Nomination for Provincetown Public Library

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) PHOI2/509DATA SHEET UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RECEIVED APR 07 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM DATE ENTERED APR 8 1 1975 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS NAME HISTORIC Provincetown Public Library AND/OR COMMON 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 330 Commercial Street CITY.

TOWN Provincetown _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 12 STATE 3 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY -DISTRICT XBUILDING(S) STRUCTURE SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP PUBLIC APRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS _BEING CONSIDERED _VICINITY OF CODE 025 STATUS XOCCUPIED -UNOCCUPIED -WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE - YES: RESTRICTED XYES: UNRESTRICTED _NO COUNTY Barnstable CODE 001 PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE -MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL -PARK XEDUCATIONAL - PRIVATE RESIDENCE -ENTERTAINMENT -RELIGIOUS -GOVERNMENT -SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL -TRANSPORTATION _MILITARY YOTHER: Library OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Trustees of the Provincetown Library STREET & NUMBER 330 Commercial Street CITY. TOWN STATE Massachusetts 02657 Provincetown VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC. Barnstable County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER Route 6A CITY.

TOWN STATE Massachusetts Barnstable REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1975 FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTY LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS Massachusetts Historical Commission CITY. TOWN STATE Boston, Massachusetts 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION _EXCELLENT _GOOD XFAIR 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 Provincetown Public Library is located in the center of Provincetown on the northwest side of Commercial Street. It is residential in scale, as is the rest of the town, and is an important visual element in the town-scape. The Library is architecturally significant as the only büilding in town with a mansard roof and is compatible in height, massing, set-back, and color with the other buildings in the area. The Library is 2 stories high with a vernacular mansard roof, covered with clapboards instead of roofing material. The building rests on a low brick foundation with no cellar, and the only entrance is set two steps up from the street level. A l story portico with vernacular carvings and dentils shelters the entrance. The cornice is supported by paired scroll work brackets, and simple pilasters define the corners of the building.

The windows of the first two floors have 1/1 (modern) sash topped with triangular and segmentally arched pediments supported on brackets. The windows in the mansard roof are arched and topped by shallow gable dormers.except for the window above the portico, which is topped by an Italianate modillioned cornice. The building once had a cupola which was either blown off or removed many years ago; the planned restoration includes replacing the cupola. Three windows which are now covered will also be restored to their original condition. The exterior of the building is covered with vinyl siding because the Library could not afford the upkeep of the wooden clapboards. The siding imitates in color and size the original clapboards.. The interior of the building is simple and unpretentious. The walls are plaster and the trim is plain painted wood.

Because the building has always been used as a library much of the interior is original. 2:06 8

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD -PREHISTORIC 1400-1499 -1500-1599 -1600-1699 -1700-1799 X1800-1899 -1900- ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE ART .COMMERCE .COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _CONSERVATION LAW _ECONOMICS XLITERATURE XEDUCATION _MILITARY -ENGINEERING _MUSIC _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT _INVENTION _RELIGION SCIENCE _SCULPTURE _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1874 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT The Provincetown Public Library is significant both architecturally and as an important cultural resource for the community it serves. Built by the town in 1874 to serve as a public library, its style is a delightful example of provincial civic architecture; it is also the only example of this style in town. The Library is an expression of conmunity pride; it is an elegant building in a charm- ing but economically depressed town. The building is privately owned by the Trustees of the Library, but is funded by the town. The Library is also an important educational and cultural resource for the people who live in Provincetown. The town is famous for its community of artists and writers, many of whom are internationally known. The Provincetown Public Library has traditionally served this artistic community as well as the other residents of the town.

Some of the famous library card holders include Eugene O'Neill, John Dos Passos, Sinclair Lewis, Franz Kline, Robert Motherwell, Tennessee Williams, and Norman Mailer. The Provincetown .Public Library is a social center, a source of information, the preserver of the town's unparalleled historical record, and a focal point in Provincetown's unique human scale appearance. By serving America's great artists, and authors, it helps to enrich all our lives.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 1. Jennings, Herman, Provincetown: odds and Ends from the Cape Tip 2. Town Reports, 1874 3.

Provincetown Advocate, 1874 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA less than one acre ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY _ UTM REFERENCES AL1,2 L49188,0 ZONE EASTING 1495.99701 NORTHING LiliLu VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION ZONE LIILL NORTHING LILwLlu 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 ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN Boston, Christine Boulding, Assistant Survey Director DATE March 1975 TELEPHONE TODO IVOSE 617-727-8470 STATE JoMassachusetts 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 National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. S.H.P. O FEDERAL REPRESENFATIVE SIGNATURE Eljabick R. Amadon TITLE Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer DATE Tharch 24,1975 FOR NPS USE ONLY 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Louis BTCECALNRRESERVATION KEEPER OFTHE NATIONAL REGISTER DATE DATE 4/71/75 7.17.25 Property Ipovincetous Puklia Libay Nassachusotto Working Number 4. 7,25, 614 TECHNICAL Photos. 2 Maps ARCHITECTURAL Barnstable CONTROL pe 4.9.25 HISTORIAN Accept E.

