Nomination for Old Third District Courthouse

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form 10-300 (July 1969) {H0006068 HB NO UTh UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Mass. COUNTY: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM Bristol FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) 719.25.0009 DDATE NAME C OMMON: REAAN Old Third District Courthouse AUG 31 19/1 AND/OR HISTORIC: Institution for Savings NATION REGISTER LOCATION Cong. District 12 STREET AND NUMBER: Second and William, Street CITY OR TOWN: New Bedford STATE Mass.

CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) District Site CODE COUNTY: 25 Bristel OWNERSHIP STATUS Object Building C Public Structure Private Both Public Acquisition: - In Process Being Considered Z Occupied Unoccupied * Preservation work in progress CODE 9 ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: Restricted Unrestricted No by apptm't PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) X Agricultural Commercial Educational Entertainment Government Industrial Military Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific Transportation - Other (Specify) - Comments OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: Wilbur D. Johnson STREET AND NUMBER: 33 Williamg Street CITY OR TOWN: New Bedford LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Bristol County Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: Mass. STATE: STATE: Mass. CODE 25 Bristol COUNTY: CITY OR TOWN: New Bedford STATE Mass.

CODE 25 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Historic American Buildings Survey DATE OF SURVEY: 1961 X Federal DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: H.A.B.S., 801 19th St. Washington STREET AND NUMBER: 801 19th Street CITY OR TOWN: Washington State - County - Local STATE: CODE D.G. 11,9.25.0009 ENTRY NUMBER 7/28h1 FOR NPS USE ONLY DESCRIPTION (Check One) - Deteriorated L Excellent X Good - Fair CONDITION (Check One) Altered [4 Unaltered Moved - Unexposed (Check One) * Origiral Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Third District Courthouse stands at the northeast corner of Williams and Second Streets in New Bedford. Built in 1853, this rectangular one- story building is covered by a low pitched roof. The three bay main facade, faced with ashlar brownstone, is situated at the pedimented gable end. full entablature of saddstone runs under the pediment and at the top of the side walls, which are brick. The building rests on a granite ashlar foundation. The foundation of the side walls extends beyond the main facade to form two granite porches. These flank the stairway leading to the entrance in the center bay. On each side of the entrance is a window beneath which is a balcony with sandstone balustrades, also supported by the projected foundation. The door and windows on this facade have molded surrounds and are topped by deep cornices.

The cornice above the door forms the horizontal member of a pediment. The main entablature consists of,an architrave of three plain Iasciae and a molded talon, a plain frieze, and a dentilled cornice. On the wal1 above the entrance and windows a panel is inset and inscribed "Third District Court of Bristol." The flat brick walls of the side facades are broken into three bays by sash windows. These are recessed and are topped by simple entablatures which project slightly. The window sills are flush with the walls; the wall space between the sills and the foundation is recessed. Iwo-stage, recessed panels are set above each window in the space between the window cornices and - architrave. The foundation consists of three courses, the uppermost of which projects toc form a water table. These courses correspond to the elements comprising the porch balustrades.

The lowest member of the foundation extends to form the fobting, while the water table extends as the rail. The area between the footing and rail, while solid in some sections, is composed of granite pier malusters across the street side of the prrches. The square newels at the corners echo in granite the decorative two-stage recessed panels which appear in brick on the side walls. Iwo brick wings are attached to the rear facade of the Courthouse. One extends to the north; the other to the east. Although these are lower in height than the main block many of the same decorative features are used. The east wing illustrates best this repetition of material and design. It has a pitched roof and a pediment in the gable. Because of the narrow width of the gabbe end, the roof is steeper and the pediment smaller.

The entab- Lature wnich encircles this wing is proportionate to the height of this extension, and the decorative window details and recessed panels beneath the windows are similar to those on the side walls of the Courthouse. Even the foundation, equals in height to that of the main block, is composed of the same courses. The exterior of the building is largely unchanged, except for the added wings. According to the owner, the brownstone on the main facade is "weaken- ing quite rapidly." The interior of the structure has been somewhat altered, and the owner has restored the courtroom for the visiting public. REC AUC - Form 10-300a UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (July 1969) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM STATE Mass.

