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NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service RECEIVED 2280 631 AF :29 2002 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NAT. REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions.
Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name Flint Public Library other names/site number_ 2. Location street & number. 2 North Main Street ._not for publication city or town Middleton - vicinity state Massachusetts code_MA - countyEssex _ code 009 _ zip code 01949 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination - request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property -'meets - does not meet the National Register Criteria.
I recommend that this property be considered significant - nationally O statewide M locally. (- See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Brona Signature of certifying official/Title Brona Simon, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer April ", 2002 Date Massachusetts Historical Commission State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. ( See continuation sheet for additional Comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby certify that this property is: -l entered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined eligible for the National Register - See continuation sheet.
- determined not eligible for the National Register - removed from the National Register - other (explain): Signature of the Keeper Date of Action Flint Library Name of Property 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) -private xpublic-local - public-State - public-Federal Essex, MA County and State (Check only one box) xbuilding(s) - district _ Site _ structure - object Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing 1 Noncontributing building sites structures objects Total 3 2 4 2 Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) n/a 6.
Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) LEDUCATION: library Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) EDUCATION: library Z. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Romanesque Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundation_ sandstone walls brick roof other slate sandstone Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Nationäl Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - 7 Page - 1 Flint Library Middleton (Essex), MA ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION The Flint Public Library is a well-preserved example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture and an important civic building for the Town of Middleton.
It stands at a major intersection in the center of town, occupying a prominent site among buildings from various periods. North of the library is a ca. 1960s fire station, while a converted commercial/residential dwelling stands to the south. To the rear of the library is the reconstructed Lura Watkins Museum (1970s). Across North Main Street (east) is the historic Esty Tavern (NR 1989). To the southeast is a modern gas station. The library is set back from the street approximately 30 feet. The lot is characterized by mature trees and well-groomed landscaping. There is a small paved parking area on the south side of the building and a larger public parking lot at the rear (west end) of the property.
The red brick library rises 1½ stories from a rusticated brownstone ashlar foundation to a slate-covered hip Standing on a one-acre lot, the building consists of a rectangular main block and a smaller, nearly square rear wing. The façade (east elevation) is dominated by a central gabled wall dormer with adjoining clock tower, which houses the original weight-driven Howard clock which is still functioning. The clock tower is decorated with a corbelled brick cornice, a simple finial, and small gabled dormers. The roofline of the main block is defined by a narrow sandstone cornice with egg & dart molding. The library's main entry is centered on the façade and recessed within a broad sandstone arch decorated by a drip mold with carved bead & reel detailing. The arch was originally open but was enclosed at some point after 1909 (exact date unknown).
The added enclosure was replaced in 1990 by the existing glazed door with multi- pane sidelights and transom. The original front entry remains on the interior and serves as a vestibule door. Original drawings indicate this entry once contained a set of wood 10-panel double doors with multi- pane sidelights and transom. Although the sidelights and transom remain,the doors were replaced by modern aluminum doors. The original granite stoop was replaced by the existing curved brick stoop in 1990. Above the main entry arch is a broad sandstone band trimmed with bead & reel molding, on which the words "FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY" are incised. The bead & reel molding also takes the form of a narrow sandstone belt course, aligned with the window heads (on all elevations of the main block). The sides and rear elevations are similar to the façade in materials and design but are less highly articulated.
The south elevation has a one-story round tower enclosed by a conical slate roof. There is also a secondary entrance at this elevation. The doorway is set within an arched opening with a drip mold (decorated with bead & reel molding) and has a multi-pane transom. The 8-panel wood door, installed in the 1990s, is a copy of the original door. There is a modern screen door on the exterior. The original granite steps lead to this door. On the rear (west) elevation of the main block, there are two added entries to the basement (1980), one on either side of the rear wing. These openings contain modern metal fire doors and are sheltered by simple wood porches with corrugated metal roofs. The rear wing, containing the book stacks, is more modest in its design than the main block. -It rests on a simple brick foundation with a plain sandstone water table.
