Nomination for Old Town Hall

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form 10-300 (July 1969) P400059323No 5 NO UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Massachusetts COUNTY: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) Berkshire FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER APR 2 6 1972 DATE NAME C OMMON: Old Iown Hall AND/ OR HISTORIC: Town Hall 1832-1891 City Hall 1891-1968 LOCATION Congressional District 1 STREET AND NUMBER: 43 East Street (at the corner of Allen Street) CITY OR TOWN: Pittsfield STATE Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) District X Building Site Structure CODE COUNTY: 025 Berkshire CODE 003 OWNERSHIP STATUS Obiect Public Private Both Public Acquisition: In Process Being Considered X Occupied Unoccupied - Preservation work in progress ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: Restricted Unrestricted L No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government Commercial Industrial Educational Military Entertainment Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific Transportation -Other (Specity) OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: City of Pittsfield STREET AND NUMBER: City Hall, 66 Allen Street CITY OR TOWN: Pittsfield 5.

LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Berkshire County Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: 24 Wendell Avenue CITY OR TOWN: STATE Pittsfield _ Comments 40, RECEWEN JAI. 25 1972 NATIONÀ REGIST STATE: MassachuseftdigT UCÓDE 025 Massachusetts CODE 025 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE OF SURVEY: Oct. 20,1971 - Federal [X State - County DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: Archives Museum, State House CITY OR TOWN: ISTATE: Boston Massachusetts - Local CODE 025 STATE: Mass- COUNTY: Berkshire ENTRY NUMBER APR 2 6 1972 FOR NPS USE ONLY DESCRIPTION (Check One) [X Excellent Good - Deteriorated CONDITION - Unexposed (Check One) (Check One) - Altered - Unaltered - Moved DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

Original Site This building is a two-story rectangular structure measuring 63' by 42''with its' longer facade fronting on East Street and Park Square. Its' foundation is of a variety of materials. On the front side it is of cut marble, coursed; ends are of marble rubble squared, the rear has been covered by concrete, scored to give the effect of cut stone, coursed. 'Walls, are of red brick with the front and back facades stuccoed. The stucco is extended around the corners and scored to give the effect of quoining. Ihe roof is ridge with medium gable. 'A balustrade of alternating solid panels and groups of turned posts is found on both front and back. There are four brick chimneys placed regularly two at each end! One of each these pairs is false. The front facade has three bays containing identical windows in regular placement. Windows are double hung sash 16 over 12, three to each bay.

They have plain marble lintels and sills. Above each of the second floor windows is a recessed rectangular panel. The central bay is set 8 to 10 inches forward of the two flanking bays and topped by a plain pedimented central gable. The entrance is at the center of this facade. Ihe door is recessed about a foot and has a six-light transom. The eight- panel door and transom are replacements. Early photographs show additional doors in place of the center windows in both side bays as well as in the center of the end walls. 1 In 1969-70 the Old Iown Hall was completely restored and remodeled (internally) to serve as a bank branch and rental offices. A HUD grant of $69,000 was received in conjunction with this project. The present lessee, the Berkshire County Savings Bank, spent a considerable additional sum to rehabilitate the structure.

During this restoration work an 1856 photograph and other early prints and photographs were used to enable reconstruction of the balustrade which had disappeared, replacement of chimneys, window sash and other details. A rear wing added in 1896 was also removed returning the structure to its' 1832 dimensions. o1 110 - 1T, * RECEIVED JAI. 25 1972 NATION/ REGIS: THITE 1. m m - Z -

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 - 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1832 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 * Political Religion/Phi- losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation - Urban Planning Other (Specify) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

'This building served for 135 years as the seat of 1ocal government - from 1832 to 1891 as Town Hall and from 1891-1968 as City Hall. 'It is the oldest existing city building in Pittsfield and the only remaining public building of late Federal Period architecture in the community! In addition to serving as the seat of local government, the building has also housed for shorter periods a post office and a bank. It has been used many times for religious services and for several months was the county court house. 'In its earlier years when the Berkshire Agricultural Society held its' fairs in the park opposite, this building housed exhibits of housenold manufactures. This is the oldest agricultural fair in the country./ Here also were held many patriotic meetings at which soldiers were recruited for the Civil War. S E RECÊIVED NATION" j'1L

