Programs

The historical research on 27 Trenton Street, Charlestown, MA, documents the development and ownership of the William Hichborn House, built in 1858. Hichborn built the house for himself and his wife Harriet and worked as a ship-joiner. Hichborn’s 1897 memoir, Trip of the Ancients, recounts his return to 27 Trenton Street on August 1, 1896 after a trip to London. The family retained ownership until at least 1892. The property’s history is supported by deeds, maps, directories, and a memoir by Hichborn, reflecting its significance in Charlestown’s mid-19th-century residential growth.

The historical research on 23 and 25 Trenton Street, Charlestown, MA, details their concurrent development in 1869 on land parceled out and sold by William Hurd in February and March of that year. The properties, constructed as part of Charlestown’s residential expansion, have distinct development and ownership histories supported by deeds, maps, and directories. 25 Trenton was built by Merrill A. Green, a furniture packer. He resided in the house until at least 1912.

The house at 19 Salem Street, developed by James and John O. Frost, reflects Charlestown’s mid-19th-century residential growth. Sarah G. Webster’s brief ownership from 1866-1873 and subsequent mortgage arrangement with Wales S. Egerton highlight the financial complexities of property transactions during this period.

The row of houses at 1–4 Pleasant Street Court, likely constructed between 1808 and 1818, represents an early phase of Charlestown’s residential development. The coordinated sale of 2–4 in 1818 and Foss’s consolidation of all four properties by 1828 suggest a planned row of dwellings. The divergence of ownership by 1875 reflects the properties’ integration into the community, with families like the Dunnes, Cormiers and Kellys maintaining long-term ties to the area.

The house at 10 Austin Street, constructed in 1829 for Abijah Goodridge, emerged from his strategic subdivision of land acquired from William Austin, the street’s namesake. The significant tax valuation increase from 1828 to 1829 confirms the construction timeline. Goodridge’s brief ownership, followed by transfers to Winslow and Perkins, suggests the property’s role in Charlestown’s growing residential market, potentially as an investment rather than a primary residence.

The historical research on 23 and 25 Trenton Street, Charlestown, MA, details their concurrent development in 1869 on land parceled out and sold by William Hurd in February and March of that year. The properties, constructed as part of Charlestown’s residential expansion, have distinct development and ownership histories supported by deeds, maps, and directories. 23 Trenton Street was developed by Milton Lewis Perry Heustis who resided at 21 Trenton Street and sold it to Mary Mayo in 1869 whose family maintained ownership until at least 1885.

The Greek Revival double house at 5–7 Hathon Square, built circa 1845–1850, is a significant example of mid-19th-century Charlestown architecture, tied to the Hooper estate’s subdivision. Its historical associations with Leonard B. Hathon (5 Hathon Square) and Norman Y. Brintnall (7 Hathon Square), both prominent merchants, underscore its role in the community’s commercial and civic life. The property’s proximity to the Edes house, birthplace of Samuel F.B. Morse, adds to the cultural significance of Hathon Square’s 19th-century enclave.

The house at 27 Mt Vernon Street, built in 1848, reflects Charlestown’s mid-19th-century residential development, driven by Boston-based builders. The correction of the MHC form’s errors establishes Samuel T. Woodbury and Polly as the first owners, with Thomas B. Preston serving solely as a mortgagor. The property’s early history underscores its role in the maritime community of Charlestown, tied to Woodbury’s profession as a master mariner.

The historical research on 7 Mystic Street, Charlestown, MA, traces the property's early ownership and development based on records from 1856 and an 1875 map/census. The earliest documented evidence, from 1856 deeds, indicates that Adam s. Cottrell and John W. Brooks, both lumber merchants from Charlestown developed the property in about two months time, selling it to Charles E. Currier for $3,100. The property, part of Charlestown’s historic fabric near the Mystic River, reflects the area’s mid-19th-century development. Cottrell and Brooks, leveraging their lumber trade expertise, likely facilitated the rapid construction of the dwelling to meet the city’s residential stipulations.