Once painted and now slowly returning to its former glory, the Joel Howe House on Merriam Road is an example of a typical middle-class residence of the early 19th century in the community of Princeton. Joel Howe (1797-1864) was formerly a resident of Holden and came to Princeton to marry Lydia Merriam, who’s family had lived in the town since 1788. Joel worked as a blacksmith and reportedly maintained his blacksmith shop in the house and barn built in 1822 and still standing nearby. The family would move to West Boylston and Joel would sell the property to a colleague, fellow blacksmith, Benjamin F. Muzzy (1828-1887). In the late 19th century, the old brick residence was owned by Dr. Charles Edward Parker a notable physician in town. In the 20th century, the house was painted, but is slowly being worn off by time, giving the house a sort of vitiligo effect.
