Jerome Marble House, Worcester

The Jerome Marble House is a prime example of Second Empire architecture, designed by the noted architectural firm E. Boyden & Son and completed in 1867. This historic house stands out as one of the few in the city for which the architect is definitively known. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the Jerome Marble House has been remarkably well-preserved and now serves as professional office space, allowing it to maintain its relevance and utility in modern times.

Jerome Marble, a prominent dealer in pharmaceuticals and chemicals, commissioned the house. Marble also held a significant role as a director of the Quinsigamond Bank and was involved in an ambitious, though ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to establish an excursion railroad. His residence reflects his stature and ambition, featuring the opulent and distinct characteristics of the Second Empire style, which was popular in the United States during the late 19th century.

Architecturally, the house is notable for its symmetry and the elegant detailing typical of the Second Empire style. The main facade is distinguished by polygonal bays that extend to the roof level, flanking a central entrance. This entrance is highlighted by an open porch that spans the inner front corners of the bays. Above the porch, on the second level, two narrow round-arch windows are set within a single segmented-arch opening, adding to the visual appeal. The building's corners are accented with brick quoining, providing a sturdy and decorative element to the structure.

The windows of the flanking bays are framed in rectangular openings, with stone beltcourses serving as sills and stone lintels above, enhancing the house's refined aesthetic. The distinctive mansard roof, a hallmark of the Second Empire style, is punctuated with dormers featuring various designs, including round-arch openings and windows with center-gable caps and pointed-arch windows.