Nomination for Gowing--Sheldon Historic District

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service PrrEWEn 1176 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form 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 Gowing-Sheldon Historic District other names/site number 2. Location street & number 642 and 643 Woburn Street _n/a not for publication city or town Wilmington . vicinity state_Massachusetts _code_ - county_Middlesex .code 017_ zip code 01887 3. State/Federal Agency Certification s the desianated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this - nominatior ] 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 - statewide Mlocally. (O See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature or dertiving ofcaltile Cara y Mezz, Executve Drector tredhera hational Regiote Acreetor 10//03 Massachusetts Historical Commission, State Historic Preservation Officer 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. Natfonal Park Service Certification 1, hereby certify that this property is: M 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): Helion Il. Beall 7riTos Gowing-Sheldon Historic District Name of Property 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) X private - public-local _ public-State _ public-Federal (Check only one box) _ building(s) X district _ site structure _ object Middlesex, Massachusetts County and State Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing 4 Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) _building sites structures objects Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register NA 6.

Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) DOMESTIC/single dwelling AGRICULTURAL/agricultural out building Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) DOMESTIC/single dwelling DOMESTIC/secondary structure 7.

Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) EARLY REPUBLIC LATE VICTORIAN Federal Queen Anne Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundation_STONE walls WOOD WOOD roof ASPHALT other granite weatherboard shingle Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS NPS Form 1 10-900-a 0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB Approval No.1024- National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page_ Gowing-Shelton HD Wilmington (Middlesex), MA Narrative Description, Gowing-Sheldon Historic District The Gowing-Sheldon Historic District is a small, once rural district located in the southeast section of the town of Wilmington.

Containing about one and one-fifth acres, the district consists of two farmhouses and their barns that were owned by members of the Sheldon family. The houses nearly face each other across Woburn Street, one of the town's first roads. One is a fine example of the local Federal style farmhouse; the other is a good example of the Queen Anne style that retains a fine carriage barn. While suburban development has recently grown up around the district, its well-preserved buildings retain their location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. The Gowing/Sheldon House, 642 Woburn Street, (MHC # 115, Photo # 1) was built about 1809 as the residence for a small farm. Like many other Federal style houses in Wilmington it is south-facing and sited perpendicular to the road.

Rising from massive finely worked granite block foundations, the two-story house is rectangular in plan. A side-gabled roof framed without returns and with a boxed cornice covers the house. The pedimented portico at the entry is a 20" century addition. Only one pile deep, it is an unusual four bays wide with the entry in the second bay. Its asymmetrical fenestration and the placement of the chimney suggest one of two scenarios. The easternmost bay may have been added after a four-bay house was constructed, or the area that would have contained windows of the fifth bay could have been omitted either for a contemporaneous one-story perpendicular ell or blocked for a later 19" century ell. A one-story ell sited perpendicular to the house on its southeast corner and connected to a west-facing barn are depicted in a probably late 19" or early 20" century photograph.

The current ell has a deeper and steeper roof pitch, so its roofline appears to have been altered. The gable-front, bank barn type probably dates from the mid-to-late 19th century. The unadorned shingled structure is sited south of the house facing the road. It retains its sliding doors and multi-pane windows. The Lucy and Henry Sheldon House, 643 Woburn Street, (MHC # 114, Photo #2) built (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-a 0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB Approval No. 1024- National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Gowing-Sheldon HD Wilmington (Middlesex), MA Section number Page_2 in 1893, is one of the more substantial Queen Anne buildings in Wilmington. The fieldstone foundations, three-bay façade and high cross gables providing additional living space on the attic floor are typical of the local style.

The wood frame house is clad in clapboard while the gables are ornamented with shingle and heavy brackets at the open eaves. A one-story porch across the façade has turned posts, jigsaw -cut brackets and an entry marked by a pediment with applied starburst motif. Sited to the rear but retaining a strong visual presence is the Queen Anne/Shingle Style carriage barn. The three-bay structure is distinguished by the small ventilator that rises from the front slope of the side-gable roof in the curved lines of the Shingle style and the projecting conical hood on brackets that terminate the gabled dormer over the centered hay loft and the barn's gable fields. Diagonally sheathed double doors survive. A one- story utilitarian barn with vertical siding on the sides and 6/6 sash is located between the house and carriage barn.

