Cooper-Frost-Austin House, 1681
21 Linnaean Street
Cambridge, Mass. 02138
CooperFrostAustinHouse@HistoricNewEngland.org

Directions

Open : May 17 and August 9, 12-4pm. Tours on the hour. Last tour at 3pm.

Admission : $5, Historic New England members free.

Group tours available with advanced reservations. Please call 781-259-8098, June 1 through October 15.

The Cooper-Frost-Austin House is clearly documented as the oldest dwelling still standing in the City of Cambridge. Built by Samuel Cooper in 1681, the house was one of the earliest examples of a integral lean-to "half house," comprising a "low room," "little room," "kitchin," "Chamber," "kitchin Chamber," "Garret," and "Cellar." Other original features include a pilaster chimney and a facade gable.

Shortly after Samuel Cooper's death in 1718, his son Walter extended the house to the west, thus completing the main block of the house and presenting a symmetrical facade elevation. The earliest remaining sash in the house dates from Walter Cooper's ownership.

The house was further enlarged by Martha Frost Austin and Thomas Austin during their residency from 1807 to 1816. They constructed a long shed and carriage house at the west end, added an enclosed entry porch, and introduced a Federal staircase and similarly styled trim.

Succeeding generations undertook alterations to the fireplaces and applied various interior finishes. However, despite the many changes made, the early frame and much original finish detail survived intact, facilitating the restoration process that SPNEA, now known as Historic New England, began shortly after acquiring the house in 1912.

Among the features that have been revealed by Historic New England are c. 1690 molded sheathing in the main hall and chamber above, c. 1720 paneling in the western portion of the house, and original masonry detail in the fireplaces.