National Historic Landmark

Rumford, Count, Birthplace

Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Listed
May 14, 1975
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
75001942

About this property

The Benjamin Thompson House (also known as the Count Rumford Birthplace) is a historic house museum and National Historic Landmark at 90 Elm Street, in the North Woburn area of Woburn, Massachusetts. It is significant as the birthplace of scientist and inventor Benjamin Thompson (1753–1814), who became Count Rumford of the Holy Roman Empire as well as Sir Benjamin Thompson of the United Kingdom. His birthplace was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975 in recognition of Rumford's scientific accomplishments, which notably include the development of the Rumford fireplace, a fireplace design that was significantly more efficient at retaining heat in the house than older and larger fireplaces.

Location

90 Elm St.
Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
42.50798, -71.16116

Categories

SCIENCE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Civil War
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Notable People
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Nearby Historic Sites

Jack's Diner
Industrial
0.1 mi
1790 House
Colonial
0.3 mi
Baldwin, Loammi, Mansion
Industrial
0.4 mi
US Post Office-Wakefield Main
Industrial
0.5 mi
Lewis House
Industrial
1.7 mi

Nearby Battles

King Philip's War – Raid on Woburn MA 1676
1676Colonial
1.5 mi
Battle of Lancaster (King Philip's War)
1676Colonial
3.7 mi
Battle of Lexington – Parker's Stand
1775Revolutionary War
5.4 mi
Battle of Lexington
1775Revolutionary War
5.4 mi
Lexington Green — Parker's Stand
1775Revolutionary War
5.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Rumford, Count, Birthplace listed on the National Register?

Rumford, Count, Birthplace was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 14, 1975.

What type of historic resource is Rumford, Count, Birthplace?

Rumford, Count, Birthplace is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Rumford, Count, Birthplace a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Rumford, Count, Birthplace has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Rumford, Count, Birthplace?

The period of significance for Rumford, Count, Birthplace is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Rumford, Count, Birthplace?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Rumford, Count, Birthplace will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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