Nomination for U.S. Customshouse

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PHO280356 DATA SHEET FOR NPS USE ONLY OCT 2 4 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED DATE ENTERED NOV 1 g 19/5 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 2 3 4 NAME HISTORIC United StatesCustomg Hlouse, Distriet 7 AND/OR COMMON Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum LOCATION STREET & NUMBER Cobbs Hill, Boute 6A CITY.

TOWN Barnstable STATE - VICINITY OF CODE 025 NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 12th th COUNTY Barnstable CODE Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION 001 CATEGORY _DISTRICT XBUILDING(S) STRUCTURE SITE -OBJECT OWNERSHIP X PUBLIC _PRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS -BEING CONSIDERED STATUS _OCCUPIED XUNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE XYES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED -NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE - MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL _PARK X EDUCATIONAL -PRIVATE RESIDENCE ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT _SCIENTIFIC -INDUSTRIAL -TRANSPORTATION _MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Town of Barnstable STREET & NUMBER Town Office Building, Main Street CITY. TOWN Hyannis VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION STATE Massachusetts 02601 COURTHOUSE REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC. Barnstable Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER Route 6A CITY.

TOWN STATE Massachusetts 02601 Barnstable REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1974 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS Massachusetts Historical Commission CITY, TOWN Boston _FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTY -LOCAL STATE Massachusetts 02108 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION _EXCELLENT XGOOD FAIR DETERIORATED RUINS -UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE -UNALTERED X ALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE. DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The United States Customs House (now the Trayser Museum) in Barnstable is located on Cobbs Hill at the eastern end of the village, facing north on Main Street (Route 6A). Across the street is the Unitarian Church, and beyond that, Barnstable Harbor. There are no other buildings immediately adjacent to the Customs House except for the Old Jail (on the National Register) which was moved to its present location beside the Customs House in 1973. of an acre with decorative iron fencing marking the back boundary. A small hip roofed carriage house with two large double doors is situated behind the Customs House. The Customs House, a 2 story hip roofed red brick building, rests on a high granite foundation.

A string course topped by a dentiled molding marks the division between the firstand second floor, and the cornice repeats this decorative detail with two rows of dentils and a string course below. The fenestration is regular and all the windows are identical, with 2/2/2 sash. The top lights in all the windows fit into a semi-circular opening which is in turn topped by a cast iron hood molding. There is a central doorway topped by a semi-circular arch identical to the window arches on either side of the door, in the facade and rear elevation. A cast iron balcony supported by elaborate brackets extends across the three second floor windows in the shallow pavilion of the facade. A flight of granite steps leads up to the facade entrance. The original low pitched hip roof was of corrugated iron, and supported a balustrade between the five brick chimneys which served the interior fireplaces.

When the steam heating system was installed four of the chimneys and the balustrade were removed. A new higher slate hipped roof was installed over the old roof, and the flag pole which was placed on the new roof is now used as a landmark by the United States Geological Survey,- The slate on the new roof was replaced by asphalt in 1971 because of the high cost of maintenance. to anos The interior contains most of the original cast iron structural and decorative features. Five square cast iron columns with Corinthian capitals support the second floor, and a broad cast iron staircase with an ornate banister rises along the west wall. Other interior features include Doric and Tuscan pilasters, plain plaster walls, and maple floors. Most of the wood paneled partitions from the building's Post Office days were taken out when the building was converted in 1960 into the Donald G.

Trayser Museum.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD -PREHISTORIC - 1400-1499 - 1500-1599 -1600-1699 X1700-1799 -1800-1899 -1900- -ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE ART XCOMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE - CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW -COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE CONSERVATION _LAW - ECONOMICS _LITERATURE _EDUCATION _MILITARY -ENGINEERING -MUSIC -EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY INDUSTRY POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -INVENTION - _RELIGION _SCIENCE SCULPTURE SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER TRANSPORTATION -OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1855-56 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

DEMU1 BUILDER/ARCHITECT The Barnstable Customs House is significant not only for its architectural merit but also for its role in the shipping industry on Cape Cod in the nineteenth century. The architect of the building cannot definitively be named. Local sources claim that Alfred B. Mullett designed the building. However, this seems unlikely because Mullett was not connected with the Treasury Department when the Customs House was built in 1855. Ammi B. Young, Supervising Architect of the U.S. Treasury during the 1850's was most likely the architect because he was involved with the design of most of the customs houses and post offices built during that decade. The large number of these buildings, reflecting the tremendous States in the mid-nineteenth century attest to Young's proficiency in his field.