Archaeological Description While no ancient Native American sites are currently located in the Gowing-Sheldon Historic District, sites may be present. Four Native sites are located in the general area (within one mile). Known sites in the area are located in similar environmental contexts to the historic district in upland areas bordering streams and stream related wetlands. Environmental characteristics of the district indicate a high potential for the presence of Native American sites. The district is located on a well drained, level to moderately sloping glacial outwash surface in close proximity to wetlands. Swamp lands associated with Maple Meadow Brook, a tributary of the Ipswich River lie less than 1000 feet east and south of the district.

Given the above information, the relatively small size of the district (approximately 1.22 acres) and construction impacts associated with the Gowing- Sheldon House (1809) and Lucy and Henry Sheldon House (1893), a moderate potential exists for locating significant ancient Native American resources in the district. A high potential exists for locating historic archaeological resources in the district. Structural evidence from an earlier barn may survive at the Gowing-Sheldon House at (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page_3 OMB Approval No. 1024- Gowing-Sheldon HD Wilmington (Middlesex), MA 642 Woburn Street.

Similar survivals from outbuildings and evidence of occupational related features may survive at both the Gowing-Sheldon House and at the Lucy and Henry Sheldon House at 643 Woburn Street. Agricultural related features and outbuildings should be more common at the Gowing-Sheldon House where a long history of farming has been documented. Structural evidence of an early 19" century shoe shop and related features may also survive near the Gowing-Sheldon House. (end) Gowing-Sheldon Historic District Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing.) X A Propertv is associated with events that have made a signiticant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. _ B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. X C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. _ D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield information important in prehistory or history. Criteria Considerations (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) Property is: _A owned by religious institution or used for religious purposes. _ B removed from its original location.

_C a birthplace or grave. _ D a cemetery. _ E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. _F a commemorative property. _G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Middlesex, Massachusetts County and State Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) ARCHITECTURE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING Period of Significance ca. 1809 - 1953 Significant Dates Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) Cultural Affiliation Architect/Builder Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) Previous documentation on file (NPS): Primary location of additional data: - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested _ previously listed in the National Register - previously determined eligible by the National Register _ designated a National Historic Landmark _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # x State Historic Preservation Office _ Other State agency Federal agency _ Local government _ University Other Name of repository: NPS Form 1 10-900-a 0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB Approval No.

1024 National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Gowing-Sheldon HD Wilmington (Middlesex), MA Section number 8 Page_ 1 Narrative Statement of Significance, Gowing-Sheldon Historic District The Gowing-Sheldon Historic District is a residential area of two well-preserved houses and their barns that are excellent examples of their local type, one built at the beginning of the 19" century and the other near its close. The well-preserved houses were the home of related families, other members of which lived close by on Woburn Street in the Buck's Corner Historic District. The Gowing-Sheldon district, an offshoot of an older, established district, displays similar town planning principles of young families occupying existing houses or building near their family's homes in a nodal pattern along an old road connecting the town to markets elsewhere.

The district retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association and meets National Register criteria A and C on the local level. Woburn Street may have been a Native American trail, but it almost certainly existed as a first settlement period path before the setting off of the Town of Wilmington from Reading, Woburn, Charlestown, and Billerica in 1730. Lying adjacent to the marshy, boggy interior of Wilmington, this road represents a north-south continuum of dry land and was thus an early transportation route. The Town of Woburn laid out the Andover Road, now Woburn Street, in 1672. A streetcar line that looped around Woburn and Wildwood Streets about 1895 did little to alter the rural nature of the area.

