Nomination for South Mountain Concert Hall

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

I10 A Form 10-300 (Rev. 6-72) PH0005959 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: Berkshire FORNPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE (Type. all entries : complete applicable sections) AUG.

1 4 1973 NAME C OMMON: South Mountain Concert Hall AND/ OR HISTORIC: LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: PCO Espielo 088 us 2/20 on New South Mountain Road CITY OR TOWN: CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Pittsfield First STATE CODE 025 COUNTY: Berkshire CODE 003 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) District Site Building Structure OWNERSHIP STATUS Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: - In Process Being Considered Occupied Unoccupied - Preservation work in progresr ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: * Restricted Unrestricted No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government Commercial Industrial Educational Military Entertainment Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: South Mountain Association STREET AND NUMBER: Box 23 CITY OR TOWN: Pittsfield LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Berkshire Registry of Deeds, Middle District STREET AND NUMBER: Wendell Avenue CITY OR TOWN: Pittsfield - Transporfation ] Other /(Specity) RECENVED -Comments JUL 10 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER TTTE Mass- STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 Berkshire STATE Massachusetts CODE 025 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Berkshire County Regional Survey DATE OF SURVEY: 1972 - Federal DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Berkshire County Historical Society STREET AND NUMBER: 113 East Housatonic Street CITY OR TOWN: Pittsfield - State [X County - Local ISTATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 STATE COUNTY: DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY DESCRIPTION (Check One) CONDITION Exellome se coatdno Poir O Dossiconed O Runnc o Unonpose Altered X Unaltered Moved * Original Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The South Mountain Concert Hall is located near the center of a 200 acre tract of land and is screened on all sides by woods which provide a natural barrier against the distractions of background noise. The architectural simplicity of the Concert Hall enables it to blend harmoniously with this natural setting, which is a vital element in the successful use of the building. The Concert Hall is a one-story building measuring 105 by 42 feet; it is constructed of wood and has a hip roof with a central cupola. The main (east) elevation is divided into five bays, each of which is set with French doors topped by paired casement windows and a flush fan light. The entrance to the building, located on the west side, is covered by a 22 by 58 foot porte-cochere above which is a row of hinged windows.

These windows combine with those in the opposite elevation to take maximum advantage of the natural cooling effects of the surrounding wooded area, an important feature as the building was designed primarily for summer use. The interior of the Concert Hall has a simple, functional design. The rows of seats are pews taken from a de-consecrated church in Vermont. The auditorium floor slopes gradually, enabling viewers in the rear to see the performers on the semi-circular stage and contributing to the sense of inti- macy which is achieved despite the size of the hall. The exposed framing of the building includes massive timbers from an early nineteenth century mill in Hinsdale, Massachusetts. The wood paneling of the walls, together with these century-old timbers, provides exceptionally fine resonance, ideal for chamber music.

These unusual accoustics coupled with the large expanse of windows and doors in the eastern wall enable audiences seated on the sloping lawn to enjoy the full musical quality of performances in the hall. The boundaries of this submission include 300 feet of land on all sides of the building. RECEVED III.02) JUL 1 O 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER - Z

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) Pre-Columbian! 16th Century 15th Century 17th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1918 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal X Education Prehistoric Engineering Historic Industry Agriculture Invention Architecture Landscape Art Architecture Commerce Literature Communications Military Conservation Music - 18th Century - 19th Century *] 20th Century. Political Religion/Phi. losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation Urban Planning Other (Specify) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

The South Mountain Concert Hall has been a center of music and educational activities in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, for more than half a century. The Concert Hall was built with funds given by Mrs. Eliza- beth Sprague Coolidge on land which she also provided. The building was completed in 1918 and was used for the first time in September of that year. This initial Berkshire Festival of Chamber Music became the first internationally known series of musical events to be presented in Berkshire County. Outstanding American and European musicians took part in the Berk- shire Festivals, which continued annually through 1925. By 1924, it had become apparent that the Berkshire Festival of Chamber Music had generated far more than local interest. Mr. Willem Willeke, music director of the Festivals, suggested that Washington, D. C.

