Whitcomb Inn and Farm
Also known as: Whitcomb, David and Tilly House and Farm; Wheeler, Samuel, House and Farm
Why it's listed
Set on Old Sugar Road in Bolton, this 76-acre farm centers on a double saltbox house that grew in three 18th-century stages. The west section was built by David Whitcomb before 1708, a jet-by was added about a decade later, and a long east section followed near the end of the century. Whitcomb held a license in 1718 to sell drink at the house, making it the first tavern in Bolton, and his wife Mary, known as Doctress Mary Whitcomb, treated the sick with herbal medicines. The house keeps a rare fieldstone chimney and early framing details, while the barn across the road dates to the mid-19th century. In 1937-1938 architect and archaeologist Philip Phillips led a careful colonial-style restoration that shaped much of the present exterior. Open pastures, stone walls, trails and a pond preserve the rural setting, though Interstate 495 runs nearby. The property is recognized for its architecture, its early settlement history and its 1930s restoration work.
Significance in brief: The property is described as keeping the feeling of a colonial farm better than any other in Bolton. It is tied to the Whitcomb family, early settlers of the area, and to the first tavern in Bolton, licensed in 1718. It also shows a 1930s scholarly colonial restoration by architect and archaeologist Philip Phillips, and it retains a rural setting of 76 open acres.
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 02000431, listed May 2, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 43 Old Sugar Rd., Bolton |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | May 2, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000431 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | David Whitcomb (built original west house); Philip Phillips, architect/archaeologist (1937-1938 renovation) |
| Architectural style | Colonial: Postmedieval English; Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Operated as a small horse farm; current function listed as single dwelling and agriculture. |
| Acreage | 76.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.44630, -71.58293 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 02000431.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7994228
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.