Nomination for 1790 House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form 10-300 (Rev.

6-72) PH0030287 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Middlesex INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE (Type all entries complete applicable sections) OcT 9 1974 NAME COMMON: North Congregational Parish Church AND/OR HISTORIC The 1790 House (use for publication) LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: 827 Main Street CITY OR TOWN: Woburn STATE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: 7th Massachusetts CODE COUNTY: 025 Middlesex CODE 017 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) District Site OWNERSHIP STATUS Building - Structure Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: In Process Being Considered Occupied X 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 Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific - OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: North Congregational Church STREET AND NÜMBER: Main Street CITY OR TOWN: Woburn LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Middlesex South Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: Cambridge Street CITY OR TOWN: Cambridge - Transportation ] Other (Spe (ix)12/ RECEIVED MAY 1 6 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER Comments TOl STATE: 67 1'8 Massachusetts VCODE 025 - Massachusetts Middlesex STATE Massachusetts CODE 025 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE OF SURVEY: 1968 and 1973 - Federal XI *State DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: - County - Local OCT co 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: ISTATE: Boston Massachusette CODE 025 znl9 ~ 4707670 STATE COUNTY: ENTRY NUMBER DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY 3Zz DESCRIPTION (Check One) - Deteriorated CONDITION Excellent 5 Good (Check One) - Fair Ruins - Unexposed (Check One) * Altered - Unaltered Moved Original Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSIGALIARPEARANCE Constructed 1790-1800, the 1790 House,827 Main Street,faces west on three acres of land, surrounded by modern commercial and residential development.

is a small section of woods, and one mile north is North Woburn Center. Across Main Street is a dwelling and field; to the gouthwest is a large shop-- ping center. To the east, behind the house, a vast field runs down to the Middlesex Canal (on the National Register). Across the canal lies the Baldwin Mansion (also on the National Register). The 1790 House is much the same in appearance today as it was when it was finally completed in 1800, though a small addition has been built to the rear. The house is a two-story hip-roof Federal, 7 bays wide and 4 deep, with wooder quoins, and covered with imitation ashlar on the facade and clapboards else- The facade projects a central 2-tiered balustraded porch topped by a triangular pediment. The porch is supported by two l-story Tuscan columns flanked by two 2-story Doric columns on pedestals at the corners.

Behind each of the four columns, on the facade, is a Doric pilaster, of the same heightm as the respective column. The one-story pilasters flank an entrance door; there is an identical door above it, opening onto the balcony. The pediment, pirch and house cornice are dentiled,as are the the lintels of the first floor - facade windows. The second floor windows on the main house are 8/12 and the. first floor windows are 12/12,and they are vertically connected by an unadorned u panel, the width of the window. The facade is covered with imitation ashlar and the other elevations are cov- ered with clapboard. The north and south elevations boast a handsome and elaborate off-center doorway. Surrounded by, small blocks of imitation ashlar, they are topped by a keystone and dentiled traingular pediment and are support- - ed by Doric pilasters.

A gable containing a Palladian window rises from the - roof on the east (rear) side; the arched ceiling of the second floor ballroom extends into this gable. A shed-roof lean-to runs along the east side and connects with a 2-story:, half-gambrel addition, 2 bays long,that extends east from the southeast corner. The half-gambrel addition has two ridge-roof dormers. The two additons are sided with clapboards and their windows are 6/6 sash. The interior retains all of its original elaborate mouldings, plaster work, and fireplace mantels. The original estate was composed of 80 acres, but has been diminished to 3. The original gateway to the estate was located on the present Elm Street, which was the main route to North Woburn before Main Street was laid out.