The tradition of accessing houses directly from the old road continued to operate until the 1990s when the subdivision street were developed north and south of the district. Joel Tweed, a cordwainer or shoemaker bought a "small peace (sic.) of land estimated at seven acres" thought to be the property at 642 Woburn Street in 1809. There were probably no buildings on it at the time as it cost only $70.00 and was described as "swamp meadow and tillage". In 1819 Tweed sold the land and the house he had constructed to baker William Bond, and Bond in turn sold it in less than a year. (continued) NPS Form 1 10-900-a 0018 (8-86) OMB Approval No.

1024- United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Gowing-Sheldon HD Wilmington (Middlesex), MA Section number 8 Page_2 The new buyer was John Gowing, "yeoman" or farmer, of the large local Gowing family. A shoe shop that stood on the property was to have the privilege of remaining there for two years after the sale. Gowing was probably the same man described in a newspaper article as Capt. Gowing who brought up eleven children under the roof. He remained in the house for about forty-two years, then sold it in 1864 to Horace Sheldon. Horace Sheldon, described in the deed as a yeoman, was a son of Asa G. and Clarissa Eames Sheldon of 604 Woburn Street. Asa, the author of the Life of Asa G. Sheldon, a Wilmington Farmer (1862), was a self-made expert on farming.

Horace's mother's family lived at 584 Woburn Street and there were other Eames houses located to the north on Woburn Street. His brother Henry and wife Sarah Gowing built the house across from their father's at 603 Woburn Street in the 1860s. Horace's brother Harrison remained in the old homestead with his wife, the former Catherine Buck, whose family lived just up the road. Harrison, who continued to farm the family land after his father's death, was the founder of the Farmers and Mechanics Club in 1875 that held well-attended annual cattle shows in the family fields for years. Horace and his wife Susan continued this strong pattern of settling close to the family and using careful tarming methods. Iwo of the couple's children, nine year old Susie and a nine month old son, died in a period of six years.

Horace purchased neighboring parcels to expand his arable land, eventually reaching eleven acres. After his death the house was sold in 1898 to Daniel Faulkner. In 1892 Lucy Sheldon, probably on behalf of husband Henry Jr., purchased the land for the house at 643 Woburn Street from her father-in-law Henry Sheldon of 603 Woburn Street. Henry Sr. was one of Horace's brothers. The couple had the house and barn constructed about 1893, then sold the property in 1896 with four acres of land out of the family. (continued) (8-86) National Reoister of Historic Places continuation ee Section number 8 Page_3 Gowing-Sheldon HD Wilmington (Middlesex), MA Architectural Significance The form of the well-preserved Federal style Gowing-Sheldon House at 642 Woburn Street is unusual for this area of Wilmington in several ways.

It is four bays wide, where side-gable houses tended to be three or five bays, and it is a narrow, one pile deep when houses, particularly those of two stories, tended to be two piles deep. It is also unusual in that it retains its probably mid-19* to early 20" century connection to the barn. The fine proportions and Federal details like the close eaves returns, boxed cornice and wide cornerboards make it a good example of the style. The pump in the dooryard shown in a turn-of-the-century photograph does not survive but, except for the altered roofline of the ell, the present scene looks remarkably like the earlier one. The Lucy and Henry Sheldon House, 643 Woburn Street, built ca. 1893, is similar to other substantial Queen Anne style houses in Wilmington and, in fact, reuses the motif of pediment marking the porch entry at 590 Woburn Street.

It is in the carriage barn that a more sophisticated stylistic approach appears. Unlike the more conventionally designed house, Shingle Style features on the barn such as the curving lines of the ventilator and the swelling lines of the conical gable field and central dormer hoods are unusual in Wilmington and even rarer in this rural setting. The carriage barn's high state of preservation significantly adds to the district. Archaeological Significance Since patterns of ancient Native American settlement in Wilmington are poorly documented, any surviving sites could be significant. Ancient sites in this area may contribute important information relating to patterns of Native settlement and subsistence in the interior Ipswich River drainage, an area that is poorly documented when compared to more coastal locales.

