Historic Brookline and Newton

Historic New England Properties 559 Boylston 12 Balcarres 68 Monmouth 170 Chestnut

Newton was originally settled in 1630, as part of Cambridge, and later incorporated as a town in 1688. Later in 1873 it became a city. Newton Corner, and Upper and Lower Falls were the first settlements, encouraged by the establishment of early mills near the Charles River.

Early on, Brookline was a rural community consisting in the 1630's as farmland allotments to Boston citizens. In 1686, inhabitants of the Muddy River hamlet were granted exemptions from Boston taxes and allowed to manage their own town affairs and maintain their own school. In 1705, the town became a separate entity, named for the brooks that form natural boundries with its neighbors.

Alan Cohen is a certified Historic Homes Property Marketing Specialist

One of the joys of selling homes in this New England marketplace for a history fan like me is the opportunity to market some of the finest examples of 19th (and 18th) century architecture available. I have lived to tell about the blessings and burdens of renovating a Victorian home, and have been certified as a Historic Homes Property Marketing Specialist for Hunneman, by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts. Hunneman also offers a separate Historic Homes Division to take proper advantage of special marketing venues available.

Both Brookline and Newton showcase a wide assortment of older homes, many of which are acknowledged on the National Register of Historic Places. While many neighborhoods feature exceptional examples of distinct historic houses deemed worthy of recognition, not all are subject to local preservation requirements. The National Register is the nation's official list of building, districts, sites, structures and objects important in American history, culture, architecture, or archaeology. The State Register of Historic Places, maintained by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, is a master list of all designated historic properties in the Commonwealth. Listing in the National or State Registers does not restrict the right of property owners to alter, manage, or sell their property.

Brookline and Newton both have local historic preservation commissions to consider, advise, regulate and oversee building alterations in its local historic districts. In Brookline, the neighborhoods of Pill Hill (High Street Hill) and Cottage Farm are protected, and in Newton parts of Newton Upper Falls and Chestnut Hill carry certain restrictions with respect to alterations. In these neighborhoods, building permits will not be issued for visible alterations or repairs unless proper certificates are received from the Preservation Commission.

For more information about local historic commissions, contact The Jackson Homestead in Newton at 617.552.7238, and/or the Preservation Commission in Brookline at 617-730-2089.

Curb Appeal >Trees Improve Energy Efficiency Mature trees add "curb appeal" to a property and can make a home more energy efficient. Planted at the edges of a building, a tree's broad canopy of leaves softens the hard lines of architecture and offers shade. Trees absorb light reflected from the roof and decrease the air temperature surrounding your home through evaporation of moisture. The positioning of trees and shrubs around your home has a significant effect on how much you'll be paying to heat and cool your house each month. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, even one strategically placed tree can reduce your heating and cooling bill up to 25 percent. In general, deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides of the house keep the home cool during the summer and allow low-angle sun into the home during the winter. If you live on a windy hill or coastal bluff, planting evergreen trees or shrubs on the north and west sides of your structure will help protect your home from winter gusts and storms. Consult your landscape designer for advice about your particular property. See All Tips In The "Curb Appeal" Category > See Complete Library Of Hundreds Of Tips In 30+ Categories >

Q  Where is the world's largest wine cellar, and how big is it? A  A company in the center of the wine-growing district of South Africa has a cellar that covers an area of 54 acres and has a capacity of 27 million gallons. See More Real Estate Trivia >