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Smith, J.E. A. The History of Pittsfield, Massachusetts 1800 to 1876 Springfield, Mass.: C.W. Bryan & Co. 1876 Boltwood, Ldward The History of Pittsfield, Massachusetts 1876 to 1916. Pittsfield: The City of Pittsfield 1916. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY 0 R CORNER LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds NW NE LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES Degrees 42° LATITUDE Minutes 26' LONGITUDE Seconds 54 Degrees 73 Minutes 15 Seconds 11 APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: oo STATE: STATE: CODE COUNTY: NATIONA. BEGISTER STATE: CODE COUNTY: ETTETTE CODE CODE CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE FORMPREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: Donald S.

Smith ORGANIZATION Berkshire County Historical Society STREET AND NUMBER: 113 East Housatonic Street CITY OR TOWN: STATE Pittsfield T2. STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION DATE October 20,1971 CODE 025 Massachusetts 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 Local x) Name John FX ovoah JOHN F.X. DAVOREN Secretary of the Commonwealth, Title Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa1 Register. Aohers M.

vltler Chief, Office of Archeology and Historic Pt gervation Date 4/26/12 ATTEST: Vitlean Mat,h Date APR 26 Date December 15, 1971 Z C z DATE OF RECEIPT DATA PAGE (S) PHOTO DESCRIPTION (S) MAP (S) MAP DESCRIPTION (S) LOGGED ACKNOWLEDGE RESUBMIT REVIEW 1/25/22VES 1/20/2 HISTORIAN Old Town Haee Berkshire Co. PROPERTY NO SDATE Mass NUMBER REGISTER: APR 26 1972 RECEIVED N *JÃN 25 1972 12. 19) NATIONA REGIS: lech ok 3-2312 jlj CETTHTE TY Ol means Obay 4/4/22 ARCHEOLOGIST ARCHITECT ok chamber -12-72 ASST. KEEPER KEEPER WRITER/EDITOR ox CHIEF, OAHP EDITORIAL PROCESSING, EDITOR Federal Registry Entry 6-6-22 LOGGED APR 2f 19/2 CARD APR 26 1972 COMMENTS: Annual Edition Entry WORKING NUMBER 125.22./45 CONGRESSIONAL DIST. Old Youn Hall. Pittefried, Mase.

Phots to accompany Nationnl Regiatiy Agaplication, Saith aud Zast facades - 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) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Berkshire FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER APR 2 6 19/4 SNOI NAME COMMON: Old Iown Hall AND/OR HISTORIC: Iown Hall (1832-1891) City Hall (1891-1968) LOCA TION STREET AND NUMBER: 43 East Street (at corner of Allen St.) CITY OR TOWN: Pittsfield STATE: Massachusetts CODE COUNTY: 025 Berkshire PHOI @ ERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: DATE OF PHOTO: Donala S. Smith 1970 NEGATIVE FILEDAT: Berkshire County Historical Society IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

South and east facades 10 NATIONA REGIST D - U For 10-301 (July 1969) 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 Massachusetts COUNTY Berkshire FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER APR &6 1972 NAME COMMON: Old Town Hall AND/OR HISTORIc: Town Hall (1832-1891) City Hall (1891-1968) LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: 43 East Street (at corner of Allen Street) CITY OR TOWN: Pittsfield STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: Berkshire MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: U.S.G.S. Pittsfield West Quadrangle SCALE: 1:24000 DATE: 1959 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference. V4.

