Wood, Nathan, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1756 on a proprietor's lot southeast of Westminster's town center, this timber-frame farmhouse rises two and a half stories from a fieldstone foundation. Its five-bay west facade has a central entrance with a dentilated pediment, and a central chimney sits behind a lobby and stair, with parlors to either side and a kitchen across the rear. Four fireplaces, raised panelling, wide-board floors and original door hardware survive inside. A late 19th-century rear ell and a plank-faced barn of about 1820 complete the farmstead. Nathan Wood, who came from Concord in 1756, became a prominent townsman, serving as selectman, deacon and Westminster's first representative to the General Assembly. His son Abel and grandson Benjamin Franklin Wood also held public roles, and the family kept the property until 1898. The house is regarded as one of the oldest and best-preserved 18th-century residences in town, typical of Worcester County houses of its period.
Significance in brief: The house is one of the oldest and most intact 18th-century residences in Westminster, keeping its mid-Georgian styling, plan and original interior finishes. It is also tied to the Wood family, who held public office and owned the property for 134 years. The form cites Criteria B and C at the local level.
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 87000375, listed September 16, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 164 Worcester Rd., Westminster |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | September 16, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000375 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1756-1898 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Georgian (mid-Georgian) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; the property is once again being worked as a farm. Described as in excellent condition and unaltered, on its original site. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 42.52421, -71.89117 (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 87000375.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6969433
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.