Rogers House
Why it's listed
Built in 1733 near the center of Holden, this small Cape-type cottage sits on about a quarter acre behind an original stone wall. The 1.5-story clapboard main block has a low gable roof, a central chimney and a three-bay facade. A one-story ell and a small barn extend from it, and all sections rest on granite foundations. The exterior has not been altered, and the interior has been restored to much of its early appearance. The house was listed for its age, its representative design and the people who lived in it. Early owners included Abraham Newton, who signed the 1740 petition to incorporate Holden, and Edmund Hall, a Revolutionary War soldier. Colonel Samuel Damon and his son, a mill owner and legislator, also held the property. Members of the Rogers family lived here for over a century, through 1940. Its story follows the town's shift from farming to milling and then to suburban living. Archaeological deposits may survive near the house and barn.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the oldest and most representative residential buildings in Holden, with integrity of location, design, workmanship and materials. Its succession of owners, including town founders, a Revolutionary soldier, mill owners and the Rogers family, parallels Holden's development from farming town to mill town to suburb. It also has potential for historic archaeological deposits near the house and barn.
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 82004471, listed June 1, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 28 Boyden Rd., Holden |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | June 1, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004471 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799, 1800-1899 (specific date 1733) |
| Architect / builder | Probably John Hubbard |
| Architectural style | Early Georgian vernacular Cape-type cottage |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition, occupied private residence, original site; exterior unaltered and interior restored to much of its original condition. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Within district | Holden Center Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 42.34991, -71.85755 (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 82004471.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7359296
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.