This gorgeous seven-bedroom Shaker house seeks a buyer in love with New England history and looking for extraordinary space—for living, working, making art, gathering, or pursuing projects. Spacious and bright, the house, built in 1840, is set on a large lot in a quiet neighborhood, with easily accessible hiking trails, in the highly sought-after school district of the Town of Harvard. Public transportation to Cambridge and Boston from nearby Ayer provides an easy commute into town. The building originally served as the “Office” for the communal religious group and was a multi-use building, as office, dormitory, guest quarters and a store where the Shakers sold their goods. The layout of the house still provides this kind of flexibility. There is also a gentle peacefulness to the house, a refuge from the world, a legacy of the Shakers’ devout simplicity.The house is large, but it never felt too large to those of us who grew up there, or to our mother, who lived there alone until she was 98. We mostly used the two central floors—the kitchen, living room, and other shared spaces on the first floor, and bedrooms on the second. On the floor above was our father’s study, where he worked undisturbed, while our mother had an art studio and ample storage space for her paintings. In our childhood, the basement became a theater and ping-pong room where neighborhood kids gathered. Outside, the house is surrounded by bountiful nature and a beautifully preserved Shaker Village. Do not be intimidated by its size. Focus on the simple beauty of the two central floors, with their impeccably preserved built-ins and pegboards from the height of Shaker design—and on the exciting possibilities of the additional spaces above and below.
For sale
$1,100,000
78 Shaker Rd, Harvard, MA 01451
7beds
7,012sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 1840
2.3 Acres Lot
$1,077,300 Zestimate®
$157/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
Beautifully preserved shaker villageQuiet neighborhoodSpacious and brightLarge lotSeven-bedroom shaker house
- 349 days
- 530
- 39
Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listed by:
John Petraglia 508-864-0583,
Petraglia Real Estate Services 508-476-7745,
Ryan Witkos 774-200-1541
Source: MLS PIN,MLS#: 73453731
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 7
- Bathrooms: 4
- Full bathrooms: 2
- 1/2 bathrooms: 2
Primary bedroom
- Features: Closet, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood
- Level: Second
- Area: 240
- Dimensions: 15 x 16
Bedroom 2
- Features: Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood
- Level: First
- Area: 195
- Dimensions: 13 x 15
Bedroom 3
- Features: Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood
- Level: Second
- Area: 210
- Dimensions: 14 x 15
Bedroom 4
- Features: Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood
- Level: Second
- Area: 195
- Dimensions: 13 x 15
Bedroom 5
- Features: Closet, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood
- Level: Second
- Area: 180
- Dimensions: 12 x 15
Primary bathroom
- Features: Yes
Bathroom 1
- Features: Bathroom - Half
- Level: First
- Area: 36
- Dimensions: 4 x 9
Bathroom 2
- Features: Bathroom - Full, Bathroom - With Tub & Shower, Flooring - Wood
- Level: Second
- Area: 56
- Dimensions: 7 x 8
Bathroom 3
- Features: Bathroom - Full, Bathroom - With Tub & Shower
- Level: Second
- Area: 120
- Dimensions: 8 x 15
Dining room
- Features: Closet, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood, Lighting - Sconce
- Level: First
- Area: 308
- Dimensions: 14 x 22
Family room
- Features: Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood
- Level: First
- Area: 255
- Dimensions: 15 x 17
Kitchen
- Features: Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood, Gas Stove
- Level: First
- Area: 210
- Dimensions: 14 x 15
Living room
- Features: Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood, Chair Rail
- Level: First
- Area: 476
- Dimensions: 14 x 34
Office
- Features: Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood
- Level: Second
- Area: 231
- Dimensions: 14 x 16.5
Heating
- Steam, Oil
Cooling
- None
Appliances