Its north and south elevations are mirror (continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ 7 Page _ 2 Flint Library - Middleton (Essex), MA images of one another, each having tall narrow windows (with eight-pane sash and four-pane transoms) lining the upper levél and a two-story window at the east end, designed to light interior stairs in these locations. A larger two-story window (containing four 6/6 sash) is centered on the rear (west) face of the rear wing There was originally a low door centered on the basement level of the rear elevation but this has been infilled with brick, as has a basement window next to the door. Window openings over the entire building contain original sash (except as noted) and have splayed heads, formed by stretcher bricks.
Two stained glass windows, created for the original structure by Donald MacDonald of Boston, flank the main entry. Centered over the building name is a narrow arched window (containing a 6/1 arched sash) with a sandstone drip mold (decorated with bead & reel molding). Other first floor windows of the main block contain 8/2 sash, with those at the sides having decorative transoms with an elliptical pane (two at the north elevation and one at the south). The window at the south elevation contains a leaded glass window that appears to have been added in place of the original sash. Windows in the tower have 6/1 sash. On the rear (west) elevation of the main block is a single small window with a six-light sash. There are small rectangular basement windows, which contain modern aluminum sash, on both the main block and rear wing.
Original drawings indicate that these windows formerly contained four- pane sash. In addition to the building, the grounds contain four granite stelai with bronze plaques memorializing the Middleton veterans of WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The first two stones were erected in 1934, the last two in 1980. A flagpole was placed behind the memorials in 1934 to honor those who died in service to their country. Although the Richardsonian Romanesque style was employed in the design of numerous buildings throughout New England, there are no other examples of this style in Middleton. No additions have been made to the building footprint and very little alteration has occurred on the interior of the library. Numerous historic features remain on the interior, including stacks, two fireplaces, several archways, the gallery over the stacks, and decorative finishes and artifacts.
The interior trim, of which there is an extensive amount, was executed in cypress wood The large stained glass window in the Trustee's Room is 9'x 9½'. There are three panels; two smaller identical side panels depict hanging lamps and the text reads "What writest thou" on the left side and "The names of those whom love of God hath bless'd" on the right side. The bottom texts read "In memory of one who loved his fellow-men" on the left side, and "Jesse Fuller, March 16, 1872" on the right side. The main panel is of stained glass showing the figures of an angel and Abou Ben Adhem as described in the poem "Abou Ben Adhem" by Leigh Hunt, written about 1836. In the same room there is a smaller window (9' x 4 ½') with decorative leader panels above two stained glass floral pattern panels. The large window in the Reading Room is also 9' x 9 ½'.
The floral stained glass side panels have text on the bottom that reads "Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: Prov. V 11, 4" on the left and "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of (continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page - 3 Flint Library Middteton (Essex), MA life: Prov. V1, 23" on the right side. The main panel depicts two female robed figures, one seated and one standing, as an allegorical representation of the above proverbs. There is an inscription across the bottom reading - "Presented by J.N. Smith, in memory of Carolyn F.
Smith, 1842-1877." The only major interior change to the library was the installation of a children's room in the basement in 1980 Archaeological Description While no ancient Native American sites are reported on the Flint Public Library property, sites may be present. Three sites are recorded in the general area (within one mile), including one site located less than 1000 feet from the library on the south side of a stream leading from the spillway at Middleton Pond Environmental characteristics of the property represent locational criteria (slope, soil drainage, distance to wetlands) that are favorable indicators for many types of ancient sites. The library is located on a well drained, level to moderately sloping terrace within 1000 feet of the stream noted above.
In spite of the above information, the potential for locating ancient Native American resources with integrity on the library property is low. Construction of earlier buildings on the site related to the Fuller Estate, the library, a paved parking area and landscaping on the relatively smalllot (1 acre) would have adversely effected any ancient Native American resources located on the property. A high potential exists for locating historic archaeological resources on the library property though much of it remains to be documented. The town purchased the former Ephriam Fuller Estate for the site of the library in ca. 1889. Buildings reported to be on the Fuller Estate were sold for $175.00.
Additional historical research combined with archaeological survey and testing can be used to document the locations of structural evidence related to buildings on the Fuller Estate, occupational related features and their integrity. (end) Flint Library Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance