Nomination for Thayer, Gen. Sylvanus, House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Z Form 10-300 (Rev. 6-72) PH0051756 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: Norfolk FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) DEC 3 1974 NAME COMMON: Gen.

Sylvanus Thayer Birthblace (use for publication) (ort Chay?o nlet AND/ OR HISTORIC: Thayer House LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: 786 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN: Braintree CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: 11th STATE Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) District * Building Site Structure CODE 025 COUNTY: Norfolk CODE 021 OWNERSHIP STATUS Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: In Process Being Considered Occupied Unoccupied - Preservation work in progress ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: Restricted Unrestricted No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government - Commercial Industrial Educational Military Entertainment X Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific - Transportation - Other (Specify) Comments OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: Braintree Historical Society STREET AND NUMBER: 786 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN: Braintree LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Norfolk County Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: REEENED JUL-29 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER STATE: fot Massachusetts CODE 025 Massachusetts Nobiolk STATE COUNTY: CITY OR TOWN: Dedham STATE Massachusetts CODE 025 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE OF SURVEY: 1967 Federal K State DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: ISTATE: Boston - County - Local Massachusetts CODE 025 DEC 3 ENTRY NUMBER 1974PA TE FOR NPS USE ONLY DESCRIPTION (Check One) - Deteriorated CONDITION X Excellent - Good (Check One) - Fair Ruins & Altered Unaltered DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

XX Moved - Unexposed (Check One) - Original Site The Gen.Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace was originally located at 1505 Washington Street and was moved to its present location at 786 Washington Street in 1958. The original 1720 structure was a 2-story 8-room center chimney ridge roof house, 5 bays wide and 1 deep. C.1760 a rear lean-to was added and the central chimney was altered to make the large fireplace in the kitchen. Double hung windows replaced the original front leaded windows and clapboards were added over the exposed siding boards of the exterior. C. 1800 a closed hip-roof entrance porch was added to the facade, the door flanked by side lights and Doric pilasters. Between 1800 and 1820 the interior beams and corner posts were boxed in and the wallpapers changed. C.1846 a 1½ story salt box shed, 5 bays by 3 bays, was added to the southern gable end of the structure.

This extension was slightly enlarged for caretaker's quarters c.1960. The house is covered with unpainted clapboard and red trim. The interior retains its original sheathing, panelling and fireplaces. Origi- nal wallpaper has been found and duplicated. In the Keeping Room is the most unusual architectural feature of the house- a sunken Buttery with brick floor, brick cooling tank, and shelves lining the four sides. The house sits on a broad residential street and is well landscaped with trees and shrubs. A split rail fence surrounds the back yard where a period herbal. garden has been planted. RECÊiVED JUL 2 9 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER <6 :00 M RUCTIONS -

The rest of the file

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

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) - Pre-Columbian! 15th Century 16th Century 17th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1720 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education - Prehistoric Engineering Historic Indus try 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) STAT.EMENT, OF Gen. Sylvanus Thayer's birthplace and boyhood home standsas a memorial to the man known as the "Father of West Point" and as the originator or techno- logical education in the United States.

The house, an excellent example of its time and period, was begun in-1720 by Sylvanus', great-great-grandfather, Nathanie Inayer. Sylvanus was born there in 1785. Sylvanus Thayer made his primary contribution to American history in the field of education. It was he who brought the United States Military Academy at : West Point to its high standards of excellence. As Commandant of the Academy for 16 years, from 1817-1833, Thayer placed an indelible stamp on the militany life of our nation. The progressive educational methods he initiated, among them the honor system, are still in use at West Point and have been copied all over the world. Thayer was sent overseas in 1815 to study the military systems of Europe and particularly the science of war as practiced in the army of Napoleon.

He arrived in the English Channel 2 days after Waterloo and rode into Paris with the staff of the Duke of Wellington. On his return, Thayer brought with him the first extensive technological library in the United States, with which he established a college-level course in engineering at West Point, 50 years be- fore any other such course. In 1837 Thayer took charge of developing the defenses of the Atlantic seaboard; Fort Warren in Boston Harbor ( a NHL) is one of the fortifications for which he drew the plans. Thayer was again in Europe in 1842, to study military fortifications and science on the continent. In 1853 he retired as Brigadier General to spend the closing years of his life in Braintree. Though too. old for active service during the Civil War, Thayer returned from retirement to serve as military advisor for the Union Army.

Thayer had attended Dartmouth College for 4 years, leading his class, and was preparing his valedictory when he was called to enter West Point. He left immediately, saying, "When your country wants you it must not wait." Loyal to the school from which he had not graduated, Thayer established and endowed the Thayer School of Civil Engineering (for graduate study) at Dartmouth in 1867. He was also the founder of Thayer Academy, a preparatory school, and Thayer Public Library, both in Braintree. Thayer sold the Birthplace in 1846 and it was subsequently the home of three other families. In 1957 the house was given to the Braintree Historical Soci ety and moved to its present location. The building has been restored to the cont'd MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 1. West Point Society of New England, Gen.Sylvanus Thayer, pamphlet,1960. Dictionary of American Biographies, Chicago ,1970.

