Taft, Moses, House
Why it's listed
Built before 1855 on South Main Street in Uxbridge, this two-storey wood-frame house reflects the Italianate taste of the mid-nineteenth century. It sits on a rock-faced granite foundation under a pitched roof, with a rectangular front block and an eastward ell joining a former stable. The symmetrical facade has wide corner pilasters, bracketed capitals, a cornice with paired brackets and windows with moulded caps. Later changes include a Colonial Revival entry surround, removal of the original full-length porch, and a one-storey wing added around 1900-1920. It was built for Moses Taft, born in Uxbridge in 1812, who grew up in his father's satinet mill and later ran several textile ventures, including the Central Woolen Mill. He also served as a bank president, selectman and state representative. The house was listed for its architecture, its association with Taft, and its surviving integrity despite alterations.
Significance in brief: The house was one of the most opulent Italianate houses built in Uxbridge in the mid-nineteenth century, though it has since been altered. It is also associated with Moses Taft, a locally important woolen and satinet manufacturer and banker. The form states it meets criteria A, B and C and retains integrity of location, design, setting and workmanship.
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 83004139, listed October 7, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 66 S. Main St., Uxbridge |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | October 7, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004139 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.07418, -71.62744 (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 83004139.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6915952
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.