Wood, Ahijah, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1795 by farmer Ahijah Wood, this brick house on Worcester Road in Westminster, Massachusetts, is a vernacular Federal-style farmhouse. It stands two and a half stories high on a fieldstone foundation, with Flemish bond brickwork, a five-bay front, a central entry and a steep double-hipped roof, the only one of its kind in Westminster. Inside, it keeps its original double-pile plan with a central hall, molded paneling and a folding partition on the second floor. Some changes have occurred, including altered window framing, replaced sash and a lost rear ell. Ahijah Wood was a Revolutionary War soldier and town official. His son Aaron was an abolitionist and temperance supporter, and his grandson Theodore built the property into the model dairy operation known as Maplewood Farm. The Wood family held the house until 1902. It was listed for its architecture and for its link to this prominent local family.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is architecturally significant as a well-preserved vernacular Federal country dwelling, and the only double-hipped roof in Westminster. It is historically significant for its association with the Wood family, prominent local farmers and town officials who owned it until 1902.
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 87000374, listed September 17, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 174 Worcester Rd., Westminster |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | September 17, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000374 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1795-1902 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (built by Ahijah Wood, according to the narrative) |
| Architectural style | Federal (vernacular) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence at the time of the nomination; the form says its immediate future was uncertain after a recent change of ownership. |
| Acreage | 7 |
| Coordinates | 42.52274, -71.89250 (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 87000374.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4695107
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.