Otis Putnam House, Worcester

The Otis Putnam House, constructed in 1887 and designed by the architectural firm Fuller & Delano, stands as a distinguished example of Queen Anne architecture in Worcester,. Built for Otis Putnam, a prominent local department store owner, the house is notable for its elegant design and historical significance. Putnam, originally from Leicester, rose through the ranks to become a leading partner in one of Worcester's largest department stores. He also served as a director of the local electric company and the Worcester and Holden Street Railway Company, cementing his status as a key figure in the city's economic development.

The house itself is a 2½-story brick structure set on a stone foundation, featuring a front-facing gable roof. Its roughly rectangular plan is punctuated by asymmetrical projecting sections that add to its Queen Anne charm. The east-facing front facade is particularly striking, with a two-story porch recessed under the main gable. The first-floor section of the porch projects outward, covered by a shed roof across part of its width and a gable above the granite steps, creating a welcoming entrance.

The second-floor porch, supported by turned posts set on shingled piers, features a latticework frieze that adds a delicate, decorative touch. The main gable is framed in wood and finished with shingles arranged in a wavy pattern, enhancing the textural variety typical of Queen Anne style. At the center of the gable is a projecting bay with two round-arch windows, providing a focal point that draws the eye upward. The first-floor windows are set in segmented-arch openings with brick lintels, while the second-floor windows have square openings with stone lintels, all contributing to the building’s refined aesthetic.

A band of decorative brickwork serves as a frieze below the roofline, further embellishing the house's exterior. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the Otis Putnam House has been preserved and repurposed to house offices, allowing it to remain a vibrant part of Worcester's architectural heritage.