COUNTY Bristol FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER 71.9.25.0009 (Number all entries) (Continuation Sheet) New Bedford Old Third District Courthouse - Institution for Savings 6. Representation in existing surveys Inventory of the historic assets of the commonwealth State 1971 Massachusetts Historical Commission, Office of the Secretary State House, Boston, Massachusetts 025 9/28/71 6 RECEIVED AUG 81 1971 NATIONAL REGISTER

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) Pre-Columbian! 15th Century 16th Century 17th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1853 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education Prehistoric Engineering Historic Industry Agriculture Invention Architecture Landscape Art Architecture Commerce Literature Communications Military Conservation Music X 18th Century 19th Century - 20th Century Political Religion/Phi- losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation Urban Planning X Other (Specify) govetnment STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

The old Third District Courthouse is an integral part of the Waterfront Historic District in New Bedford, which has already been designated a National Historic Landmark. The Courthouse was constructed in 1853 to house the New Bedford Institution for Savings, which had been incorporated in 1825. From 1897 until 1940 (or shortly thereafter), the building served as the Third District Courthouse. The Courthouse was built from plans drawn by Russell Warren and closely resembles his earlier Institution for Savings in Providence. Warren's design is a rare example of a commercial building which shows the influence of the Italian Renaissance on mid-nineteenth century American architecture. Although besically Greek Reyival in style, the building carries a number of Renaissance Revival decorative details.

The Courthouse is one of the two buildings in the Waterfront Historic District designed by an architect of some renown; the other is the U.S. Customs House by Robert Mills, which faces the Courthouse across the intersection fof Second and William Streets. 6 AUG 31 1971 PECENED NATIONAL REGISTER 31 1971 NATIONAL REGISTER 191110 930

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Hurd, D. Hamilton. History of Bristol County, 1888. Urban Renewal Demonstration Project. Manuscript "Preservation and Rehabilitation, Historic Commercial Areas." New Bedford, 1967. 12 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINA TES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY 0 DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY CORNER R OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES LATITUDE LONGITUDE LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NW " 41 38 NE " 09 80° 55'28 1/2 SE SW APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: less than one ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: Anne R.

Wardwell, Survey Director ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: State House CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION DATE August 26, 1971 STATE CODE Mass. 25 NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. The recommended level of significance of this nomination is: National State X Local tht/Dortren Date ATTEST: tary of the Commonwealth & Chrm Sec hassachusetts Historical Commission Title I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa 1 Register.

Guut a Cnnedly Chief, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation SEP 2 8 1971 Date Date March 18, 1971 Wlhaumhme Keoper SEP 2 1 1971 The Natipnal Register tey O N S JOHNSON SINC. AUTO PARTS MACHINE SHOP NEW BEDFORD THIRD DISTRICT COURTHOUSE SECOND + WILbIAMS ST. HABS - MAS5-684 -1961 SOUTI + LAST FACADES 'Form 10-301 (Dec. 1968) 2 Beproduced from the collections of the Library of Congress NPS Number ]/ 9. 25.0009 mi20: Ola Kird Diste Courthase uoc. Brstol Co soith and eaet f UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) STATE Mass.

COUNTY Bristol FOR NPS USE ONL ENTRY NUMBER 71,9,25.0009 NAME COMMON: AND/OR HISTORIC: Old Third District Courthouse Institution for Savings LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: Second and William Street CITY OR TOWN: New Bedford STATE: CODE 25 Mass. MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: USGS New Bedford North, Mass. SCALE: 1:24,000 DATE: 1964 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference. COUNTY: Bristol RECEMED ADG 81 1971 NATIONAL REGISTEN LL un 3 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph) NAME COMMON: AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCA TION STREET AND NUMBER: Old Third District Courthouse Institution for Savings Second and Williams Streets CITY OR TOWN: New Bedford STATE: Mass.

PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: DATE OF PHOTO: HABS 1961 NEGATIVE FILED AT: H.A.B.S IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. South and East facades CODE 25 COUNTY: Bristol STATE Mass. COUNTY Bristol FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DATE 219.25.0009 9/38p RECEIVEV AUG &I TIONAN REGISTER SODE shley Sch9 Brooklawn Par Burt Schá ubstatión .CAWSON: R IVER -8: North / Fairhaven 195 C.U isford RD Gravel PiW <ENDRICA iverside Cem *Radio Towers (WBSM) ROAD H Fairhaven Jr High Sch A Drive-inn Theater /N BRIDG BM 42 Popes Island Radio Tower stern Mass bnologieal Institute Icüshmar #StiJosephs Marine Park Fish / Isiand 4/ 70s5'28½" 1aam Danonon 1 CHURC NEW BEDFORD, MASS. THIRD DISTRICT COURTHOUSE (INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS) U.S.G.S New Bedford, North, Mass. Scale 1:24,000 Date: 1964 East ach BAY GRINNEL OUTHIP + FT. RODMAN 2.3 MI. SOUTH DARTMOUTH 2.5 MI.

000 4000 5000 6000 7000 FEET KILOMETER L 10 FEET IA LEVEL -DATUM IS MEAN LOW WATER IMATE LINE OF MEAN HIGH WATER ROXIMATELY 3.7 FEET TEY.WASHINGTON,D.C20242 SYMBOLS IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST QUADRANGLE LOCATION 70°52' d dirt State Route NEW BEDFORD NORTH, MASS. N4137.5 - W7052.5/7.5 1964 Brstol Co. mãos H30-HR October 29, 1968 Mx. Wilbur D. Johnson Johnson's Inc. 33 William Street New Bedford, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Johnson: Thank you for sending us the additional information on the Third Dlästrict Court buflding in New Bedford, We shall incorpozate it into our files. In answer to your questions, the entire New Bedford Historic District 1s in the National Register, even though it nay include a few non-historic buildings that would not be elígible for Federal grants-in-aid. Dr.

Hale is avaze that when this grant- in-aid program is funded, it will be largely the zesponsibility of the Massachusetts Historical Commission to recommend which properties in the district (and in the entire Commonwealth) should receive the highestpriority for assistance. However, the program has not yet been funded, and therefore no funds are available for individual preservation projects. Judging from his mention of othex potential sources of assistance Dr. Hale seems to be vexy interested in helping you. We wish you wel1 in your efforts to preserve your building. Weare enclosing the other material you requested. Sincerely yours, Russell V. Keune (Sgd.) BASIC Russe11 V. Keune Assistant Keeper of the National Register Enclosures CC: Dr.

Richard Hale Regional Director, Northeast HR JLRogers: jah 10/29 SNIE PETIO CRACIOAN LAVE LIBATANA John F. X. Davoren Pecretary of the Commonrvealth The Commonvcalth of Massachusets Office of the Secreary Prate Hlouse, Boston 02193 August 27, 1971 The Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation National Park Service 801 19th Street, N.W. Washington, D. C. 20006 Attention: Mrs. Sally Marusin REGISTERED MAIL Dear Sirs, Enclosed are National Register submissions for: Rotch Counting House, New Bedford Old Third District Court House, New Bedford Loammi Baldwin Mansion, Woburn Iwin Lights, Thacher's Island Old African Meetinghouse, Boston Merrell Tavern, Iee Pelham Town Hall Complex, Pelham These have been declared eligible for submission by the Kassachusetts Historical Commission, the State Review Board, and have been signed by Secretary of the Commonwealth, John F. X.

Davoren, Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Conmission and designated the State Liaison Officer. Sincerely yours, Gihid W.Hale fu Richard W. Hale, Jr. Acting Chairman RWH: aw Massachusetts Historical Commission AUG 3 0 1971 / ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered SEP 2 8 1971 Name old Third District Courthouse Rotch Counting House Location New Bedford Bristol County New Bedford Bristol County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Bdward W. Brooke Hon, Hastings Keith Director, Noxtheast Region HR MCMeans:mm 9/22/71 State Liaison Officer Bon. John F. X. Davozen Secretary of the Comsonweaith Chaizsan, Massachusetts Histozical Comnission office ef the Secretary State House Boston, Massachusetts 02133