Richard Temple Farm

Space, light, character: The Richard Temple Farm, encloses a very early house within its walls. The original house was built in 1671 as part of the early settlement of the Spencer Brook and is the oldest structure in the Barrett Farm Historic District. Thoughtful stewardship over the last century by the current owners has culminated in the conservation of the surrounding meadows and woodlands, preserving the rural character of this agrarian part of Concord. Enlarged and updated in Greek Revival style in the mid-18th century, the 6-bedroom house on a level 1.7-acre lot with a sunken garden in the stone barn foundation to the east, and a small cottage and additional outbuilding to the north. The farmhouse retains period details: wide floorboards, millwork, and 5 original fireplaces, including a diagonal fireplace in the front parlor. The curving front staircase, interior shutters and paneled fireplace cupboards, each of which feature a distinctive figure-eight cut out, may be attributed to the highly skilled cabinet maker, William Munroe, who invented an early design for pencils at the workbench still in the attached shop.