Nomination for Colonial Theatre

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) PHO200093 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIÓR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATA SHEET FOR NPS USE ONLY JUL 8 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED DATE ENTERED SSUL 24-1975 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES - COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS NAME 75001911 HISTORIC Meeting House Common; City Hall Park AND/OR COMMON Park Square Historic District (for publication) urethus 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER CITY.

TOWN STATE (Multiple) at intersection of North, South, Fast & West Streets NOT FOR PUBLICATION Pittsfield CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT - VICINITY OF CODE 025 First COUNTY Berkshire CODE 003 3 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY X DISTRICT -BUILDING(S) -STRUCTURE _SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP _PUBLIC _PRIVATE xBOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION _IN PROCESS BEING CONSIDERED STATUS XOCCUPIED -UNOCCUPIED WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE *YES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED _NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE 2MUSEUM *COMMERCIAL XPARK X EDUCATIONAL X PRIVATE RESIDENCE -ENTERTAINMENT * RELIGIOUS X GOVERNMENT -SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Multiple STREET & NUMBER CITY. TOWN STATE VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. Berkshire County Registry of Deeds (Middle District) REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC STREET & NUMBER 24 Wendell Avenue CITY.

TOWN Pittsfield STATE Massachusetts 01201 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1973 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY.TOWN _FEDERAL X STATE COUNTYLOCAL Massachusetts Historical Commission Boston STATE Massachusetts 02108 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION -EXCELLENT _GOOD FAIR DETERIORATED _RUINS CHECK ONE -UNALTERED XALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE. _UNEXPOSED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Park Square Historic District is located in the center of the city of Pittsfield and is composed of a small oval park surrounded by commercial, religious, cultural, and civic structures. Located at the convergence of four main streets - North, East, South, and West Streets - Park Square is a focal point both geographically and functionally. The Park Square District is made up of eight buildings, ranging in age from the first quarter of the nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. The district also contains several war memorials and a Civil War monument which are located on the lawn adjacent to the Court House and the Athenaeum and on the central oval park. Five buildings face south on the park and are described below from east to west: #1- The Berkshire County Savings Bank Building was built between 1894 and 1896, and was designed by Francis R.

Allen of Boston and constructed by Dodge and Devanny of Pittsfield. Its first two stories are Indiana lime- stone and the upper four stories are Roman brick. The sixth floor windows are set off above the rest of the building with a wide decorative cornice band above and a decorative string course below. A decorative band ver- tically separates the triple window groupings on the third, fourth, and fifth floors, and the larger bays on the first and second floors are un- adorned. The building is topped with a projecting cornice supported by brackets. #2- The Congregational Church (First Church of Christ) is a Gothic Revival building designed by New York architect Leopold Eidlitz. Built in 1853, the church is constructed of grey Pittsfield limestone laid in broken ashlar and trimmed with square quoins of rock-faced Great Barrington bluestone.

The frame of the building is made of chestnut from Pittsfield and nearby Lanesborough. The north-south ridge roof ends in a facade gable with stick style truss work, below which is a three-part Gothic window. The main en- trance in the center of the south facade is a heavy Gothic wooden door flanked by small lancet windows. On the southeast corner of the church is a clock and bell tower topped with gables adorned with finials and wooden truss work. A three-gabled nave with Gothic windows projects slightly from the east elevation, and as a counterbalance a small two-story ridge roof ell extends on the west end. #3- The Old Town Hall (listed in National Register in April 1972), 1832, is a two-story rectangular structure which replaced an earlier 18th century meeting house on the square. It is built of red brick with the front and back facades stuccoed.

The stucco is extended around the corners and scored to give the effect of quoining. On the front and back of the ridge roof is a balustrade of alternating solid panels and groups of turned posts. There are two brick chimneys at each end of the building. In 1969-70 the Old Town Hall was restored and internally renovated to serve as a bank branch and rental offices. (Continued) Form No. 10-300a (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVEDJUL 8 DATE ENTERED 1975 JUL 2 4 1975 Park Sq. Hist. Dist CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER PAGE 1 St. Stephen's Church was designed by the Boston architectural firm of Peabody and Stearns, and is English Gothic Revival in style. Its corner- stone was laid in 1889, and the edifice consecrated by the Right Reverend Phillips Brooks in 1892.

