Needham's Historic District Commission meets Tuesday, Oct. 13 to consider advancing the circa-1727 James Smith House toward becoming the town's second Local Historic District.

The six-member commission's agenda lists a discussion and potential vote on the Preliminary Study Report for the proposed James Smith House Local Historic District. If approved, the report would move the property one step closer to joining the Jonathan Kingsbury House at 3 Rosemary St., which won Local Historic District status at Town Meeting in May 2024.

The James Smith House, on Great Plain Avenue, is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places. James Smith emigrated from Ireland to Boston in 1718 and settled in Needham before 1726, according to the Needham History Center. His son, Robert Smith, captained the East Needham militia company, fought at Arlington in 1775 and served throughout the Revolutionary War. Robert Smith also served as Selectman and Town Clerk.

The homeowner has expressed interest in the designation, the Needham Observer reported in June 2026.

The process is voluntary.

Under a Local Historic District, the commission reviews changes to exterior features visible from a public way. Interior changes are not restricted.

"We've lost more than we've saved," commission member Gloria Greis, executive director of the Needham History Center & Museum, said in a June 2026 Needham Observer article about the commission's preservation work. "Being able to create a durable preservation mechanism has a lot of value."

The study report vote was also listed on the commission's Sept. 23 agenda but does not appear to have been completed at that meeting. No minutes from the Sept. 23 session were available.

The commission is chaired by Alison Borrelli. Other members include Greis, Brian LeMay, Sara Squeglia, Lauren Soper and Moe Handel, who lives in the Kingsbury House, Needham's first Local Historic District.

Even if the commission approves the study report Tuesday, several steps remain. The process requires a 60-day waiting period after notifying the Massachusetts Historical Commission, a Planning Board public hearing and a two-thirds majority vote at Town Meeting, according to Needham Local.

The meeting begins at 1 p.m. in the Select Board Chambers at Town Hall, 1471 Highland Ave. It is also available via Zoom, webinar ID 875 5025 3771, passcode 840235.