RECEIVEN REGIS XATION 1972 LETTETTI DATE 683 MIC WORKS 17'30" 120 000 FEET (MASS.) Love or Pearo MASSACHUSETTS-NE 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) WANESH6R6 Trrspnstt 13°15 42 BOUNDARY Pontoosuc Lake 550 Thomas Island -Highland Sch Camp Vitawentin MI 1078 PITTSFIEID, MASS. TOWN HALL u.S.G.S. Pittsfield, West Date: 1959 Scale 1:24,000 COLTSVILLE 2.5 MI VAT RECEIVED JAN 25 1972 NATIONA REGIST 121 2 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Date Entered STATE MAesacin APR 2 6 1972 Name Location Ioring-Grecnough House Holyoke-Franch House /old Zowa Hall Bostoa (Janaica Plain) Baffolk County Loxfozd Essex County Pittafiaid Eerkehize County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Ion. Edvard W. Brooke Hon. Loulse Day Hicks Lon. Michael J. Harrington Bon. Siivia 0. Conte Director, Northeast Region HR NRowland: mm 4/25/72 State Ifaison 0ffices Hon. John F. X.

Davores Secretary of the Comnonweaith Chaizman, Hassachusetts Historical Connission Oftice of the Secretary State House Boston, Hassachusetts 02133 Vee d The tew f i!. ib'accd yer selliehin lüne cimimbeiss entfrudtre pret Me tine. ancld Tmen/taltart andl me hou apoct Imany long Aruo tt bunena. Thi isi Chuichi in toon sfeik ve svant to save and pusirri. Thersalite. ,uill continuc tibeon tta buldonfbogtn nt. Kd frrrewing ait pingers and otter hilps by Your will te gaosty spprcented y the Usakington torsspesple, Pliase hitpe wo sane stdo Cluuc forourtun. Ainculy. Cauljn À Clinis Rocite 8 Wiatingtr, Maso. 2niled Slales Serale August 5, 1977 Adams, Carolyn Respectfully referred to: Congressional Liaison Department of the Interior Interior Building Washington, D.C.

20240 Because of the desire of this office to be responsive to all inquiries and communications, your consideration of the attached is requested. Your findings and views, in duplicate form, along with return of the enclosure, will be appreciated by Plus this form Form #2 PLEASE RE BOSTO U.s.S. CRAL BLDG. 02203 khb mas Pershen) s In Reply Refer Tos 134-880 8S-23112 9/8/77 Frandsen Cole mgash K.Myers// Tljool prr 190 911 Pumally9-z bonorabie id ward W. Brook United States Senator 20037 JIX Pederal Befiding Boston, M sachuette 02203 Dear Senator Brookes Thank you for your ingutry on bebalf of is, Carolyn Adans concerning the preservation of the lasenchosette. osn, batl, school and churchy &a Ty shington These properties nny be eligible for nomination to the Sational Beglster of Ilstorie Places. The enelosed Jeaflet deseribes the Hationat Begleter progran.

Mattonal Jegister soninations are subnittedby the inssachusette Btate Hlstorle Preservation Ofllcer, Ars.I11zabeth R. Anadon, Ixeoutive Sfreetor, Nassachuette Itatorical Countarion, 294 Rashington Street, Boston, Mansachusetts 02108. Ve have brought thene three properties to the attestion of Ire, Anadon's statt. le agpreciate your intezest ia hiatorte pae rvation. Sincezely yours, 15/ Gary k. Catron Gary R, Catzon Assiatant to the Secretary and Dtrector of Congresaional and Iegislative Affaire Kne: ees Tour Wa (CIR) ington Ofttee h.c to Fw%- 4p (BASEC FILE RETAINED IN 880) ed 9/1 bee: Mrs. Elizabeth R. Amadon Exeeutive Director Messechusetta Historical Conmission 294 Weshington Street Boston, Mnasebhusetts 02108 ) w/e of inc. Secretary's Reeding Pile (2) Regtone1 Direetor, North Atlantte) 001 Reeding Piles 160) / 190) 760) FNB: BFrendsen: 1f: 8-29-77 Cep: 9-1-71