Feature Property
Lottery houses
John Robbins House
Located on Great Road in Acton is John Robbins’ imposing, two-story transitional Georgian/Federal-style house that boasts a formal classical entry door surround, lavish interior woodcarvings based upon plates from William Pain’s 1792 work, Practical Builder, stencil work attributed to Moses Eaton, and iron and brass door hardware. The house was once part of a prosperous 230-acre farm and today is home to Powers Gallery, a thriving art gallery. The house is protected as part of Historic New England’s Stewardship Program with an easement that protects all exterior elevations of the house, as well as select interior features, including plaster walls, woodwork, fireplaces, softwood floors, door and window hardware, and decorative painting. The John Robbins House is open to the public, who are welcome to enjoy the property, tour the sculptures on display on the grounds, and view the artwork for sale in its rooms and carriage shed. For more information about the Powers Gallery contact Lawrence Powers at (978) 263-5105 or Lawrence@PowersGallery.com.
Abel Conant House
It is believed that Abel Conant began
construction of his house on Main Street in Acton, in 1793 and used his
winnings to complete it. The house was extensively altered c. 1880 with
the removal of its center chimney and addition of bay windows and
porches. However, the house remains a private home today in the
ownership of the Conant Family.
Abraham Skinner House
This
two-and-one-half story house on Nagog Hill Road was built by Dr. Abraham
Skinner, Acton’s resident physician. Dr. Skinner ran a hospital out of
the house and cared for smallpox victims there during outbreaks in the
early 1800s. In 1810, the house was sold to Charles Tuttle who
established an apple orchard on the property. Remodeled in the
mid-nineteenth century in the Greek Revival style, the house remains a
private residence.
Calvin Heywood House
Originally
constructed c. 1797 on the corner of Brook Road and Great Road, the
Calvin Heywood House was moved in 1969 to its current location at 160
Great Road and converted into commercial retail use. While little of its
interior survives intact, the original center chimney, hipped-roof and
multi-paned window sash remain.
