Spurr, John, House
Why it's listed
This two-story clapboard house stands on the east side of Main Street opposite Charlton Common. Built in the late eighteenth century, it was first taxed in 1798 and has a five-bay facade, a center entrance with fluted pilasters and a dentiled entablature, and a rear kitchen ell with an attached garage and shed. Its builder is not named. The house was the home of Major General John Spurr, born in 1759, who took part in the Boston Tea Party, fought at Bunker Hill and served in a Massachusetts regiment. He moved to Charlton in 1788 to claim 3,000 acres of confiscated Tory land acquired through his wife, became a state militia general and served in the General Court from 1805 to 1811. His sons also held public office. The house is noted as the only eighteenth-century dwelling near the Common, and for a hinged paneled wall between two upstairs chambers that can be raised to make one large room for gatherings.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant as the home of Major General John Spurr, a Charlton leader who took part in the Boston Tea Party and Revolutionary War actions. It is also described as one of Charlton's finest houses and the only eighteenth-century house in the Common area. A hinged paneled wall between the second-story north chambers is noted as unique in town.
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 76000293, listed April 26, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Main St., Charlton |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | April 26, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000293 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1788-1798 |
| Architectural style | Federal, Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Military, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a private residence, occupied; condition marked altered, original site. A rear garage and shed were added, and earlier barns were lost after the 1938 hurricane. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Within district | Charlton Center Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.13509, -71.96897 (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 76000293.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6258716
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.