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.

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