The church is built in Longmeadow brown sandstone and is distinguished by its central buttressed and crenelated tower which is 72 feet high. The stained glass windows in St. Stephen's are by Til- linghast and Tiffany. A modern addition has been made to the rear of the structure. #5- To the east of St. Stephen's is the D'Angelo-Bowlby Block which is a plain brick two-story commercial structure built around 1920. Facing north on the park are the following three buildings, described east to west: #6- The Berkshire County Court House was built in 1872 according to the design of Louis Weisbein of Boston. Executed in marble from Sheffield, the three-story building is a later example of Lombardi Romanesque architecture. A pedimented pavilion projects from the center of the north facade.

Two Tuscan columns support the front entrance above which is a grouping of three ellip- tically arched windows topped with a large fan window with keystone. Capping the entire pavilion is a dentiled pediment supported by large brackets and containing an oculus. Flanking the pavilion on the first floor are groupings of two elliptically arched windows with keystones. Above these are similar window groupings topped by third floor fan arches containing an oculus and keystone. Side elevations are treated similarly. A parapet supported by heavy brackets encircles the top of the building, and pilasters highlight the upper two floors at each building angle. A small one-story twentieth century annex, in a similar style, is located to the rear of the Court House. #7- The Berkshire Athenaeum, 1876, is a Venetian Gothic structure designed by William Appleton Potter of New York.

Its principal material is rock-faced Great Barrington bluestone relieved by polished pillars of red Missouri granite and sculptured cornices of red Longmeadow freestone. A double hip roof central block is flanked on either side by ridge roof sections with gables facing the street. Gable edges and finials are delineated in dark stone, and the roof ridges are surmounted by iron cresting. A number of dark string courses surround the entire building. The central entrance has a Gothic arch with staggered archivolts and alternating light and dark voussoirs. The Athenaeum was en- larged in 1897 by a small addition to the rear which has been attributed to the Boston firm of Hartwell, Richardson and Driver. #0- Also on the south side of the park is a row of brick structures erected during the third quarter of the 19th century and now occupied by stores on the ground level and apartments above.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD -PREHISTORIC _1400-1499 -1500-1599 -1600-1699 X_1700-1799 X_1800-1899 X__1900- AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW ARCHEULUGY-PREHISTORIC_COMMUNITY PLANNING _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC _CONSERVATION LLAW X AGRICULTURE _ECONOMICS X LITERATURE X ARCHITECTURE X EDUCATION X MILITARY ART -ENGINEERING _MUSIC X COMMERCE _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT PHILOSOPHY _COMMUNICATIONS _INDUSTRY *POLITICS/GOVERNMENT LINVENTION XRELIGION -SCIENCE * SCULPTURE _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -THEATER TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES Multiple BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT See statement of physical appearance STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Park Square Historic District is significant as the center of Pittsfield's early development and as the site of the nation's first agricultural fair. The town's first meeting house was built here in 1762, and in 1790 townsman John Chandler Williams donated the nearby land for a public park known as "Meeting House Common," and now called Park Square. Originally the park was triangular, although today it has assumed an oval shape. One of the highlights of the park was a giant elm tree beneath whichlafayette was welcomed in June 1825 as he journeyed from Albany to Boston to participate in the laying of the cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument. The great elm fell in 1861 when it was 340 years old, as judged by an examination of the annular rings, but the Park Square area remained the center of the city.

Here soldiers mustered to fight in the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. In 1872 a Civil War monument designed by sculptor Launt Thompson was placed in the park to honor Pittsfield men who served in the Union Army. Park Square achieved national significance when in August 1810 the country's first agricultural fair was held. The fair had grown out of a smaller expo- sition in 1807 when the exhibit under the old elm of the first two Marino sheep seen in New England stimulated a group of citizens to organize a larger show of various kinds of livestock. Out of this fair grew the Berkshire Agricultural Society for the Promotion of Agriculture and Manufactures, which became the model for many similar societies throughout the United States.

