Nomination for Armory of the First Corps of Cadets

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form 10-300 (July 1969) PH0026531 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HE E329460 Zn19 N 46046° STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM Suffolk FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) DATE 8 2 19/3 NAME C OMMON: Armory of the First Corps of Cadets AN D/ OR HISTORIC: LOCATION 9th Congressional District STREET AND NUMBER: 97-105 Arlington Street and 130 Columbus Avenue CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE Massachusetts CODE COUNTY: 025 ICLASSIFICATION CATEGORY OWNERSHIP (Check One) District X Building Site - Structure Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: In Process Being Considered Suffolk CODE 025 STATUS Occupied Unoccupied - Preservation work in progress ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: X Restricted Unrestricted No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government Commercial Industrial Educational Military Entertainment Museum OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: William J.

Fitzgerald STREET AND NUMBER: Park Private Residence Religious Scientific Transportation - Comments [X Other (Specity) Library, University of Massachusetts, Boston Campus 97-105 Arlington Street CITY OR TOWN: Bos ton LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Suffolk County Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: Suffolk County Courthouse CITY OR TOWN: STATE: Massachusetts 14L CODE 025 Massachuseti STATE: STATE APp -CEIVED 1973 REGISTE NATIOXAODE 0-25 900 Boston Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Armory of First Corps of Cadets: Report and Proposals DATE OF SURVEY: 1966 - Federal - State - County DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Boston Redeyelopment Authority STREET AND NUMBER: X Local ENTRY MUNBER City Hall CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE: Massachusetts CODE O25 DATE FOR NPSUSE ONLY DE) 151 6 DESCRIPFION APR 4 CONDiTIOR Excellent - Good (Check One) - Deteriorated Ruins (Check One) NATIONA Altered * Unaltered PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (If known) PHYSICAL: APPEARANCE Moved - Unexposed (Check One) X] Origiral Site OThe Armory of the First Corps of Cadets is a rusticated granite- [ifaced building, constructed between 1891 and 1897.

It is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Arlington Street and Columbus Avenue, and consists of the four story Head House, a six story hexagonal tower, and a single-story drill hall. The foundation is of granite, andthe external walls are twenty inches thick. The Head House is four stories, shaped in the plan as a right triangle with a six story tower articulating the corner of Arlington Street and Columbus Avenue. Describing the Arlington Street facade is a nearly symètrical disposition of corner masses; three broad smooth granite arches span two floors of rectangular windows; and an irregular arrangement of narrow slit-like openings and entry are placed parallel to the street. The narrow Columbus Avenue side of the building is characterized by massings of towers and turrets of varying scale and a flat two-bay arched central portion.

Indicating the uppermost story of the Head House and tower is a corbelled arcade surrounded by a crenelated roofline. Carved detailing includes the winged dragon on the tower and the pairs of heads which terminate the mouldings of the window arches. The Drill Hall is a single-story, nine bay structure with a slate pitched roof and pyramid -shaped dormer windows. The Hall is flanked by two short turrets pierced by loopholed openings from which the walls of the drill shed could be "swept by musketry" The arched windows openings are framed with rough-faced granite blocks. A drawbridge leads to the central bay which is marked by a doorway. Another exit leadsto the rear passage between the Armory and the Carter Building, (located directly to the right of the Armory on Columbus Avenue) was originally protected by heavy iron gates.

A "moat" suggested by the space remaining between the sidewalk and the building allows for the penetration of light into the basement rooms. The windows of the Drill Hall,the basement,andtwo lower stories of the Head House are furnished with retractable musket-proof steel shutters. The rear of the Drill Hall facing the alleyway which runs parallel to Columbus Avenue is provided with corbel towers for "flank defense".- The Drill Hall is now used as the main reading room of the University of Massachusetts library. The large room on the second floor which was once the Museum of the First Corps of Cadets is the periodical room. The brick and marble mantel with acanthus carving still remains, as do the heavy wooden doors opening onto the gallery of the Drill Hall. The thirdfloorwhich was formerly occupted by the Massachusetts Milntary Historical Society is primarily a storage area.

