Sawyer Homestead
Also known as: Mary Sawyer's House; Mary's Little Lamb House
Why it's listed
Located on a small triangular lot in Sterling, Massachusetts, this modest farmhouse began in 1756 as a one-story Square Plan dwelling with three rooms around an off-center chimney. Over time it gained an eastern addition, a raised roof forming a half-story with bedrooms, and a mid-19th century rear ell holding a new kitchen, work room and pantry. Plain trim, six-over-nine windows and early interior woodwork survive, and the 20th century brought few changes. The Sawyer family lived here from the mid-18th century, and Mary Sawyer, born in 1806, is associated with the "Mary's Little Lamb" story. The nomination presents the house as one of Sterling's least altered small farmhouses, a type that survives less often than larger homes of wealthier families. A parcel across Rugg Road, once the barn site, is included. The property has been unoccupied since 1989 and shows decay, and archaeological potential is considered high.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the least altered examples in Sterling of a modest 18th-19th century farmhouse, with a Square Plan core and later additions that show changing New England living patterns. It is also tied to Mary Sawyer, born in 1806 and linked to the "Mary's Little Lamb" story, and to the Sawyer family's long occupation. Literature and social history are cited as areas of significance.
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 00001036, listed September 13, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 108 Maple St., Sterling |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | September 13, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00001036 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1756-1950 |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Early Republic, Mid 19th Century |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Literature, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Unoccupied since 1989; the house is largely intact but has suffered weathering, leaking roofs and structural failure in places, and the outbuilding is in a desperate state with a broken roof and listing walls. |
| Acreage | 33 |
| Coordinates | 42.42783, -71.72801 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 00001036.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7428736
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.