Ex- hibits by the Society stimulated the production of fine woolen broadcloth in the Berkshires, and in 1813 Elkanah Watson, the originator of the fair, sent cloth to James Madison for a suit he wore at his presidential inauguration. The nearby Town Hall was also used for some of the agricultural fairs, although its primary function has been as the seat of local government. From 1832 to 1892 it was known as Town Hall and between 1891 and 1968 as City Hall. It is the oldest existing city building in Pittsfield and the only remaining public building of late Federal architecture. The Old Town Hall was accepted in the National Register in April 1972, and is presently used as a bank and office building- The Old Town Hall was built and paid for by Mr. Lemuel Pomeroy, a parishioner of St. Stephen's Church.

His offer was designed to satisfy the needs of the town and also to settle a controversy between the town and St. Stephen's parishioners, both of whom wanted the property on which the present church and Town Hall are located. (Continued) 9

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Boltwood, E. The History of Pittsfield, 1876-1916. City of Pittsfield, 1916. Proceedings in Commemoration of the Organization in Pittsfield, February 7, 1764, of the First Church of Christ. Pittsfield: Sun Printing Co., 1889. Smith, J.E.A. The History of Pittsfield, 1734-1800. Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1869. Smith, J.E.A. The History of Pittsiield, 1800-1876. Springfield: C.W. Bryan 1876. willison, SG 4eT. History of Pittsfield, 1916-1955. City of Pittsfield, 195%.

10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 9 acres UTM REFERENCES AL1,81 L6| 4317,6,0 | 14 7L020|9/310/ ZONE EASTING NORTHING cL118 16/413/514,01 1417'0017,0,0 B ZoNl LAstialzael 0706810 NORTHING DL1,811614315,8,0 1470,9969 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 ORGANIZATION Judy Dobbs, National Register Editor Julz1 1975 Massachusetts Historical Commission 617-727-8470 STREET & NUMBER TELEPHONE 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN STATE Boston Massachusetts 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL- STATE_ LOCALX 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. STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE TITLE Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission Eljolate Ruo Amaon DATE July 2,1975 FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PRO PERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DATE DIRECTÓR, OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOG) AND HISTORIC PRESEA ATTEST: DATE 1/24/75 JUL 2 1 1975 KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 888-445 Form No. 10-300a (Rev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED L 8 1975 DATE ENTERED JUII 2 4 1975 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 2 The other church in the district, the Congregational Church, is built on the site of the original Bulfinch church (1793) which was destroyed by fire in 1851. The original clock in the Bulfinch church was saved from the fire and installed in the present church where it still operates. The Congrega- tional Church has been served by a number of eminent pastors, five of whom Later became presidents of such colleges as Dartmouth, Bowdoin, Amherst, Lafayette, and the University of Michigan. The County Court House (1872) was built after Pittsfield was made the county seat in 1868 by an act of the state legislature.

The property on which the Court House is located was the site of the home of John Chandler Williams, the donor of the park. Next to the Court Houses stands the Berkshire Athenaeum which was financed by three prominent businessmen in the community with the provision that it be a free and public library maintained by the town in perpetuity. In 1895 the private library of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes was presented to the Athenaeum by his son Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. Among the library's prize possessions is a collection of memorabilia of Herman Melville whose Moby Dick was written in Pittsfield. To the present day Park Square has remained the center of municipal activity. Band concerts are held in the park and the traditional Christmas tree graces the area during the holiday season.

The Park Square buildings themselves, many of which have been used for over a century, continue to attract people to this vital area of Pittsfield. 1-300a JNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVEDJUL 2 8 1975 DATE ENTERED JUL 2 4 1975 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER PAGE 3 Significance (continued) The Park Square Historic District is also significant as an important grouping of buildings designed by a number of outstanding nineteenth century architects. Not only are there examples of the work of Boston architectural firms, but also two buildings designed by New York architects. Among the architects represented in the district are Peabody and Stearns, Hartwel1, Richardson and Driver, Louis Weisbein, Francis R. Allen, William Appleton Potter, and Leopole Eidlitz.