An impressive fireplace and mantel can be found in the larger room. The main room of the fourth floor which had been occupied by the Civil War museum of the Loyal Legion is now used a meeting room and lounge. The ornately carved woodwork, beamed ceiling, and gallery surrounding three sides of the room all remain intact. There are also book cases filled with books on military history, displays of flags and medals, and plaques commemorating Civil War battles and, honoring Civil War heroes. The fifth and sith floors are not accessible at this time.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) - Pre-Columbian| - 16th Century 15th Century 17th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1891-1897 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Aboriginal Education - Prehistoric Engineering Historic Industry Agriculture Invention Architecture - Landscape Art Architecture Commerce Literature Communications Military Conservation Music 18th Century [X 19th Century 20th Century - Political Urbon Planning Religion/Phis -i other losophy Science APp RECENVE (specity) Sculpture 1923 itarian f -. Theater Taey RECISTA NATIONAL - Transportation/ STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

The granite-faced castellated building situated at the intersection of Arlington Street and Columbus -Avenue is the last surviving Victorian armory in the city. It is a major work of William Gibbons Preston. (1842-1910), a Boston architect well known for his Back Bay and suburban residences and designs for the Museum of Natural History on Berkeley Street (now occupied by Bonwit Teller), the Hotel Vendome (the oldest portion at Dartmouth Street and Commonwealth Avenue) and the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association Hall (formerly on Boylston Street). yThe Armory wasplanned, constructed, and financed by the First Corps of Cadets, a military organization established in 1741 as the bodyguard to the Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.

Re- organized in 1776 as the Boston Independent Company, the Corps, commanded by John Hancock and Henry Jackson, took part in the battle of West Point and participated in the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. at arver ir tne an aut ped g ple ar 1 By 1939 the organization was being fully trained and equipped to take the field as a complete motorized anti-aircraft regiment. On September 16, 1940, they became one of the first National Guard units to be inducted, and in 1962, they were redesignated the First Battation, 220th Infantrys Because of lack of space for training its members, by 1880 the Corps stated that it would raise the necessary funds for the erection of an armory from public donations and would seek no financial assistance from the city. A lot of land, located on Columbus Avenue was purchased with revenues collected during the early fund-raising campaigns.

The location was considered to be "strategically advantageous because of its central situation in relation to population, to public buildings and to the termini of the railroads of the city. It also provided an unobstructed view across the trees of the Common and afforded easy communication by signal flag with the State House. Temporary quarters were established for the Cadets in 1882. By 1887 the Cadets had commissioned Preston to design the Armory building. The cornerstone was laid on October 19,1891, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Corps, an event which was accompanied by a ceremonious parade and prayers by the Reverend Phillips Brooks, Rector of Trinity Church.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES American Architect and Building News, (V. 21, no. 597, June 1887 (v. 31, no. 869, p.122) August 1892 (v. 57, no. 1127, p. 44) July 31,1897 Archives of the Veterans Association of the First Corps of Cadets Cadet Armory (Boston: 1880) and (Boston: 1887) (in above Archives) Collected Architectural Drawings of William Gibbons Preston - Vol.

52: Armory of the First Corps of Cadets (Boston Public Library) GEOGRAPHICALDATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY R OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES CORNER LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LATITUDE * LONGI TUDE Degrees Seconds NW Degrees Seconds 420 Minutes 20-57.742 Minutes 71 - 04 - 15.195 NE SE b SW APPROXIMA TE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: about one acre ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTX EOUNPARIES STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: NV STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: Ric APP HATIONAL 1973 REGISTER CODE CODE 100 CODE FORMPREPARED BY NAME AND TITLÉ: Carla Wyman (SPNEA) for Elizabeth Amadon, State Survey Director ORGANIZATION DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: Maxch 30, 1973 40 Béacon Street CITY OR TOWN: STATE Boston STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION CODE Massachusetts 025 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 lepel of significance of this nomination is: *-Localx I.xDaru Name Honorable JOHN F.X. DAVOREN Secretary of the Commonwealth and Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Title Commission 13021020131 I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa1 Register. 1! 51.07s Pohertn Chief, Office of Archeology and Flistoric Preservation Date "/22/73 Date March 26, 1973 ATTEST: HBeanpiol Date 518/271 NSTRUCTIONS Form 10-300a UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Judy 1969) -NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM STATE MA Massachusetts COUNTY -Suffolk FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER (Continuation Sheet) MAY (Number all entries) 8. SIGNIFICANCE - Armory of the First Corps of Cadets The Cadets owned the building until 1965 at which time the unit decided to convey the Armory to a real estate investor.

building was Headquarters for two units of the Massachusetts National Guard and a museum for Civil War memorabilia. As of February 1967, the Armory was still occupied by the Museum, the offices of the First Corps of Cadets and the library of the Massachusetts Military Historical Society. Since then, however, the building has been leased to the University of Massachusetts and is used for a Library, student lounges and faculty rooms. The Armory is a most significant monument of Victorjan architecture. It represents an unusual architectural form, and it is one of the few surviving examples of the great fortress-like armories of the late 19th century which had occupied such commanding positions in 19th century American cities. The Armory is the only one of its kind remaining in Boston and is one of the most interesting among those left in the New England-New York area.

