North Village Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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North Village Historic District
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Josiah Billings House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lancaster, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 41 acres (17 ha) |
| Built | 1717 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000199 |
| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1977 |
The North Village Historic District is a special area in Lancaster, Massachusetts. It's like a time capsule of a small village from the 1800s. This district has many old houses, most built in the early 1800s or even earlier. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This means it's recognized as an important historical place in the United States.
Exploring North Village's Past
The town of Lancaster is very old. It was founded way back in 1643. The North Village area began to be settled in 1717. A man named John Bennett built his house there that year. His house is still standing today, right in the middle of the district.
Around the year 1800, the village started to grow. More houses were built. Small businesses also opened up. These included a tannery, which processed animal hides. There was also a machine shop and an inn for travelers.
Over time, these small industries became less important. The village then became mostly a group of homes. These homes were built in the 1700s and 1800s.
What Makes the Buildings Special?
The historic district starts at a triangular green space. This green is formed by Main Street and Otis Street. It stretches west towards the Nashua River.
There are 22 buildings in the district. Only three of them were built after the 1800s. All the buildings are made of wood. They are either 1-1/2 or 2-1/2 stories tall. They have windows with sashes. Their outside walls are covered with clapboard siding.
John Bennett's house is a large building. It also served as a tavern in the past. Most other buildings were built before 1860. They show popular styles from that time. These styles are called Federal and Greek Revival. They are simple versions of these classic designs.
