Officials seek public tips in unsolved 2025 blaze that destroyed restored 19th-century home; reward of up to $5,000 offered
Reading, MA — The investigation into the July 9, 2025, fire at 186 Summer Avenue remains active, and authorities are seeking the public’s help.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., an off-duty firefighter reported visible flames at the property. When crews arrived, the historic three-story home and a detached barn were already heavily involved. Despite their efforts, both structures were destroyed. The home was unoccupied at the time, and fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The property—built in 1853 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places—was in the final stages of a full restoration, a process that had been shared publicly through a Wilson Wolfe Real Estate blog. Its loss is deeply felt by both the owners and the community.
Following a joint investigation by local and state fire officials, the fire was determined to be intentionally set. At this time, investigators have not developed new leads and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
If you saw or heard anything suspicious—no matter how minor it may seem—please contact the Reading Police Department.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by texting 847411. Begin your message with “ReadingPD,” followed by your tip. You may also contact the lead investigator, Detective Derek Holmes, at dholmes@readingma.gov.
A reward of up to $5,000 is available for information that leads to the resolution of this case through the Arson Watch Reward Program at 1-800-682-9229.
Even the smallest detail could help move this investigation forward.
186 Summer Avenue
Father Kemp’s Place – (Two National Register Properties – the house and the barn) Robert Kemp formed a boot and shoe business in Boston, called Mansfield and Kemp.
In 1853, Mansfield bought 10 acres on Summer Avenue and sold part of it to Kemp. Kemp then bought an additional 12 acres and tried his hand at “gentleman farming” while still commuting to Boston to work. In one year, he harvested 225 barrels of apples. He formed Father Kemp’s Old Folks, a local amateur singing group. Their first concert was held at Lyceum Hall on December 6, 1856. They were well received and continued their concerts before trying one in Boston.
It was a success, and the Tremont Temple was packed. Ten more concerts followed before the troupe went on the road to New York and Washington, DC. While in the New York Academy of Music, 6,000 people listened to their singing, and in Washington, they sang to President Buchanan, his cabinet, and the Congress. In 1858, they traveled to the western states and also met President Lincoln in Connecticut. In 1861, they visited England for an eight-day tour. Most of the troupe were from Reading and included Roswell Temple (198 Summer Avenue).
In 1868, William Hawes owned the property. Mr. Hawes started a dollar store in Boston, only the second such store in the country. His daughter, Augusta, married Frank Dewey, son of the owner of the next house on the tour.
The home and barn are both high-style Italianate. The house has windows with shouldered architraves, a veranda with pierced Gothic columns, and a roof supported by paired brackets. It is one of the few houses in Reading that has a surviving cupola. The barn was carefully designed and embellished to match the house.
Description from the Reading 350th Anniversary Book “At Wood End“
186 Summer Ave. (ca. 1853) Italianate
Built in 1853 for Robert Kemp, this is one of the high-style Italianate houses in Reading. A two-and-a-half-story house, it has shouldered or eared architraves, a veranda with pierced Gothic columns, a belvedere, and a roof supported on paired brackets. An exterior chimney has detailed terra-cotta rosettes.
Kemp, who formed a boot and shoe business in Boston, bought part of the land on Summer Avenue from his partner, Mansfield, in 1853. He built this house and commuted to Boston while he tried gentleman farming on his 12 acres. “Father Kemp’s Old Folks,” a singing group that he founded with local amateurs, performed locally and in England. Due to financial trouble, he sold his house in 1868 and later built at 199 Summer Ave.
Kemp was the author of two books and served on the School Committee, where he helped promote music education.
