Researching Your Home's History

Have you ever wondered about the history of your home? Newton is chock full of historic houses, and residents of the Garden City have access to many historical resources that can reveal the unique history of their home.

So how do you get started? Visit , where the historic property surveys of the city are stored. In the archives, there are thousands of records on homes in Newton that were built in 1907 or earlier, and you can access them to learn about the history and the architectural features of your home. These files are the outcome of a survey of historic structures in Newton that took place throughout the 1970s and 80s, and collectively they provide a wealth of information about the history of Newton’s built environment.

If you are curious about who used to live in your house, or who the original owner was, you should visit the and look through their collection of City Directories. Published approximately every two years from 1868 through 1985, city directories can be searched by owner name or by street address and will tell you who lived in the house, where they worked and what they did for a living. City directories are also a great resource for people who are studying their family history.

Still curious? You can also look at historical atlases of the city, which are available at the Jackson Homestead and Museum, on microfilm at the Newton Free Library and online on the City of Newton’s webpage. By examining the city atlases, you can learn who used to own your property, when your house was built and watch the city develop around your home over time.

If, like me, you are obsessed with maps, you can even have the atlas plate with your home printed. Historic Newton works with Newton resident Peter Kastner and his company, Community Heritage Maps, to provide historical atlas prints from a variety of different atlases and in all different sizes. They make beautiful decorations for your home and a terrific gift for friends and family.

And if you're still craving knowledge, you can visit the Middlesex County Registry of Deeds in Cambridge. Deeds for your home are on file there, which you can see at your request.

Our homes are center of our lives. They provide us with shelter, comfort and a venue for all the special moments we share with our families. Researching the history of your home can be extremely enlightening; adding layers of detail and richness of knowledge that you may not otherwise appreciate.  Learning more about your home can make you a better homeowner, neighbor, and citizen; it will enrich your lives and those of your family and community.