Parson Capen House
Listed as “Capen, Parson, House”
About Parson Capen House
Parson Capen House, at Howlett St., was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Oct 15, 1966: the first place in Topsfield to be listed. It was named a National Historic Landmark on Oct 9, 1960, one of 189 in Massachusetts. Only 0 of Massachusetts’s 4,457 listings are older. The Register lists it for its architecture, at the national level. The listing covers 1.1 acres.
What it isBuilt in 1683 as the home of local pastor the Reverend Joseph Capen. From Wikidata (CC0). Read about it on Wikipedia ↗
PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 112 MB · National Archives↗1960 to today
- 1960Named a National Historic Landmark
- 1966Added to the National Register of Historic Places
- 2026On the Register for 60 years
Make it a walk: 2 landmarks in about 5 minutes
Howlett St., Topsfield · about 0.1 miles on foot, as the crow flies
- 1Parson Capen HouseStart here
- 2
Topsfield Town Common DistrictDistrict · next door
9 more Register listings within 2 miles
★ National Historic Landmark · D district · B building · S site. Each opens its own page.
Other National Historic Landmarks nearby
The nearest Landmarks with a photo, within 25 miles, and the year each was named.
Memories of Parson Capen House
The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Questions about Parson Capen House
Is Parson Capen House on the National Register of Historic Places?
Yes. It was added on Oct 15, 1966 (Register number 66000139).
Is Parson Capen House a National Historic Landmark?
Yes, since Oct 9, 1960. Massachusetts has 189 National Historic Landmarks.
Can you visit Parson Capen House?
Yes: it is open to visitors. Check opening times before you go.
Where can I read the history of Parson Capen House?
In its National Register nomination, the form that put it on the Register: a 112 MB PDF at the National Archives, linked on this page.
Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 63793679 · Wikidata. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.