It is significant that the Park Square buildings represent the sophisticated work of these well-known architects which was not common in other western Massachusetts towns. #10 Verbal Boundary Description The northern boundary of the district is the back property lines of the properties which face on Park Place and East Street. The eastern boundary is Wendell Avenue, beginning at the back property line of property #5 (sketch map), crossing East Street, and extending to the back property line of the Court House (#6 and #6A). The southern boundary is the back property lines of properties facing East Street and Bank Row. The western boundary is formed by South Street, beginning at Calvin Court, and North Street, ending at the back property line of #1.

UTM Reference (correction) D 18/643760/4700930 18/643700/4700680 18/643540/4700700 18/643580/4700960 Pack Squae Heroe Dutiet Property Meeting Wouse Commor, Cey Taee Park Serksh lre statem assachesett Working Number 7.8.75.1274 TECHNICAL Natinet Sremat coNgROT. - HISTORIAN Concur with B:Il. Ca ll E. Smith 7-16-15 CUTSTAWDING DISTRILT LITH BULOINES DOWE BY SIEWIFICANT ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN ARCHITECTS. (Au? No STATEMENT OF ARCIA. SIG. HONeVErR :(OATE de AnEx?) D6 BSUNTERY DESCRDTION? L 711-75 1-16-75 Christan eo Wiei Boandaiss aue reae ARCHEOLOGIST ropentu lines. for arch. sigu, boundaro +710 OTHER HAER Inventory - Review Becouse the area is threatened I think we should REVIEW UNIT CHIEF accepta in, with the underctanding that a contination Accept Wo.R.

huce 1/22/75 BRANCH CHIEF Name: Palt Sunatrit 7.23-75 KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 9.2-73 Send-back Re-submit Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 EOUL 2 4 1975 JUL 2 4 1975 INT:2106- 74 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 UL 8 1975 2 3 DATE ENTERED 111 2 4 1975 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP NAME HISTORIC Meeting House Common; City Hall Park AND/OR COMMON Park Square Historic District (for publication) LOCATION CITY. TOWN Pittsfield _VICINITY OF COUNTY Berkshire STATE MA MAP REFERENCE SOURCE USGS, Pittsfield West Quadrangle SCALE 1:24,000 DATE 1959 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2.

NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES INT: 2986-75 Borkshire Athenaenm, Pittofied Maso. Form No. 10-301a (Pev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE : NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED JUL 8 1975 JUL 24 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Meeting House Common; City Hall Park AND/OR COMMON Park Square Historic District (for publication) LOCATION CITY. TOWN Pittsfield _VICINITY OF COUNTY Berkshire STA PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Donald S. Smith DATE OF PHOTO 1975 NEGATIVE FILED AT Berkshire County Historical Society, 113 East Housatonic Sti Pittsfield, MA 01201 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC.

IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET PHOTO Looking southeast: Berkshire Athenaeum #|74 #|g4 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONA LLI EE LEFT TO RIGHT - BERKSHIRE COUNTY SA Form No. 10-301a (Pev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USEONLY RECEIVED JUL 8 Jau PiTTS 3 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FO TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Meeting House Common; City Hall Park AND/OR COMMPark Square Historic District (for publication) LOCATION CITY. TOWN Pittsfield - VICINITY OF COUNTY Berkshire PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Donald S. Smith NEGATIVE FILED AT DATE OF PHOTO 1975 Berkshire County Historical Society, 113 East Housatonic Pittsfield, MA 01201 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET Looking northwest:Berkshire County Savings Bank, #234 First Congregational Church, Old Town Hall PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGIST Bukohie County Crus Arse , Pittofull Form No. 10-301a (Pev.: 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED JUL 8 19 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORM TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH NAME HISTORIC Meeting House Common; City Hall Park AND/OR COMMON Park Square Historic District (for publication) LOCATION CITY. TOWN Pittsfield _VICINITY OF COUNTY Berkshire S PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Donald S.

