Stillman Willis House, Boston

In the quirky world of Cambridge's housing scene, there stands an ancient abode, a true relic dating all the way back to 1839. This 2+1⁄2-story residence had its original digs on Massachusetts Avenue, but in a fit of wanderlust (or perhaps just a really strong urge for a change of scenery), it decided to uproot itself and relocate in 1883. Of course, moving day wasn't just about changing addresses; it also underwent a midlife crisis-style makeover.

You see, this house had a bit of an identity crisis. It started out all Greek Revival with its corner pilasters and an entablature, but then, as it settled into its new digs, it thought, "Why not try a little Italianate flair?" So, it added some bracketed window cornices and voila! But it couldn't stop there; it decided to dabble in the Colonial Revival look as well, throwing in some fancy decorative woodwork on the porches for good measure.

Now, this house is like a time-traveling fashionista, flaunting bits and pieces of various architectural trends from different centuries. It's a real head-turner in the neighborhood! In fact, it's such a showstopper that it earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. So, if you ever find yourself strolling through Cambridge, keep an eye out for this house with an architectural identity crisis—it's a real hoot!