would be the appropriate location for an expansion of the Festivals. The success of this new concert seriès and the international interest which it aroused formed the basis of Mrs. Coolidge's decision to contribute funds for con- struction of the Coolidge Auditorium in the Library of Congress and to establish the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation to provide for perfor- mances of chamber music there. The Coolidge Foundation has maintained a continuous connection with South Mountain ard sponsors concerts there. The Elshuco Trio, which was formed at South Mountain, performed at the Concert Hall and throughout the United States from 1918 to 1933. Some two hundred compositions for chamber groups have been premiered at the South Mountain Concert Hall, among them works by Bartok, Webern, Ravel, Schoenberg and Stravinsky.

The twenty-four chamber works of Johannes Brahms were first performed as a Brahms cycle at the Concert Hall in 1924. Among the internationally known artists who have appeared on the South Mountain stage are Rudolf Serkin, Leontyne Price, Ieonard Bernstein, the New York Pro Musica, the Julliard Quartet, the Guarneri Quartet and the Budapest Quartet. In 1955, South Mountain organized its Young Audiences Concerts. This annual series, which now includes twenty-five concerts, is presented at the Concert Hall and in public schools throughout Berkshire County. Both the Concert Hall and two hundred acres of surrounding open land are owned and maintained by the South Mountain Association. These exten- sive grounds, operated by the Association as a nature preserve, are open year-round for hiking and in winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Though the whole of the grounds is not included in this submission, (see continuation sheet)

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Cobbett, Walter Wilson. Cyclopedic Survey of Chamber Music: Oxford Press, 1928, pp. 302, 20. Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Vol II, fifth edition, 1954, p. 422. Note: Library of Congress (Music Division) has a complete collection of South Mountain programs since 1918. 10. GEOGRAPHICALDATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ÁCRES CORNER LATITUDE LONGITUDE R LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees NW 42° Degrees Minutes Seconds 25 16 730 1558 " Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NE 42° 25 " 16 " 73° 15: 49 " SE 42° 25 " 73 °: 15 : 49- SW 42- 25 -095 73 - 15, 58. APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: 91110 c.

10 acres ETATALE STAYES AND COUNTIES FOR PAORERTE COEN AEOUME STATE ON SOSNTE SOVAGETED CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: 1 0 1973 STATE: CODE COUNTY: NATIONAL CODE REGISTER CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: for Eliz. Dir. (617) Donald S. Smith, RAmtone Satefurhone: 413-442-1793) Executive Director Berkshire County Historical Society STREET AND NUMBER: June 21, 1973 113 East Housatonic Street CITY OR TOWN: STATE CODE 025 Pittsfield STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION 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 c-iteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

The recommended level of significance of this nomination is: I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa 1 Register. STX Damen Secretary of Commonwealth and Title Chairman of the Massachusetts Historical Commission Date 8/14/73 Date July 5, 1973 ATTEST: Lom smnt Date 30 73 GP0 931.894 u - Z orm 10-300 luly 1969 JNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Continuation Sheet) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Berkshire FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER AUG DATE A 1973 (Number all entries) South Mountain Concert Hall, Pittsfield 8. Statement of Significance (continued) they contribute to the significance of the Concert Hall since they provide valuable recreational land for the City of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

81/191 EIIOITE RECÊiVEO JUL 1 0 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER TETTD GPO 921.724 PROPERTY South MovritainConcert Hall STATE Mase WORKING NUMBER 1.10:13-3280 TECH REVIEW Photos_ 3 Maps Berkshire CONTROL REVIEW 7-17- 13 l' not over whelmed be this nom, watt As repres, of Berkshire ARCHEOLOGIST KHC 7/19/73 REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER com National Register write-up Federal Register entry 102-73 Send-back Re-submit Entered AUG 1 4 1973 NPS Number S/4/23 Title: South mr coucost Mall Loc.