Smith DATE OF PHOTO 1975 NEGATIVE FILED AT Berkshire County Historical Society, 113 East Housatonic Sti Pittsfield, MA 01201 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET PHOT Looking southwest: Berkshire County Court House #304 #384 MOPERTY OF THE NATIONAL Form No. 10-301a (Pev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONALPARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED JUL 8 1975 DATE ENTERED JUL 2 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPHi 2 3 NAME HISTORIC Meeting House Common; City Hall Park AND/OR COMMON Park Square Historic District (for publication) LOCATION CITY, TOWN Pittsfield _VICINITY OF COUNTY Berkshire STAT PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Joel Librizzi DATE OF PHOTO : 1970 NEGATIVE FILED AT Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA 01201 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET PHOTO 1 Looking southeast, left to right: Berkshire County Court House, #474 Berkshire Athenaeum, 19th century comme block Foreground: Soldiers' Memorial 14:34 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 RECEIVED UL 8 1975 4 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP 2 3 4 NAME HISTORIC Meeting House Common; City Hall Park AND/OR COMMOPark Square Historic District (for publication) LOCATION CITY, TOWN Pittsfield -VICINITY OF COUNTY Berkshire STATE MA MAP REFERENCE SOURCE City of Pittsfield Assessors Map SCALE 1" = 200' DATE no date REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES Map of Park Square Historic District with properties identified on accompanying keyiwt: 2986-75 WEST ST. PARK SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT NATIONAL REGISTER TETT12 111181/19 RECÊIVED JUL 8 1975 NORTH ST. SOUTH 2 ALLEN wENDELL PARK PL. PARK BANK - ROW EAST ST.

AVE 6 7 6 A 1"= 200' PARK SQUARE, PITTSFIELD, MASS. PARK SQUARE HISTORIC DISTRICT Pittsfield, Massachusetts Key to Map: 1. Berkshire County Savings Bank (1894-96), 24 North Street 2. Congregational Church (First Church of Christ) (1853), 27 East Street 3. Old Town Hall (1832), 43 East Street 4. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (1889), 67 Fast Street 5. D'Angelo-Bowlby Block (c. 1920), 77-95 Fast Street 6. Berkshire County Court House (1872), 76 East Street 6A. Berkshire County Court House Annex 7. Berkshire Athenaeum (1876), 44 Bank Row 8. Commercial block (before 1876), 4-32 Bank Row CE LREHATO PREEED Paul Guzzi Pecretary of the Commonrvealth 2 July 1975 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary Massachuselts Historical Commission 40 Beacon tree Boston, Massachusetts 02108 727-8470 Mr.

Charles Herrington, Chief Registration National Register of Historic Places National Park Service US Department of the Interior 18th and C Streets, NW Washington, DC 20240 19 JUL 8 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER Dear Charles: Enclosed please find one National Register nomination form and one set of supplementary photographs for the following properties: 1. Pittsfield, Park Square Historic District 2. Williamstown, Robinson House (current photographs for nomination sent to you 12/6/74) Please note that the Park Square District in Pittsfield is currently being threatened by a road widening which would take much of the lawn in from of the Court House. I would also appreciate your amending the Robinson House nomination form with the following name and address of the new owner: Mr. and Mrs. Lennon, Bulkley Street, Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267.

Both of the above 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. Sincere y yours, Pat Patricia L. Weslowski Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission PLW: jd Enclosures TH CHLACI BAN Paul Guzzi Secrelary of the Commonvealsh 22 July 1975 The Commonwvealch of Massachusetts Clfice of the Secretary Massachuselts Historical Commission 40 Beacon Sred Boston, Massachuselts 02108 727-8470 Mr. William Lebovich Review Unit National Register Office RECEIVED JUL 2 8 1975 Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation National Park Service US Department of the Interior NATIONAL FREGISTER 18th and C Streets, Nw Washington, DC 20240 Dear Mr.

