Sturbridge in Worcester County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Oliver Wight House

circa 1789

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

1. Oliver Wight House Marker

Inscription. This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1789.

Location. 42° 6.661′ N, 72° 5.459′ W. Marker is in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in Worcester County. It can be reached from Main Street (U.S. 20), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 369 Main St, Fiskdale MA 01518, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Quiet Corner

and in Greater Worcester.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Fordway at Tantiusque (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Where is the Farm? (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Architectural Style of the Salem Towne House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Millstones (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Millstones (approx. half a mile away); Fitch House Yard (approx. half a mile away); Getting Water (approx. half a mile away); The Fire Pit (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sturbridge.

Regarding Oliver Wight House. Excerpts from the National Register nomination:

It is an excellent and well preserved example of high style, late Georgian design, particularly the Worcester County type which features gable on hip or hip on hip roofs. Additionally, its hallway exhibits extensive murals attributed to Rufus Porter. …

The house was built c. 1789 by Oliver Wight (1753-1857), one of three brothers who built homes during the final decades of the eighteenth century in that portion of Sturbridge which became known as Wightville in the nineteenth century. …

In the early nineteenth century the house was sold to Ebenezer Howard who kept a hotel there, but it was returned to the Wight family in 1863 when it
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 30, 2024

2. Oliver Wight House Marker
Marker is at the far right corner of the house.
was purchased by George Wight. It remained in the Wight family until 1936 when it was purchased by Albert B. Wells for Old Sturbridge Village.

Also see . . .
1. Oliver Wight House (pdf). National Register nomination for the property, which was listed in 1982. (Prepared by Candace Jenkins and John 0. Curtis; via National Archives) (Submitted on November 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Oliver Wight House. Wikipedia entry on the property includes more information about Wight and the history of his house. (Submitted on November 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Oliver Wight (1765-1837) image. Click for full size.

The Beardsley Limner; via Colonial Williamsburg (Public Domain), circa 1786/93

3. Oliver Wight (1765-1837)

He worked as a cabinetmaker and built this house on land that his father had given him. The house, which remains in its original location, is now owned by Old Sturbridge Village.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.