Many of these Federal buildings were designed in the rather heavy Italian style dos&gmnod ih the rathor ên hàn agit exhibited by the Barnstable Customs House. The Customs House, the first "fireproof" building ón Cape Cod,' and its style, massing, and materials were in marked contrast to the typical wood frame buildings which had traditionally been constructed in the area. The Seventh Customs District was established by an act of Congress in 1789, and encompassed all of Barnstable County except Falmouth. The district ranked fourth among the Massachusetts Customs Districts, following Boston, Salem, and New Bedford. By 1850, 91,102 tons of shipping had been reported and the need for a n of shipin customs house was obvious. Prior to the construction of the Barnstable Customs House each Collector had been required to use his own place of business to collect the taxes.

After the Civil War however, the shipping receipts in the Seventh Customs District gradually decreased until the District was made part of the Boston District in 1913. The building continued to.beused by the Post Office until 1958, and the Cape Cod Extension Service used the second floor from 1924 until 1957. In 1960 the building was turned over to the Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum and now contains exhibits relating to the maritime history of Barnstable, as well as artifacts from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Barnstable Registry of Deeds National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, Three Centuries of Customs Houses 1972 Trayser, Donald G., ed. Barnstable - Three Centuries of a Cape Cod Town, Hyannis, Mass. F.B. & F.P. Goss, 1939 U.S.

Treasury Department, History of Public Buildings Under Control of the Treasury vepar tment- washungton Government Printing VIlIce GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 1/3 acre UTM REFERENCES A[1,9] ZONE 1319,218,9,01 EASTING 14,611,710,9,0 NORTHING C ZONE DLI EASTING duLl.L NORTHING Lielu VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME/TITLE Christine Boulding, Assistant Survey Director, and Louis Cataldo ORGANIZATION DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission October 8, 1975 STREET & NUMBER TELEPHONE 294 Washington Street 617-727-8470 CITY OR TOWN STATE Boston Massachusetts 02108 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL_ STATE LOCAL _ As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the NationalRegister and certify that it hasbeen evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE TITLE Elijabit Ree Amaem DATE Mass. State Historic Preservation Officer 10/17/75 FOR NPS USE ONLY 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY Acting SINGUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DIRECTOR. ATTEST FICE OMACH DATE ND AISTORIC PRESERVATION DATE KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL NOV 1 0-1975 GPO 888-445 Property Unit StateMase. Hute Curton Hauce, Disteit 7 Working Number 2.8.25.1225 Barustable TECHNICAL CONTROL Photos cm Maps OK 7.11.75 HISTORIAN Grant wasn't president in 1855-56. In fauct he didn't become president until 1869, Accept so Alfred E.Smith wonder do they Mullettoadent beenapointed barktot intt was this 7-18-75 justamistake. Has architectkral ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN significance and Commercial ACEPT significance. LEBOVICH 7-16-25 ARCHEOLOGIST seenew ingo.

OTHER Accept 7 10/51/20- HAER Inventory - Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Refene SANCHSHIS accpt, Herring tor 11-3-75 KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 2.3-76 Send-back 8.13.75 Re-submit 10.24.75 Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 NOV 1 n 1975 NOV 12 1975 INT:2106-74 Form No. 10-301a (Pev. 10-7+) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED OCT 2 4 1975 WOV 1 2 1975 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH 1 2 NAME HISTORIC United States Customs House, District 7 AND/OR COMMON Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum LOCATION CITY. TOWN -_VICINITY OF Barnstable PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Tales of Cape Cod, Inc. NEGATIVE FILED AT 47 Cherry St.

Hyannis, MA 02601 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET North facade and east elevation COUNTYBarnstable STATE MA DATE OF PHOTO 1973 PHOTO NO 1 Form No. 10-301 (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED OCT 24 1975 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP NOV 1 g 1975 1 2 3 4 NAME HISTORIC U,S. United States Customs House, District 7 AND/OR COMMON LOCATION Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum CITY.TOWN _VICINITY OF Barnstable MAP REFERENCE SOURCE U.S.GoS., Hyannis quadrangle SCALE DATE 1:24,000 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3.

UTM REFERENCES 1961 COUNTY Barnstable STATE MA INT: 3464- 75 AVE LEEAATOO Paul Guzzi Fecretary of the Commonrwealch 17 October 1975 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary Massachuselts Historical Commission 294 asshingtin Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 727-8470 CELSTE INOLIVN Mr. Charles Herrington, Chief Registration National Register of Historic Places National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Charles: Enclosed please find two National Register nominations for the following properties: 1. Plainville, North Attleboro, Angle Tree Stone 2. Franklin, Red Brick School Also enclosed is the re-submission of nomination for the U.S. Customs House in Barnstable.

