Built 1848 Opened 1848 Added to NRHP 9 January 1978 | NRHP Reference # 78000457 Area 7,689 m² | |
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Location 35 Webster Street, Newton, Massachusetts Architectural style Greek Revival architecture Similar Newton Free Library, United Parish of Auburndale, Beaver Brook Reservation, Wellfleet Drive‑In Theater, Jackson Homestead | ||
07 10 2012 nathaniel topliff allen homestead
The Nathaniel Topliff Allen Homestead is a historic house at 35 Webster Street in the village of West Newton, in Newton, Massachusetts. The Greek Revival house is notable as the home of educator Nathaniel Topliff Allen, an innovative educator of the mid-19th century who operated an experimental school on the premises. Allen's pioneering work was influential in the development of new teaching methods taught at the state normal school (established in Newton, now Framingham State University). The house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, at 25 Webster Street. The property is now owned by Newton Cultural Alliance.
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Description and history
The Allen Homestead is located at the northeast corner of Webster and Cherry Streets, one block north of the center of West Newton village in a residential area. The homestead consists of a series of connected wood-frame structures, of which the main house is a 2-1/2 story Greek Revival house with a temple front facing Webster Street. This was built in c. 1848-52, probably by Milo Lucas, a local builder. Behind this block (to the north) is a two-story flat-roofed structure, built in the late 19th century as a dormitory space. This is joined on the right (east) side to the schoolhouse, a 2-1/2 story gable-roofed structure.
Nathaniel Topliff Allen was hired in 1847 by Horace Mann, the Massachusetts Secretary of Education, to operate a model school in Newton, at which students could be taught using methods developed at the nearby normal school. Allen's school became an internationally-renowned showcase for teaching methods, and rapidly outgrew its facilities. When the normal school moved to Framingham (becoming the school now known as Framingham State University), Allen purchased its building and this house to continue running his school. Allen's innovations included the first-ever kindergarten, and an emphasis on physical fitness, exemplified in part by the school's large (for the period) gymnasium.