What is the Auburndale Local Historic District?

The core of the Auburndale Local Historic District consists of two National Register Districts, four individually listed National Register properties, and one Local Landmark. The impetuous for the development of the neighborhood was Lasell College, and the historic Auburndale Congregational Church, which became a Local Landmark in 2004, which serve as the core of this historic district. The Auburndale area evolved in response to transportation patterns, real estate speculation, as well as growth in commuter housing, religious congregations, and higher education. Click to read more about Auburndale in Newton’s 19th Century Architecture: Auburndale, 1980.

Today, intact architectural examples located in the Auburndale district represent development in Newton, from the late 1840s to the early 21st century. The prominent architectural styles of the district include, Italianate, Second Empire, Shingle and Colonial Revival. Although the neighborhood evolved over a century and represents changing tastes in styles and plans of domestic architecture, there is a strong cohesiveness to this broad suburban neighborhood in size, scale, overall massing, and a richness of craftsmanship. Most of the historic properties in this neighborhood were built to appreciate its bucolic setting on large suburban lots away from the mechanics of urban living, and are evidence of the evolving lifestyle of a community rich with the legacy of entrepreneurs, intellectuals, clergy, artists and educators.

Application

Current (2026): Submission Dates, Agendas, Minutes, Meeting Recordings & Materials

Commission Members

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Auburndale Historic Resources:

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Archived Meeting Materials

Note: If you would like earlier materials that aren't in the below archived list, please send an email to historicpreservation@newtonma.gov.