Lebovich: In response to your request of July 16, I am sending the attached amendments, additions, and corrections to the National Register form for the Park Square Historic District in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. If there are any further ways in which I can assist in this form, please call. Sincerely, JudyD. Dobbo Judy Dobbs National Register Editor Massachusetts Historical Commission JDD/ja enclosure ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSEYES Date Entered 2 4 1975 Name Location Fize Station #4 Park Squaze Ilistoric Distriot New Bedford Bristol County Pittsfleld Berkehize County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Bon. Iüard W. Beooka Fon. Gerry E. Studds Hon. Silvio o. Conte Regional Directox, North Atlantic Region PR Mmott/row 7/25/75 State Ilistoria Preservation Officer irs. Elizabeth R.

Anadon Enecutiva Director lassachusetts Historical Connission 40 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetta 02108 INT: 2950-73 Advisory Council On Historic Preservation BERKSHIRk CO. ITCKS-NR MASSACHUCOES 1522 K Street NW. Washington D.C. 20005 JAN 3 1979 Honorable Paul E. Brindle III Mayor of Pittsfield City Hall Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 Dear Mayor Brindle: Thank you for your letter of December 4, 1978, requesting the comments of the Council pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470£ , as amended, 90 Stat. 1320) on the City of Pittsfield's application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for an Urban Development Action Grant.

The project as proposed will have an adverse effect of the North Street Commercial Block, a property that has been determined on the authority of the Secre- tary of the Interior to be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, and the Párk Square Historic District, a property included in the National Register of Historic Places. We initiated the consultation process on December 14, 1978, when Sharon Conway and John Cullinane of the Council staff participated in an on-site inspection of the project area with representatives of the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer, the City of Pittsfield, the Office of State Planning, the Pittsfield Historic Commission, and the Pyramid Companies. This inspection was conducted pursuant to Section 800.5(b) of our Procedures.

Following that review a meeting was held in Boston to discuss the project and its impact on cultural resources in the City of Pittsfield. At the meeting representatives of the Pyramid Companies discussed the requirements of major mall tenants for leasable floor space, adequate parking, visability, pedestrian access, and traffic circulation. Although the plans composite of the Pyramid Companies experience in developing of, Visability, pe dequiremente are a successful suburban malls, they did not appear to adequately address the special requirements of mall development in an urban setting. 2 The North Street Commercial Block forms a cohesive com- mercial and architectural unit that complements the Park Square Historic District and the commercial facades directly opposite them on North Street.

Historically and presently these buildings constitute a large portion of Pittsfield's central business district and should be retained. After review of the UDAG application it appears that the City of Pittsfield has demonstrated an economic need for the project, yet you have not fulfilled your responsibilities for environmental review as required under Section 570.456(c)(5) of the UDAG regula- tions and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Your application is premised on demolition of the North Street Commercial Block and does not explore alternative mall configurations that would incorporate the existing structures into a new design. The City of Pittsfield is requesting 30.5 to 32.5 million dollars in Federal money for parking, street improvements, and other mall related actions.

8.5 million dollars of this money will be used for acquisition of the North Street Commercial Block, relocation of its occupants and demolition of the buildings. The City could use that same money for low interest loans or grants to the owners for rehabilitation of their properties or you could rehabilitate the facades and purchase protective easements. Of the 53 busi- nesses that you propose to relocate, 24 are offices that could probably be accommodated in the existing block, were it to be rehabilitated. Many of the 60 to 80 small stores proposed for the mall could also be housed in the commercial block. The possi- bilities for reuse are numerous and should be pursued.

The Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer and the Massachusetts Office of State Planning have both expressed interest in assisting the City in its development of a satisfactory solution to the issues addressed in this letter and have directed their staff to work with you in attempting to formulate new plans that would retain buildings in the North Street Commercial Block. Our meeting of December 14 benefited greatly from the presence of architectural advisors, in attendance at the invitation of the State, who contributed to the discussion of alternative mall configurations that would retain the existing Commercial Block. At that same meeting the Pyramid Companies presented a new plan that retained two of the buildings in the North Street Commercial Block, demon- strating that alternative configurations can be developed.