- Included: Electric Water Heater, Range, Dishwasher, Refrigerator
- Laundry: Laundry Closet, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood, Electric Dryer Hookup, Washer Hookup, First Floor
Features
- Closet, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Entry Hall, Sun Room, Home Office, Study, Play Room, Bedroom, Walk-up Attic, Internet Available - Unknown
- Flooring: Wood, Pine, Flooring - Wood
- Windows: Storm Window(s)
- Basement: Full,Finished,Walk-Out Access,Sump Pump
- Number of fireplaces: 1
- Fireplace features: Living Room
Interior area
- Total structure area: 7,012
- Total interior livable area: 7,012 sqft
- Finished area above ground: 7,012
Video & virtual tour
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 5
- Parking features: Attached, Under, Off Street
- Attached garage spaces: 3
- Uncovered spaces: 2
Accessibility
- Accessibility features: No
Features
- Patio & porch: Porch - Enclosed
- Exterior features: Porch - Enclosed, Garden
Lot
- Size: 2.3 Acres
- Features: Level
Details
- Parcel number: M:5 B:25,1533384
- Zoning: RES
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Antique
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Frame, Post & Beam
- Foundation: Stone, Granite, Irregular
- Roof: Slate
Condition
- Year built: 1840
Utilities & green energy
- Electric: Generator, Circuit Breakers, 200+ Amp Service
- Sewer: Private Sewer
- Water: Private
- Utilities for property: for Gas Range
Community & HOA
Community
- Features: Park, Walk/Jog Trails, Golf, Conservation Area, Highway Access, Public School
HOA
- Has HOA: No
Location
- Region: Harvard
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $157/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $1,525,600
- Annual tax amount: $23,876
- Date on market: 11/11/2025
- Listing terms: Contract
- Exclusions: Personal Property
- Road surface type: Paved
Estimated market value
$1,077,300
$1.02M - $1.13M
$7,587/mo
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 6/30/2026 | Listed for sale | $1,100,000$157/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73453731 Report a problem | ||
| 6/22/2026 | Contingent | $1,100,000$157/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73453731 Report a problem | ||
| 6/2/2026 | Price change | $1,100,000-8.3%$157/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73453731 Report a problem | ||
| 1/13/2026 | Price change | $1,200,000-7.7%$171/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73453731 Report a problem | ||
| 11/12/2025 | Listed for sale | $1,300,000$185/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73453731 Report a problem | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $23,876 +7.5% | $1,525,600 +2.3% |
| 2024 | $22,216 +3.6% | $1,491,000 +15.4% |
| 2023 | $21,452 +17.3% | $1,291,500 +26.5% |
| 2022 | $18,284 +6.6% | $1,020,900 +11.8% |
| 2021 | $17,152 +8.4% | $913,300 +6.6% |
| 2020 | $15,829 +5.2% | $857,000 -0.8% |
| 2019 | $15,047 -2.8% | $863,800 -4.3% |
| 2018 | $15,480 -0.7% | $902,600 +4.8% |
| 2017 | $15,582 +5.1% | $860,900 +4.8% |
| 2016 | $14,828 | $821,500 |
Find assessor info on the county website
Monthly payment
Est. payment
Payment breakdown
Explore the cost of this home by adjusting the details. Changes won't be saved.Climate risks
Neighborhood: 01451
Nearby schools
Schools provided by the listing agent
- Elementary: Hildreth
- Middle: Bromfield
- High: Bromfield
Source: MLS PIN. This data may not be complete. We recommend contacting the local school district to confirm school assignments for this home.
Similar homes
- $1,399,0005 bd5 ba4.5k sqft101 Ayer Rd, Harvard, MA 01451For Sale
MLS ID #73588507, The Piracini Group, eXp Realty LLC - Corporate Office. MLS PIN - $884,6008 bd3 ba4.4k sqft9 & 9A Abigail Dr, Hudson, MA 01749For Sale
MLS ID #73594946, Scott McGee, RE/MAX Properties. MLS PIN - $1,195,0004 bd3 ba3.8k sqft525 Old Harvard Rd, Boxboro, MA 01719For Sale
MLS ID #73591355, Amy Balewicz Homes, Keller Williams Realty Boston Northwest. MLS PIN - $1,025,0006 bd5 ba7k sqft194 Center Rd, Shirley, MA 01464For Sale
MLS ID #73547145, Knox Real Estate Group, William Raveis R.E. & Home Services. MLS PIN