Its situation at a prominent intersection gives it bold command over its environment, and its relationship to other buildings in the area helps create for this particular part of Boston. an architectural integrity which would be difficult to match. TheromanticVictorian forms of the Cadet Armory provide architectural diversity within an area characterized by later and more conservative office and hotel buildings. As stated in the General Plan of the City of Boston (BRA: 1965) it is the "graceful variety of Boston's historical landmarks that distinguishes the City's existing physical design and indicates a building tradition that cannot and should not be easily changed. 21/131/19 15L RECEIVED 19 APp 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER OI1 16118 PROPERTY Armory of the tirst Carps of Cadete WORKING NUMBER 4.

4.23.2709 TECH REVIEW Photos Maps CONTROL REVIEN Yfrar map + photo pormno STATE Mass 5-4 73 Othernuse HISTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN Accept- AmL 5/4/73 Accept tsll KH 5/7/73 ARCHEOLOGIST REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF Hens Rou1773 KEEPER 51517 National Register write-up Federal Register entry 7-3-23 Send-back Re-submit Entered MAY 221973 NPS Number T:+70: L Loo: 5.23-13 of the Zust. CunuCt Suflelk Ci lass lickus sutl u Colum Auo PROPERTY OF THE MATONAL REGISTER -I NPS Number 5.23.73 13t10: Luma, te tut. Copy Caxo Loc.

Slll'CMas Ai ceuayDeenta an Celasbudacy Sauth PROPERTY OF THE NATONAL REGISTER - Form 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 MASSACHUS ETTS OUNTY SUFFOLK FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER MAY 221973 4 NAME COMMON: ARMORY OF THE FIRST CORPS OF CADETS AND/OR HISTORIC: LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: 97-103 ARLINGTON STREET AND 130 COLUMBUS AVENUE CITY OR TOWN: BOsToN, STATE: MASSACHUSETTS MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: 150 188265, BASTON SOuTH QUADRANGL O REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. CODE COUNTY: 025 SUFFOLK(A115/ 16 RECEIVED APp HATIONAK 19%2 BEGISTER ITT TOL <6 3. Latitude and longitude reference. 00 DATE CODE 025 LAVE LIERTATE John F. X.

Davoren Secretary of the Commonwealth The Commonwealih of Massachusetts Ofice of the Secretary Massachusetts Histovical Commission Boston, Mass. 02108 40 Beacon Street March 29, 1973 National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service 18th and C Streets, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 Attention: Mr. Jerry Rogers CERTIFIED MAIL Dear Jerry: Enclosed is the National Register nomination for: Suffolk County, Boston, Armory of the First Corps of Cadets This has been declared eligible for submission by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the State Review Board, and has been signed by Secretary of the Commonwealth John F.X. Davoren, Chairman of the Massachusetts Historical Commission and designated State Liaison Officer. Cordially, Bol, Robert B. Rettig Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Commission RBR: 1ch Encl. 31141 ARR?

RECEIVED NATIONAL 1973 REGISTER 01116118 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSEITS MAY 2 2 1973 Date Entered Name Arnory of the Firat Corpe of Cadets Location Boston Suffolk County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W. Srooke Hon. John Moakley Director, Northeast Region State Ilistorie Preservation Officer Hon. John F. X. Davozen Secretary of the Conmonvealth Chairaan, Massachusetts Histozical Counission 40 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 PHR NRowland: pcl 6/6/73 TELEPHONE REPORT NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES TO/FROM : Barbara martino (on betialf of feffrey saunders) ORGANIZATION: Saunders Hotels Co., Anc. 64 arlington St. DATE: 8/7/00 Bostin, mA 02116 PHONE #: (617) 536-9000 #40 RE: Suffolk Co. The hew owner of the listed abore under "property is organization:" Mr. Saunders wanks thke rcord to uflect hix company 'p new ornersip of this R2R.

listed Oropety. expaned that we don't updare coverslico inpo. regularly per pe and the reasond why. S paid wrald witeup a teleplone repirt to record conversatinn for the rocord. Beth Gauge Arditectenal Hiskorian perewe Jor mA