Worcester House

The Worcester House, constructed originally in 1802 in the Federal style with later Greek Revival modifications dating from c 1840, is sited on the north side of Andover Street, facing south. It is located approximately 1½ miles east of Lowell's downtown and 14 miles west of North Tewskbury. The house and its detached barn are set back considerably from Andover Street. The nominated parcel comprises 1.6 acres and includes lawn, woods, and an unpaved drive. The surrounding area was subdivided in the late 19th century with residential construction occurring along Andover Street during the early 20th century and on the side streets mid-century. Prior to that time, it was farmland with a scattering of early-mid 19th century houses.

Andover Street was the 18th century route linking East Chelmsford (now Lowell) and North Tewksbury. The ground plan of the main house is rectangular (A) with a two-story ell at the northeast corner which appears to be original (B). ' Between 1924 and 1936 two additions were constructed, one a two-story extension of the ell (C) and the other a screen porch (D) (see attached or the ell (0) site plan). The additions (C&D), are not considered to be contributing elements. The main house is 2½ stories in height and has a fúll basement beneath it and the ell. The roof is a medium-pitched gable covered with asphalt shingles. The roof of the ell is like- wise gabled, framed perpendicularly to the main house.

Three chimneys rise from the main house: two from in front of the ridge and one from the rear; a fourth chimney projects from the ell extension. The walls are clad in butt end clapboards. The foundation of the main house and ell is granite while that of the extension is fieldstone.

/Architect Unknown Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Worcester House and its barn possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. little-altered vernacular farmhouse with an early barn that has retained vestiges of its saze tearules eo thitn the Cry o T.oke l. The property is significant architecturally as a rural setting, both rare features within the City of Lowell. Historically, the house is associated with Lowell's early agricultural tradition and stands on land associated with an early Tewksbury family for over two hundred years. Thus, the property meets Criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places.

The land on which the property stands was part of Tewksbury until 1906 when a large tract was annexed to Lowell. It had been part of a. 3,000 acre grant awarded to the widow of Governor Winthrop in 1641. Bounded by the Concord and Merrimack Rivers on the west and north, the grant had included much of present-day North Tewksbury as well as the annexed lands. In 1691 600 acres were purchased from Mrs. Winthrop by Samuel Hunt who, through his efforts to incorporate the town, is generally recognized as the "Father of Iewksbury." In 1748 Moses Worcester (d. 1756) bought sixty-five acres from Hunt; his descendents re- mained here until 1954. Moses and his family occupied an early garrison house that had been érected by Hunt.

Known as the "Block House' - It stood on the south side of Andover Street until the early-mid 19th century. According to local historical records of the 1890s, the Worcester House was erected in 1802 by Moses' grandson Eldad (1763-1853).