20 Bradford Street

20 Bradford Street, at the center. [2014, Dunlap]


Before the red paint job and shed dormers. [2004, Massachusetts Historical Commission]


And after. [2008, Dunlap]


The current coat of tomato red paint does much to draw the eye to this sweet little house, built between 1850 and 1870. There is a long Portuguese association at 20 Bradford Street. You could almost say it goes back to the 1850s, when Rita Amelia Perry was born on Faial in the Azores. She lived in this house until her death in 1948.

At least two of her daughters lived here at one time or another: Emma Elizabeth (Perry) Ventura (1893-1970) and Minnie Elizabeth (Perry) Silva (1888-1962). Emma’s son Arthur Marcellines Ventura (1926-2005) was living here in 1933, when he received his first communion. Another son, Francis John “Frank” Ventura (1923-2003), became the owner in 1953. His niece, Cathan R. Ventura, next owned the property, through 2005. At its last sale, in 2021, it was valued at $1.3 million.


¶ Last updated on 24 November 2022.


In memoriam

• Arthur Marcellines Ventura (1926-2005)

Find a Grave Memorial No. 139193854.

• Emma Elizabeth (Perry) Ventura (1893-1970)

Find a Grave Memorial No. 139185335.

• Francis John “Frank” Ventura (1923-2003)

Find a Grave Memorial No. 139194161.

• Minnie Elizabeth (Perry) Silva (1888-1962)

Find a Grave Memorial No. 128347930.


20 Bradford Street on the Town Map, showing property lines.



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