The entire property along Elm Street was bordered by an ornate fence which swept inward at the gates, and the driveway was lined on each side with Linden trees, imported from England. I N S 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) - 1790-1800 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education - Prehistoric X Engineering Historic Industry Agriculture Invention Architecture, Landscape Art Architecture Commerce Literature Communications Military Conservation Music # Political X Religion/Phi- losophy - Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation - Urban Planning Other (Specify) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

The 1790 House is primarily significant for its connection with Col.Loammi Baldwin. In 1790 Joseph Bartlett purchased 80 acres of land from Josiah Pierce, and began to erect a dwélling on the site. Mr.Bartlett was one of Woburn's first lawyers. He never completed the structure, however, and sold the frame and the surrounding lands to Col.Loammi Baldwin, whose lavish home and farm were just across the fields from Bartlett's property. Col.Baldwin (1745-1807) was one of the town's most respected and prosperous citizens. One of America's earliest civil engineers, he was responsible for the construction of the Middlesex Canal.

o oo He also commanded Woburn's militia at Lexington and Concord; was Colonel of the 26th Continental Regiment in the Revolution, Sheriff of Middlesex County, Representative to the Massa- chusetts General Court, and lastly, propogator of the world famous Baldwin Apple. The Colonel took Bartlett's frame and built an opulent Federalist manor, complete with a ballroom with domed ceiling on the second floor. Although he never took up residence there, he utilized the structure as a social hall on his 212 acre estate, which included his own home (The Baldwin Mansion, National Register) and several other structures. He opened the house in season for a Grand Centennial Ball in 1800. Many local notables attended, including the Countess Rumford. She was the daughter tAe daughter of his lifelong friend and Woburn neighbor, the scientist and philanthropist, Count Rumford.

(The Count's birthplace is on Elm Street at North Woburn Cen- ter). The 1790 House was the scene of many gay balls while the Colonel was alive. He gave a "Silk Stocking Ball" here in 1802 and there was also a gala here in 1803 to celebrate the opening of the Middlesex Canal. The canal, a principal engineering feat of the Colonel, is located just behind this beau- tiful home. Upon Col.Baldwin's death in 1807, the 1790 House passed into the hands of his several sons,three of whom were distinguished civil engineers in their own right, particularly Loammi II (1780-1838) who is often called "the fathet of American Civil Engineering". At least five ministers of early Woburn made their home in the 1790 House, including the Rev.S.Wydon of the Baptist Church, from 1808-1811andthe Rev.Thomas Water- man from 1811-1820,' when the Baldwin brothers sold the home to Archelaus Tay. cont'a

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 1. 2. 3. 4. Handbook of Woburn Historic Sites, unpub.,Woburn Public Library. Converse,P., Legends of Woburn,Boston, 1892. Cutter,w., Historic Homes and Places and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of Middlesex County,Mass., Boston, 1908. Historic American Building Survey:Catalogue of Mass., 1965. 10.

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 R LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NW 42 30' NE 105 72 09 34 SE SW APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: 3 acres ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE ORC1 2J BOUNDARIES STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE RECEiVED STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: MAY 1 6 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER CODE CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE 6/ FORM PREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: For Elizabeth Amadon,State Survey Director, By Mindy Arbo ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: Boston 617-727-8470A19 STATE Massachusetts 12.

STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION DATE 10/16/73 CODE :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 Nationa1 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: National - State Local. I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa 1 Register. APtorleuie Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Name Honorable John F.X avoren Secretary of the Commonwealth Date 10/9174 ATTEST:TKE.0 Title Chairman,Massachusetts Historical Commission Date 5/7/74 atharh Astenits Keeper of The National Regist Date (0.8-24 * U.S.

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1973-729-147/1442 3-l Form 10-300a (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (ContinuationSheet) The 1790 House, Woburn STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Middlesex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER OCT 9 DATE 1974 (Number all entries) 8. SIGNIFICANCE Mr .Tay resided in the house until 1827, and he allowed the Rev.Joseph Bennett of the First Congregational Church, to move in in 1822. The house was owned by Col.Charles Carter from 1827 to 1862. Rev.Melancthon Wheeler bought the home in 1865 and was pastor of the North Congregational Church until his death in 1870. It remained in the Wheeler family, and the famous American authoress,Frances Parkinson Keyes, Wheeler's granddaughter, visited here often.