Native sites in this area may contain information that indicates the seasonal, functional, and socio/political role of sites located along interior tributary streams and wetlands with larger, possibly more functionally diversified sites located along the Ipswich River and coastal areas within the Ipswich drainage. (continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service dational Kegister of Historic Placer contnuaton -nee Section number 8 Page_4 Gowing-Sheldon HD Wilmington (Middlesex), MA Architectural Significance Historic archaeological resources described above have the potential to contribute social, cultural, and economic information relating to rural life in Wilmington in the 19" century through detailed information from to two homes and their families responsible for that growth.

Structural evidence of barns, outbuildings, and the locations of occupational related features (trash pits, privies, wells) at the Gowing-Sheldon House can help trace the evolution and layout of the farm from 1809 into the 20# century. Identification of the above structures combined with detailed analysis of occupational related features may help identify agricultural activities and techniques employed at the farm and details of the lives of the farm's inhabitants. Structural evidence and occupational type features associated with the Tweed shoe shop located on the property in the early 19# century may also contribute important information related to the evolution of the shoe industry in the area and technologies used in that trade.

(end) NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 9 Page_ 1 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Gowing-Sheldon HD Wilmington (Middlesex), MA 9. Major Bibliographical References (continued) Maps: Town of Wilmington Town of Wilmington Map of Middlesex County Atlas of Middlesex County Atlas of Middlesex County Town of Wilmington Map of Wilmington Map of Wilmington Wilmington (in 1775) People and Points of Interest in Wilmington Thompson, Samuel Edmund Parker Walling, Henry F. Beers, F. W. Walker, George H. and Co. Dept. of Public Works? Alden N. Eames, Surveyor Whitman and Howard 1955 Murray, James 1977 Wilmington Hist. Comm. 1794. 1831 1857 1875 1889 1935 1953 199? Public Records and Sources Pfeiffer, Brian, Historic Resources Inventory of Wilmington, MHC, 1977.

Massachusetts Historical Commisison, Reconnaisance Survey Report, Wilmington, 1981. North Middlesex County Registry of Deeds, Deeds and Plans. Town of Wilmington, Annual Reports, 1897, 1900, 1935, Town of Wilmington, Valuation, 1855, 1885. Published Materials Bond Collection, Photographs, clippings, etc. Carter, Alfred J. "The Friendly Visitor", 1879. (news clipping, no publication information). Conklin, Edwin, Middlesex County and Its People, Vol. II, Lewis, 1927. Deming, Henry, R., Historical Sketch: Growth and Progress of Wilmington, Sub-committee of the 200th Anniversary Committee, Boston, 1930. Hurd, Hamilton, D., History of Middlesex County, J. W. Lewis, Philadelphia, 1890. Kelly, James E., Wilmington Records: Births Marrages and Deaths, Lovell, 1898. Lainhart, Ann S. (compiler), Massachusetts Census: 1855-1865, Boston, 1985. Noyes, Rev.

Daniel P., Wilmington: Historical Address, Cochrane & Sampson, Boston, 1881. McKie, Madelyn, "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow". Passmore, Adel C., "Selected Eighteenth Century Wilmington Historical Sites", Wilmington Historical Commission, 1976. (continued) GowingSheldonHistoricDIstrict Name of Property Middlesex.MA County, State 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property. approximately 1.22 acres UTM References See continuation sheet. (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) 1. 19 323420 4711960 Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing 3. Zone Easting "Zone Easting _ See continuation sheet Northing Northing Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet. The boundary is shown as a dotted line on the accompanying Wilmington Assessors Property Maps number 58.

Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) 11. Form Prepared By name/title Heli Meltsner with Betsy Friedberg, National Register Director, MHC organization_Massachusetts Historical Commission street & number_220 Morrissey Boulevard date_August, 2003 telephone (617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state_MA _zip code_02125 Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets Maps A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources. Photographs Representative black and white photographs of the property.

Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.) name street & number telephone city or town _state zip code Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate operties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtair nefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et sec Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form.

Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Project (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 9/10 _Page__2/1 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Gowing-Sheldon HD Wilmington (Middlesex), MA 9. Major Bibliographical References (continued) Passmore, Adel C., 250th Anniversary, Wilmington, Massachusetts, Hampshire Press, Wilmington, 1980. Wilmington Rotary Park, Inc., Wilmington's 225"' Anniversary: 1730-1955. (end) 10.