Smitt 4-11-15 HISTORIAN ACCEPT LEBOVICH 4-11-75 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory - Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Accm Cole 4.11-75 BRANCH CHIEF auý tuupo 4/625 KEEPER fo Mentogf y-17.25 Entered APR 2 1 1975 INT:2106-74 National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 6-3-75 Send-back Re-submit United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 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 RECEIVEDAPR 07 197 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORA TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Provincetown Public Library AND/OR COMMON LOCATION CITY, TOWN -VICINITY OF Provincetown COUNTY Barnstable PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Larry Maglott NEGATIVE FILED AT IDENTIFICATION DATE OF PHOTO February 1975 361b Commercial Street, Provincetown, Massachusetts DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT. GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET Provincetown Public Library, East elevation #|82 Massa PH Provincetoun PuBLIC LiBraPROTEHIY OF THE NATION Fast elevation #|g2 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 NPSUSE ONLY TRECEIVED APR 02 APR DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER F TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Provincetown Public Library AND/OR COMMON LOCATION CITY, TOWN _VICINITY OF Provincetown COUNTY Barnstable Massa PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Larry Maglott DATE OF PHOTO February 1975 NEGATIVE FILED AT IDENTIFICATION 361b Commercial Street, Provincetowa Massachusetts DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET Provincetown Public Library, Facade #292 #2g2 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL 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 RECEIVEDAPR 07 1975 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP APR 8 1 975 1 NAME HISTORIC AND/OR COMMON Provincetown Public Library 2 3 4 same LOCATION CITY. TOWN Provincetown - VICINITY OF MAP REFERENCE SOURCE U.S.G.S., Provincetown, Mass. quadrangle SCALE 1:24,000 DATE 1958 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3.

UTM REFERENCES COUNTY Barnstable STATE MA INT: 2986-75 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered APR 2 1025 Name Location Brooks, Shepherd, Estete Hillaide Avenue llistorie Diatrict Park Street Railroad Station Carney, Sergeant Wtllfar H., Rome Provincetown Publie Library Wade, Jonathan, House Medford Middlesex County Medford Milddlesex County Medford Middlesex County New Medford Bristol County Provincetow Barnstable County Medford Middlesex County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W. Brooke Hon. Torbert H. MacDonald Hon. Gerry E. Studds Regional Director, North Atlant1e Region Mr. Robert F. Crecco, DOT MMott/row 4/23/75 State Ilistorie Preservation Officer Mre. Elizabeth R.

Anadon Executiva Directox Massochusetta Historical Conmisaion 40 Beacon Street Boaton, Massachusetts 02108 NR Data Sheet DATE: 31777 Reviewer NR DOE 4/21/75: (4-21-15) /NAMEAS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: Provincetown Public Library OTHER NANES: LOCATION: STREET & NUMBER CITY.

TOWN 330 Commerc1al Street Provincetown CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT 12th VICINITY OF STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Barnstablee 001 OWNER OF PROPERTY: (Circle) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL COUNTY FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME) : OTHER ADMINISTRATOR(underline) NPS REGION: (CIRCLE) MID ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST MIDWEST SOUTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FEATURES: INTERIOR bubstantially intact-1 unknown - 4 - not applicable - 7 CONDITION - -EXCELLENT -GOOD LFAIR EXBRIOE VRONS Loubstantially intact-2 ubstantially intact-3 _ unknown.-5 _.unknown -6 - not applicable - 8 -Not applicable-9 -Interioz, exterior, environs not intact-o -_DETERIORATED _UNALTERED _RUINS ALTERED _UNEXPOSED -Reconstructed LORIGINAL SITE _MOVED _Unknown _U'nexcavated _Excavated ACCESS - Yes-restricted Yes-unrestricted No access Cnknown historic district? YES WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT?

IF YES, NAME: YES WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? IF YES, NAME: YES ADAPTIVE USE: YES ) Saved?

YES NO FUNCTION(S): (use vocabulary words) then- Whrary now- same - SIGNIFICANCE: -ARCHEULUGY-PREHISTORIC -ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGAICULTURE - LARCHITECTURE -ART _COMMERCE -COMMUNICATIONS -CONSERVATION _ECONOMICS 1O-LEDUCATION -ENGINEERING -EXPLORATION _INDUSTRY INVENTION Claims "first" YES NO -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE __LAW/Gov't/politics 17LATERATURE _MILITARY -MUSIC _PHILOSOPHY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT "oldest" YES NO -RELIGION _SCIENCE -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -_TRANSPORTATION -_OTHER (SPECIFY) "'only" YES .-entertainment -health - recreation -settlement _ socio/cultural - urban & commun planning EXAMPLEOF 2ND EMPIRE STILE NO Lu TOWN ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: SECOND EMPIRE architect/m.builder: landscape/garden designer: interior decorator: ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (label role & personal appropriate date) engineer: artist/artisan: builder/contractor: events DATES: institutional NASE Or CONSINiGTEN Isresitio daco ox 21/4 of centirn: 1874 DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS : HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) : SOURCE: (OF NOMINATION) OTHER PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV"T FEDERAL 'AGENCY: ACREAGE (to nearest tenth of an acxol lesi than !

MUNICIPAL COUNTY COMMENTS: (include architectural information here) FRAME, CLAPBOARDING; 2 STORIES roof, PLS MANSARD, RELTANGULAR, INTERIOR CHIMNEYS, FRONT CENTER ENTRANCE ARFELLATED BY I-STORY DISTYLE PORCH,SEEMENTOL AND TRIANGULAR PEDIMENTED WINDOW HOODS, SEGIMENTAL- ARCHED GAB- LED DORMERS, CORNER PILASTERO; RESTORÄFION IN PROGRESS. ONLY EXAMPLE OF SECOND EMPIRE STYLZ in PROVINCETOWN& TOWN SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE: (maximum two sentences) CENTER AND REPOSITORY FOR LOCAL RECORDS.