She used the 1799 House as one of the settings for her novel, Roses in December. The home passed out of the Wheeler family in 1892, when it went through a succession of owners and was finally bought in 1956 by the North Congregational Church, the present owner. Since that time, it has been used at various times as a Parish House, Bible school, and social function hall. Over the years, many undocumented legends have been told by local residents concerning the 1790 House, which has also been known as the Count Rumford House, Joseph Bartlett House (HABS) ,Wheeler House, and Hill House. One of the most persistent legends has been that Col.Baldwin built the house for the self-exiled Count Rumford to return to from Europe.Chronological differences and Rumfonls simple tastes seem to rule this out. It is known that he never returned to America.

Another legend places the home as one of the stations on the Under- ground Railroad. An underground tunnel was supposed to have run across the fields (now Main Street) to the Baldwin farmhouse. In the 1790 House there is a small fireplace in the attic that was supposedly used by runaway slaves. The 1790 House has architectural significance as a handsome, ,example of a Feder- al mansion. Its notable features are its combination ofmitation and clapboards, its three pedimented and pilastered doorways, its rear Palladian window, and the elaborate interior moufdings and plaster work. NATIONAL REGISTER 0|1678 141/19119 GPO 921.724 PROPERTYNONR 1790 House Congregstonal Pasicl Church STATE MAsS 5.16.44.803 WORKING NUMBER TECH REVIEW PHOTOS 3 MAPS Middlesex CONTROL REVIEW 5.22 14 HISTORIAN Aseptte ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN iaudin in religion iwcal.

7 oedhaueben Accest 73/74 ARCHEOLOGIST REVIEW UNIT CHIEF cCan 9//2/14 BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER accut 10-8-74 National Register Write-up Nou.12.1974 Federal Register entry 12/3/74 Send-back - Re-submit_ Entered OCT_ 9 1974 INT:1538-73 Phô 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) AND/OR HISTORIC The 1790 House 1. NAME COMMON North Congregational Church Parish 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER 827 Main Street 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT J.J.Danca 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. rea East elevation (rear).

#I of 3 photos NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by N OCT 9 1976 COUNTY Middlesex T° Woburn DATE 1973 NEGATIVE FILED AT photographer RECEiVED MAY 1 6 1974 NATIONAL REGISTE ('81 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTE NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NF OCT 9 COUNTY Middlesex TOWN Woburn DATE 1973 N 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) AND/OR HISTORIC The 1790 House 1. NAME COMMON North Congregational Church Parish 2. L.OCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER 827 Main Street 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT J.J.Danca 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

South elevation #2 of 3 photos NEGATIVE FILED AT photographer 112) 1IL2) 13 RECÊIVED MAY 1 6 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER G PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NI OCT COUNTY Mi.ddlesex To Woburn DATE 1973 NEGATIVE FILED AT photographer 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. pho Ne 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) AND/OR HISTORIC The 1790 House 1. NAME COMMON North Congregational Church Parish 2. L.OCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER 827 Main Street 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT J.J.Danca west facade and north elevation, taken from northwest corner.

#3 of 3 photos RECEIVED MAY 1 6 1974 NATIONAL REGISTEr 6 8 GP PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGIS Form 10-301 (July 1968) 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) AND/OR HISTORIC 1. NAME COMMON North Congregational Church Parish 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER 827 Main Street NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) The 1790 House COUNTY Middlesex TOWN Woburn 3. MAP REFERENCE SOURCE U.S.G.S. Wilmington,Mass. DATE 1965 REQUIREMENTS: PROPERTY BOUNDARIES, WHERE REQUIRED, AND NORTH ARROW: SCALE 1: 24,000 TRLIUI 31LE RECÊIVEO 11/ MAY 1 6 1974 10 NATIONAL REGISTER THT GPO 932-010 ETIT-CAI AHE LRATATO GRUE John F. X.