3 The Council anticipates continued discussion between the State, the City of Pittsfield, and the developers concerning the formulation of plans that would retain the buildings in the North Street Commercial Block. We are confidant that the project can, with the cooperation of local, state, and Federal governments, accommodate the needs of a regional shopping facility while retaining the delicate balance of an urban environment. Should you have any questions concerning this.correspondence or require additional assistance, call Sharon Conway at 202-254-3967. Sincerely, Myra F. Harrison Assistant Director Office of Review and Compliance GPN NR Data Sheet DATE: Reviewer NR 3/14/79 INITIALS: DOE July 24, 19.75 NAMEAS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: Park Square Historic District OTHER NANES: Meeting House Common; City Hall Park LOCATION: STREET& NUMBER eec.; lut sep.

(Multiple) at Intersection of North, South, East, and West Streets CITY.

TOWN Pittsfield CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT Ist VICINITY OF STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Berkshirgode 003 OWNER OF PROPERTY: (Circle) PRIVATE SPATE LOCAL GOVIT MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME) : ADMINISTRATOR (underline) NPS REGION: (CIRCLE) N.ATLANTIC MULTIPLZ public/ private MID ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST MIDWEST SOUTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FEATURES: INTERIOR Substantially intact-1 - unknown - 4 - not applicable - 7 CONDITION - _EXCELLENT -GOOD -FAIR EXTERIOR ENVIRONS _Substantially intact-2 - Substantially intact-3 _ unknown.-S _unknown -6 - not applicable - 8 -Nct applicable-9 -Interior, exterior, environs not intact-0 _DETERIORATED _UNALTERED _RUINS ALTERED -UNEXPOSED -Reconstructed _Unexcavaten _ORIGINAL SITE _MOVED -Unknown _Excavated ACCESS- est ricted Yes-unrestricted No access Unknown historic district? YES NO WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT?

IF YES, NAME: NO WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? IF YES, NAME: YES NO ADAPTIVE USE: YES NO Saved? YES NO FUNCTION(S): (use vocabulary words) then- conmercial, edueatoual, governaent park, private neridena, neliciou now- Same with some vakiane SIGNIFICANCE: _ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC -ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE 3 _ARCHITECTURE LART COMMERCE -6 _COMMUNICATIONS Claims "first" -CONSERVATION _ECONOMICS EDUCATION _ENGINEERING _EXPLORATION _INVENTION YES NO _.LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _FELIGION - 22 -JW/Gov't/politics - SCIENCE -LITERATURE - _MILITARY 17 _MUSIC _PHHOSOPHY POLITICS/GOVERNMENT - 2/ .-entertainment _health SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _recreation _settlement _socio/cultural _TRANSPORTATION _urban & commun LOTHER (SPECIFYI - scepture planning "oldest? YES NO "only" YES NO ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: MIXED architect/m.bullder: Fvancis R.

Allen (Saungs Bongtneer: culpror: Laun hompso andseape/garden designer: Peabody+ Skorns (St.Skphanuchunh artist/artisan: nterior deeorator: 3Lowis Wrisbein (Couthoudguilder/confractor: Dodge+ Devanny Saannig ETHNIC GROUP:(+Hautweil, Richandson + NAMES: (label role & personal Johin Chandler Williams donated park Laud,1790. appropriate date) events Tirst nahonal Agnicurtural Fair (1810); Sik ol lafifatte Lafayette wilcome 1825 DATES: institutional 184--1941 C. DXTE OE CORSFICETON (specitte date or / contuem) /8 tu + (9ta centmne. DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) ,1810,1825 ... LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY SOURCE. (OF NOMINATION) PRIVATE STATE OTHER FEDERAL 'AGENCY: ACREAGE: (to nearest tenth of an acre) 9 STET COMMENTS: (include architectural information here) District cmntaining oval park aud Vuncundirg civic.

structurs; notabic indludl High Vicerian Gothic Berkshire Athenacum (1874); the Noith Traliau Mode Reuaissance Revival Berkobirz Countr, Court House (1872); aua tu Transikonad Zederal- guek Reviral Old Town Hau (1832)g Pittsfield's oldest remaining civic building. R*xyxxxxx*Xxx Park s'was site offfirst Wationel /gricultural fair, held i Aug. 181k0; district remains an impressive composition of monumental 19th C SIGNIFICANCE'(maximum two sentences) bu ngc*