Hughes-Meshural House

The Hughes-Meshural House is a witness to time and the transformation of its street. It is modest in size; it is not dilapidated in any sense, but it appears “dated” by contemporary standards. It is a detached, multi-family home, and has been for around one hundred years. 6 Hughes Place has experienced the changing social fabric of the Wooster Square neighborhood. It is dwarfed by the large estate homes on its left and condominium apartment buildings on its right and across from it. It is unclear why this property has remained in relatively good shape, without any sweeping renovations, for over two hundred years in the same spot. Rather than arguing that it is “rich in character” (somewhat of a platitude used to describe quirky structures), the property makes a case for its significance as a neighborhood monument of middle-class residential survival. Its endurance is worthy of examination.