These properties have been voted eligible for submission by the Massachusetts Historical Commission (the State Review Board) and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer, Elizabeth R. Amadon. Sincergly yours, Tat Patricia I. Weslowski Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission PLW/mw Enclosures 159 RECEIVED OCT 2 4 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER 1 THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES DATE REC'D/0/24/75 - INDIVIO É RESPONSE (ATTACH INF-RM TIVE MATERIAL SENT TLL./HI_NE C.LL (ATTACHED) DATE AGTION TAKEN INITIALS ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered NOV 1 2 1975 Name Location u.S. Untted Statee Custome Jouse, Distsiet-7 Matthevs Pulling M$11 Site Bamastable Bernstable County North Brookfleld vieinity Woreester County Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W. Beooke Eon. Gerzy E. Studds Hon, Idward P.

Boland Regional Director, North Atlantic Region PR MMott/row 11/14/75 Also Notified State Ilistorie Presarvation Officer Mes. Blizabeth R. Amadon Executive Dizeetor, Masaschusstta Historical Cormission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachnsetta 02108 INT: 2950-75 dNR Data Sheet DATE: 3/16/77 Reviewer INTIZAIS: Geaff DOE Nov. 12, 1975 NAME AS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: U.S. Customhouse OTHER NANES: Donald G. Trayser Memorial Museum-ReC. LOCATION: STREET & NUMBER Cobbs Hill, MA. Rte. 6A CITY.

TOWN CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT 12th STATE Baenstable Massachusetts VICINITY OF OWNER OF PROPERTY: (Circle) COUNTY Barngtabfode Public LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL 001 OTHER ADMINISTRATOR(underline) FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME) : NPS REGION: (CIRCLE) ( N.ATLANTIC MID ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST MIDWEST SOUTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FEATURES: INTERIOR Substantially intact-b - unknown - 4 - not applicable - 7 CONDITION - _EXCELLENT -6000 -FAIR EXTERIOR ENVIRONS ESubstantially intaco-2 Substantially intact-3 _unknown.-s _ unknown -6- - not applicable - 8 -Not applicable-9 -Interio=, exterior, environs not intact-0 _DETERIORATED _UNALTERED _RUINS JALTERED _UNEXPOSED _Reconstructed LORiGINAL SITE MOVED __Unknown _Unexcavated _Excavated ACCESS - Yes-restricted historic district? Yes-urrestricted No access Unknown YES WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT?

IF YES, NAME: YES NO WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? IF YES, NAME: YES NO ADAPTIVE USE: YES NO Saved? YES NO FUNCTION (S): (use vocabulary words) then- customhouse now- Edueational, nuceum SIGNIFICANCE: _ARCHEULOGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC -AGRIGULTURE LANCHITECTURE - 4 -ART LCOMMERCE - Le -COMMUNICATIONS Claims "Sfirst" _CONSERVATION _ECONOMICS _EDUCATION ENGINEERING _EXPLORATION INDUSTRY INVENTION FIREPRDOF ELDG. NOON CAPE. oldest? YES _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _RELIGION _LAW/ Gov't/politics _SCIENCE _LITERATURE _MILITARY SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN MUSIC _PHILOSOPHY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) _entertainment _health _recreation _settlement _socio/cultural _urban & commun planning "eonly" YES NO -ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: RENAISSANCE REUIVAL - NORTH ITALIAN MODE.

architectm.builder: attributed to landscape/garden designer: aMMI B.YOUNE interior decorator: engineer: artist/artisan: builder/contractor: ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (label role & per sonal appropriate date) events institutional DATES: DATE OF CONSTRLCTION (Specifie date oE 1/4 ol century).

/855 DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: 1973 HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) 1281, (713, 1958,1460 SOURCE: (OF NOMINATION) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER FEDERAL 'AGENCY: ACREAGE: (to nearest tenth of an acre) COMMENTS: (include arhitectural infornation here) BRICK, GRANITE FOUNDATION; 2 STORIES, RECTANEULAR, TRUNCATED HIPPED ROOF; FRONT CENTER GLAZED DOÜBLE- DOOR ENTRANCE WITH FAN LEHT, FLANKED PAVROUNNTEARCHED OPENINES; WBRACKETED IRON BALCONYYOUNHRDONDORNNANMUNESAMON MENOLUGAL SIMILAR REAK AND SIDE OPENINES, PROMINENT CONTRASTING AND DENTICULATED BELT COURSZ AND CORNICE; CAST-IRON STRUCTURAL AND DECORA- SIGNIFICANCE:(maximum two sentences) TIVE INTERIOR FEATURES; ORIGINAL LOW PITCH- REAR CARRIAGE HOUSE- ITALAN IRON ROOF WITH BALUSFRADE REPLACED, LATE 19TH Ci, RENAISSANCE REUWAL NORTW CTALIAN MODE.) FIRST FIREPROOR BUILDING ON THE CAPE; BUILT to Rardle Stipping at the DUED.

INCREASED TONNAGE USING FHE PORTO MUSEUM.