Gowing-Sheldon Historic District Boundary Justification The Gowing-Sheldon Historic District is comprised of just two historically related properties with their houses and barns that face each other across Woburn Street. Boundaries of the district are defined by their lot lines. The house just north of Lucy and Henry Sheldon house at 643 Woburn Street was considered for inclusion as it is historically related to those of the district but its loss of architectural integrity made it ineligible. An attempt was made to link this district on the north to the historically related Buck's Corner Historic District but the large number of intervening properties intrusive for their development after the period of significance or loss of architectural integrity made linkage inadvisable. Buck's Corner Historic District is therefore separately nominated.

Buildings to the south are distant and unrelated to those of the district. Verbal Boundary Description The boundary is shown as a dotted line on the accompanying Wilmington assessor's map #58. (end) NPS Form 1 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number_Photographs Page 1 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Gowing-Sheldon HD Wilmington (Middlesex), MA PHOTOGRAPHS GOWING-SHELDON HISTORIC DISTRICT Wilmington Middlesex County, Massachusetts Photographer Heli Meltsner Date December 1,2001 Negative location Massachusetts Historical Commission, 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, MA 02125 1. Tweed-Gowing Sheldon House, 642 Woburn Street looking northeast 2. Lucy and Henry Sheldon House, 643 Woburn Street looking west MHC # STREET # Street Woburn St. 115 114 642 Woburn St. 643 Woburn St.

STREET INDEX Gowing/Sheldon District HISTORIC NAME DATE STATUS Tweed/Gowing/Sheldon & barn Lucy & Henry Sheldon carriage barn barn c. 1809/mid-late 19th cent. c. 1893 c. 1893 c. mid-to late 19th cent. C TOTAL RESOURCES Contributing Buildings TOTAL 4 4 Key C = Contributing Resource B = Building Noncontributing Bldgs. O TOTAL STYLE Federal Queen Anne Queen Anne utilitarian M-L RES. 58-19 58-30 B B B B ELM 35 URN 442 D 443 TRAE CIRGLE GOWING- SHELDON HISTORIC DISTRICT APPROX.

SCALE |"= 220' NUMBERS = STREET ADDRESSES UNITED STANATONAL PMENSERVICE INTERIOR NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY NAME : Gowing--Sheldon Historic District MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Midalesex DATE RECEIVED: DAIE OF 16IH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 10/06/03 11/21/03 DATE OF PENDING LIST: DATE OF 45TH DAY: REFERENCE NUMBER: 03001176 11/05/03 11/20/03 REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N OTHER: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: - SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: COMMENT WAIVER: N VACCEPT RETURN REJECT 1/-21-03DATE ABSTRACT/ SUMMARY COMMENTS : Entered in the Natdonal Register RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER TELEPHONE DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N attached SLR Y/N GOWING-SHELDON HT WILMINGTON (MIDDLESEX) MA 642 WOBURN ST.

# 1 6OWING-SHELDON HD WILMINGTON (MIDDLESEX MA 643 WOBURN ST. LUCY & HENRY SHELDON HOUSE PItOTO #2 RECEIVED 2280 OCT - 6 2003 NAT. REGISTER OF HIST NATIONAL PARK SERVICI FLACES The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts Historical Commission October 6, 2003 Ms. Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service 1201 Eye Street, NW 8t floor Washington, DC 20005 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination form: Gowing - Sheldon Historic District, Woburn Street, Wilmington (Middlesex), MA The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer.

The owners of the properties included in the district were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30 to 45 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. We request an expedited review of this nomination. Sincerely, Tredlierg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission enclosure CC: Heli Meltsner, consultant Kathleen Black Reynolds, Wilmington Historical Commissior Robert J. Cain. Wilmington Board of Selectmer Lynn Duncan, Planning Director 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 (617) 727-8470 - Fax: (617) 727-5128 www.state.ma.us/sec/mhc