Davoren Secrelary of the Commonrvealth May 13,1974 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Pecretary Massachusetts Histonical Commission 40 Beacon Stred Boston, Massachusetts 02108 727-8470 T12 National Register National Park Service 18th and C Streets Washington D.C. 20240 RECEIVED MAY 1 6 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER GTTBTL Attention: Charles Herrington,Chief of Register CERTIFIED MAIL Dear Charles: Enclosed are four National Register submissions for the following properties: 1. woburn, 2. Plymouth, 3. Plymouth, 4.

Arlington, The 1790 House, Jabez Howland House, Richard Sparrow House, Plymouth County The Jason Russel1 House, Middlesex County These have been declared eligible for submission by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the State Review Board, and have been signed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth John F.X.Davoren, Chairman of the Massachusetts Historical Commission and designated the State Liason Officer. Sincerely, Belly Elizabeth Amadon State Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission ERA/ma enclosures ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS OCT 9 1974, Date Entered Name Location Russell, The Jason, Hlouse Hale, Rev. John, House The 1790 House Sparrow, Richard, House Howland, Jaber, House Arlington Middlesex County Beverly Essex County Woburn Middlesex County Plymouth Plymouth County Plymouth Plymouth County Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W.

Brooke - Keooedeo nockted Hon. Thomas P. 0'Ne111, Jr. Hon. Michael J. larrington llon. Torbert H. MacDonald Hon. Gerry E. Studds Reglonal Director, North Atlantic Region PR MMott/row 10/11/74 State Historic Preservation Officer lion. John F. X. Davoren Secretary of the Conmonwealth Chairnen, Massachusetts Historical Comnission 40 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetto 02108 Ma NPS .OCT 3 1 1974 INFO. OFi.L October 29, 1974 Director National Park Service US Department of the Interior Washington D.C. 20240 Dear Sirs: On Cotober 22, 1974, our church's parish house was offically accepted for the National Register of Historic Places. It is known as "The 1790 House", Woburn, Massachu- setts. As Pastor of the church, I am interested in determining the meaning, the responsibilit- les, and the obligations this entails.

Please send me information on the regulations and guidelines of the National Register. Copies of legislation establishing the Register as well as amendments would be most desirous. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Per.MancyM.Flaszen Rev. Nancy 1 Send to: Rev- Nancy M. Klassen NObUFA+ MASS: 01801 134-28 M: ddle ser (osty, Mas NDN 11 51974 152 colr Heverend Nancy M. Klaseen 53 31m Street Vobum, Massachusetto 01801 Dear Reverend Klassen: Thank you for your reeent letter concerning the Ilating of "The 1790 House" in the National Regiater of Nistorie Places. Linting in the Natlenal Regiater is a governnental zecognition that a property possessas historie values. Such listing does not place restrictions upen a private ovner or upon a State or local governnent acting without Pederal Involvement.

It does, hovever insure that any Tederalageney contemplating an undertaking or 1icensing action which would have an effect en the property will allow the Advisery Couell on Illetorle Presorvation opportunity to revlew and corent on the action. Also, such listing makes the property eligtble fer finanelal assietance under Title I of the 1966 National Bistorle Preservation Aet (80 Stat. 915), as enended. He hope the enclosed leaflet and fact sheet will be useful to you, and ve shall be happy to ansver any further questions. Sincerely yours, Charles A. Herrington (Sgd.) for W111am J. Kurtagh Keeper of the lational Register Enclosuzes ec: Honorable John F. X. Davoren Secretary of the Conmonwealth Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission 40 Beacon Street Bosten, Massachusetts 02108 w/cy fnc. FNP :V Carbone:1m1:11/13/74 bcc: Regional Director, North Atlantic Region w/cy inc.

Director's Reading File DI DG w/cy inc. PR w/cy inc. BASIC FILE RETAINED IN PR