Henry and Walter L. Mellen Double House and Carriage House
41-43 Queen Street
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The Henry and Walter L. Mellen Double House is a large Shingle Style and clapboard structure that incorporates elements of Queen Anne architecture. Built in 1892 by mason and general contractor Henry Mellen as a duplex home for himself and Walter, his son and business partner, the house sits on a large, prominent lot directly across the street from the former Worcester City Hospital.
Although intended as two residences, it was designed to look like a single-family home. The eastern portion, 41 Queen Street, has a full front porch and a two-story, multi-sided tower at the east corner; while the western section, 43 Queen, has an enclosed porch that wraps around the west side to the home’s entrance.
The house is of wood frame construction, sided with wood clapboard on the ground floor and wood shingles on the upper floors. Each side has attic dormers, two-story bay windows, and decorative lattice-patterned windows. The property includes the original wood-shingled carriage barn, also built in 1892. The barn was likely used for the Mellen’s contracting and building business.
Due to its architectural significance as an excellent and remarkably intact example of Shingle Style design, the Mellen Double House has been recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately, the structure is in critical need of attention. At present, a number of the home’s windows are covered in plastic. The clapboard and shingle siding are severely weathered and deteriorating because it is sorely in need of painting.
After several years on Preservation Worcester’s internal watch list with no visible improvements and continued neglect, the Mellen Double House was moved to the Most Endangered Structures List in 2007. This year, it returns to the Most Endangered Structures List. Although the house has no liens or back taxes, it now appears to be vacant. There is considerable deterioration with broken windows and missing shingles. If further deterioration continues, we are sure to lose this architectural gem.