Woburn Street Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Woburn Street Historic District
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Corner of Woburn Street and Summer Avenue
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Reading, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1795 |
| Architect | Adden, Willard P.; Et al. |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century Revival, Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Late Victorian |
| MPS | Reading MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 85000551 |
| Added to NRHP | February 1, 1985 |
The Woburn Street Historic District is a special area in Reading, Massachusetts. It includes a two-block section of Woburn Street. This area is known for its beautiful homes built in the late 1800s.
The district covers about 10 acres (4 hectares). It stretches along Woburn Street from Summer Street to Temple Street. You can find sixteen houses here, each on a nice-sized lot. The street itself is very pretty, lined with many trees. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's officially recognized as an important place in history.
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What Makes Woburn Street Special?
Woburn Street is one of the oldest streets in Reading. Parts of it even appeared on a map from 1765. For a long time, the area was mostly farmland. But in the late 1800s, things changed. The railroad made it easier for people to live outside the city. This led to new homes being built along Woburn Street.
Oldest Homes in the District
Some houses in the district are very old. The house at 201 Woburn Street was built around 1795. It is the oldest house in the district. It was first built in the Federal style, which was popular back then. Later, it got a new front porch in the Colonial Revival style.
Other older homes from the early 1800s are also here. There are two houses built in the Greek Revival style. Another house is in the Italianate style. This Italianate house was actually moved to the area around 1908. It became the rectory, or home, for the Saint Agnes Church.
Who Lived in the Woburn Street District?
Many important people lived in the Woburn Street Historic District. Their homes show the history of the area.
- The house at 206 Woburn Street is a Shingle style building. It was the home of a famous architect named Horace G. Wadlin.
- Edward Appleton, who owned a railroad, lived at 201 Woburn Street.
- A shoemaker named Daniel Pratt also lived at 201 Woburn Street.
- Another architect, Willard P. Adden, lived there too.
- Richard W. Francis, who owned a local hardware store, lived at 216 Woburn Street.
- One of the people who started and directed the First National Bank in Reading lived at 177 Woburn Street.
Architectural Styles of the Homes
The houses in the Woburn Street Historic District show different building styles. Most of them are either Colonial Revival or Queen Anne style. Even one of the older Greek Revival houses was updated to look like a Queen Anne style home.
- Houses at 183 Woburn Street and 228 Woburn Street are great examples of the Colonial Revival style. This style brings back ideas from early American homes.
- There is also one house built in the Craftsman style. You can find it at 207 Woburn Street. This style focuses on natural materials and handmade details.
