of Merrick A. Marcy, probably linked to a family that settled in Southbridge in the 1730s. This stretch of South Street saw little building between the 1840s and 1880s, and the house is tied to the later development of the area. Smaller houses built nearby in the early twentieth century reduced its original lawn. It was listed for its Queen Anne design and its place in the town's late-19th century growth.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its link to the town's late-19th century real estate development and for its stylish Queen Anne design. It is described as a fine, well preserved, large and elaborate example that compares in size and design quality to the A.M. Cheney House. It meets criterion C at the local level and retains its integrity.
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 89000535, listed June 22, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 64 South St., Southbridge |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | June 22, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000535 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition described as good; present use is residential, with no major alterations and not moved. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.07737, -72.04056 (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 89000535.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6929858
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.