Beelsshiai, Mass 20ST 0e MaiN fACaDE 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) Pl STATE Massachuset COUNTY Berkshire FOR NPS USE ENTRY NUMBER 9 NAME COMMON: AND/ORHISTOrUth Mountain Concert Hall Fempre of Mustc LOCA TION STREET AND NUMBER: N New South Mountain Road CITY OR TOWN: Pittsfield STATE: CODE COUNTY: Massachusetts 025 Berkshire PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: WMWMOMNMWWWWWWWWWWMWHN Joel Labrizzi DATE OF PHOTO: October1972 NEGATIVE FILED AT: Photographer JUL NATI REGI DENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Exterior showing east or main facade and noth wall, hi cupola and men installing protective shutters over win and doors. Note building protected by lightning rods. NPS Number Title: 2/14/73 south mountain cenceet Mall Loc.

Beekshieé, mass west TASORE 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 ONL ENTRY NUMBER AUG NAME COMMON: South Mountain Concert Hall AND/OR HISTORIC: Temple of Music LOCA TION STREET AND NUMBER: New South Mountain Road AECENVED CITY OR TOWN: Pittsfield STATE: CODE COUNTY: 025 Berkshire KA7IB179 REGISTE: Massachusetts PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: DATE OF PHOTO: NEGATIVE FILED AT: Joel Labrizzi October 1972 Photographer IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. West facade showing entrance, porch, porte-cochereand hi windows with shutters installèd. PTPL NPS Number Title: South 8/14/73 meuntaio casseet Mall Loc.

BeRISShiRE, MASS LiOR 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 COUNTY Massachusetts Berkshire FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER AUG LO RECENEL JUL 1 0 197 NATIONAL REGISTE Z COMMON: South Mountain Concert Hall AND/OR HISTORIC: Temple of Music LOCA TION STREET AND NUMBER: New South Mountain Road CITY OR TOWN: Pittsfield STATE: Massachusetts PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: DATE OF PHOTO: NEGATIVE FILED AT: CODE 025 COUNTY: Berkshire Joel Labrizzi August 1972 Photographer IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Interior South Mountain Concert Hall showing massive timber casement and hinged windows, pews and paneling referred to application.

Photo taken during preparation for benefit au Form 10-301 (July 1968) JNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOF VATIONAL PARK SERVICI NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) AND/OR HISTORIC Temple of Music 1. NAME COMMON South Mountain Concert Hall 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREETAND NUMBER New South Mountain Road 3. MAP REFERENCE SOURCE COUNTY Berkshire DATE u.S.G.S. Pittsfield West, 1959 Mass.

REQUIREMENTS: PROPERTY BOUNDARIES, WHERE REQUIRED, AND NORTH ARROW: INUMERIC CODE (ARsigned by gi9) TOWN Pittsfield SCALE 1:24,000 8I19LIO RECEiVED JUL 1 0 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER 12 GPO 932-010 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE ASSACHUSENRS Date Entered AUG 1 4 1973 Name Location Bouth Mountain Concert HnZt Sabbath Dag Eouse Navel Hospital Boston Back Bey Iiatorie District Pittatield Eerkshire County 211lerica 160lesex County Chelses Suffolk Courty Poston Buffolk County Also Notified Hon, Edward .M. Kennedy Hone Fcrard Ne Frooise Bon, Bilvio Os Conte Ion, Paul Wo Cronin Hon+ Forbert Fo MacDonald Eone thores 2. OHeill, Jr.

Eon, John Je KonkIcy 1t, Allon Se Kezz, DOD Director, Northeast Region Steto Iistoric Preservation Ofllces Fons John Pº Xe Davoren Secretary of the Comonealth Chefsren, Massachuetts Historlent Commisaion 40 Beacon Street Boston, Vassachusetts 02108 PHR MMott: jal 8/16/73