Braintree Historical Society, Gen.Sylvanus Thayer Birthblace, pamphlet,1974. Records of the Braintree Historical Society.

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY LATITUDE AND LONGIT'JDE COORDINATES DEFINING THE LENTER POINI OF A PHOPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES CORNER LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NW 42 ° 12- 22- 71 o- 00 ,17 " NE SE SW APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: less than 1 acre ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY SOUNDARIES CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: *RECÊNED JUL 2 91974 NATIONAL REGISTER CODE CODE CODE FORMPREPAREDBY NAME AND TITLE: Mindy Arbo,N.R.Editor, for Elizabeth Amadon, Acting Exec.Director ORGANIZA TION Massachusetts Historical Commission DATE 11/21/68 STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: Boston 617-727-8470 2.

STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION STATE Massachusetts 02108 CODE 025 NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION As the des ignated 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 lel e1 of significance of this nomination is: Nationa State Local Name Matioen FXVanse ecretary of the Commonwealth Title Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission Date 7/24/74 I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa 1 Register. Aftuartas. Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Date. 12/5/74 ) Keeper of The National Registe Date N0v.27,1974 * U.S.

( GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1973-729-147/1442 3-| UTM 19/334510 467/400 - Form 10-300a (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Continuation Sheet) Gen.Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Norfolk FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DEC 3 1974 DATE (Number all entries) 8. SIGNIFICANCE period of Thayer's boyhood and now serves as a community historical center. The Gen.Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace was certified as a Massachusetts Historic Landmark November 21, 1968. 11/ 131141 RECÊIVED JUL 29 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER GP O 921.724 PROPERTK hayer, Sen. Sylwanus, Birthplac As Mass. WORKING NUMBER 8.29.74.1353 TECH REVIEW PHOTOS 3 MAPS Norflk CONTROL REVIEW am 8.29 OK HISTORIAN ARCHITECTURAT, HISTORIAN & vomo in a two story oue bay deep house?

chance to hathawel Thaye House REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF sole Conference MBarnEs ACEPT weu ovt elova 11-2076 KEEPER Lgmrtaph 11/22/74 National Register Write-up 1-13-75 Federal Register entry 2-4-75 Send-back _ Re-submit_ Entered DEC 3 1974 MEMORANDUM OF CALL Bill 2 YOU WERE CALLED BY- lind (Organizatio -YOU WERE VISITED BY- Orbes 7PLEASE CALL - WILL CALL AGAIN RETURNED YOUR CALL PHONE NO. CODE/EXT. I IS WAITING TO SEE YOU WISHES AN APPOINTMENT MESSAGE in regand to the Thayer House. The descriflion is correct , verifiedby Abbett Cummings RECEIVED BY STANDARD FORM 63 REVISED AUGUST 1967 SA FPMR (41 CFR) 101-11.6 1/20 *u, s. GPO: 1973 - 509-363 5:40 63-108 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered DEC 3 1974 Name Location Thayer, General Sylvanus, House Braintree Norfolk County Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W.

Brooke Hon. James A. Burke Regional Director, North Atlantic Region PR Also Notified State Historic Preservation Officer Hon. John F.X. Davoren Secretary of the Commonwealth Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission 40 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 MMott/cha 12-11-74 FORM (6/72) 10-301 A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or en close with photograph) AND/OR HISTORIC Thayer House 1. NAME COMMON Gen.Sylvanus Thayer Birthplace 2. L.OCATION STATE -Massachusetss STREET AND NUMBER 786 Washington Street 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT David Walker 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

West facade of house NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) DEC 3 1974 COUNTY Norfolk TOWN Braintree DATE 1974 NEGATIVE FILED AT photographer 3 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER RECEiVED JUL 291974 NATIONAL REGISTER IIT TOLTE GPO 932-009 CREDIT MUST BE GIVEN IF USED FOR PUBLICATION PHOTO BY DAVID M. WALKER 235 Brainti 02184 FORM 10-301 A (6/72) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or en close with photograph) 1. NAME COMMON AND/OR HISTORIC Gen.Sylvanus Thayer Birthplade Camt: Thayer House 2. LOCATION Massachusetts CONOIfo1k STREET AND NUMBER 786 Washington Street 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT DATE David Walker 1974 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. The south side and east (rear) elevation, with back yard.

NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) DEC 3 1974 TOWN Braintree NEGATIVE FILED AT photographer PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER 5 RECEiVED JUL 29 1974 NATIONAL REGISTE: 6. GPO 932-009 FORM 10-301 A (6/72) CREDIT MUST BE GIVEN USED FOR PUBLICATION PHOTO BY UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or en close with photograph) AND/OR HISTORIC Thayer House 1. NAME COMMON GenSylvanus Thayer Birthplace 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER 786 Washington Street 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT David Walker 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

INuMErIC Code (Assigned by NPS) DEC 3 1974 COUNTY Norfolk TOWN -Braintree DATE 1974 NEGATIVE FILED AT photographer 3 East (rear) elevation PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER 5 RECEiVED JUL 291974 NATIONAL REGISTER ITOL GPO 932-009