Salisbury House
Why it's listed
Built in 1836-38 for Stephen Salisbury II, a wealthy Worcester figure, this 2½-story wood frame house on Harvard Street was designed and built by master builder Elias Carter, whose Worcester work it is said to surpass. Its Greek Revival design uses classical proportions and restrained ornament, including fluted Doric porches, a conservatory, wreathed oval windows and a spiral staircase rising through the central hall. The house was moved a few feet northwest in 1931 to avoid demolition when Harvard Street was widened. It became a local landmark, often shown in panoramic views and local histories. Stephen Salisbury III lived there after 1884 and helped found the Worcester Art Museum; at his death in 1905 he left the house to the museum's trustees, and it housed the Art Museum School from 1907 to 1939. The American Red Cross bought it in 1941 and refitted it as chapter headquarters, preserving its architectural character.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites both its architecture and its link to Stephen Salisbury II, its original owner. It is described as a fine Greek Revival example and one of the finest grand houses of Worcester's prosperous period. It is also noted as a good example of sensitive re-use as Red Cross headquarters.
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 75000837, listed June 10, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 61 Harvard St., Worcester |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | June 10, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75000837 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific dates 1836-38) |
| Architect / builder | Elias Carter |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned and occupied by the Worcester Chapter of the American Red Cross as its headquarters; condition listed as excellent; moved in 1931. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.27213, -71.80165 (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 75000837.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7404778
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.