Nomination for Ashley, Col. John, House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SHOLNHNI Form 10-300 (Rev. 6-72) PHOOS 4743DATA SHEET UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ISTATE: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Massachusetts COUNTY: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Berkshire INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) FEB 1 p 1975 NAME COMMON: Co1.

John Ashley House AND/ OR HISTORIC: same LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: Cooper Hi1 Road W of Askley Falls on CoopertuOd: CITY OR TOWN: CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: STATE Sheffield Askly Falls wec 1st Massachusetts CODE COUNTY: 025 Berkshire CODE 003 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) OWNERSHIP STATUS District Site Building Structure 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 Agricultural Commercial Educational Entertainment (Check One or More as Appropriate) Government( Industrial Military Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific RECEIVI - Transporfasion - ghori (SPECUM) - Comments OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: The Trustees of Reservations STREET AND NUMBER: 224 Adams Street CITY OR TOWN: Milton LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Southern Berkshire Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: 334 Main Street CITY OR TOWN: Great Barrington NATION REGISTER STATE: Massachusetts 02186 CODE 025 STATE Massachusetts CODE 025 Massachusetts Berkshire REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of Historic Aseets of the Commonwealth DATE OF SURVEY: 1973 State DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: STATE: County Local 1 0 1975 CODE Boston Massachusetts 025- STATE COUNTY: ENTRY NUMBER DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY 7.

DESCRIPTION (Check One) - Deteriorated * Excellent CONDITION - Good ..DFair (Check One) X Altered - Unaltered DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) APPEARANCE

Description of the property

[X Moved - Unexposed (Check One) - Original Site The Col.John Ashley House, built in 1735, faces west on 4.9 acres of farmland in a rural area of Sheffield. When the house was built, Town Street was the major road in Sheffield. In 1803 Town Street was bypassed by a larger road and the Ashley House found itself situated on a back way. In 1930 the house was moved 3/10 of a mile on the same property to avoid a chaotic clutter of outbuildings which had grown up around it. The move was carefully supervised and the house was placed facing the same direction in its new location. Only the center chimney and the 2½ story rear ell (1745) were replaced (with exact replicas). With the exception of the two restorations cited above, the house is nearly identical to its original 1735 appearance. It is a 2½ story center chimney structure, two rooms deep and two wide.

A 2½ story ridge roof ell projects from the rear center of the house. Both ell and main house are clapboarded; the latter is believed to show its original siding. Windows are 6/6 sash with simple moulded lintels and plain surrounds. The center entrance retains its original 6-panel door and hardware. Its high style pedimented doorway has a wide entablature with broken moulding and fluted Doric pilasters. The interior remains intact. Its most notable feature is the 2nd floor study. This room is elaborately panelled with a boxed and coffered crossbeam, wide cornice frieze and broken moulding, concave shell-carved cupboard, and stop-fluted pilasters. RECEIVED DEC 11 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER KTTS Tô 25 - NSTRUCTIONS

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) - Pre-Columbian! 15th Century 16th Century 17th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1735 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education L Prehistoric Engineering L Historic Industry Agriculture Invention Architecture Landscape Art Architecture Commerce Literature Communications Conservation Military Music STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

18th Century 19th Century - 20th Century [A Political Religion/Phi- losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation Urban Planning Other (Specify) LJ This 1735 structure is significant as the home of Col.John Ashley and as a we1l-preserved example of a high-style mid-18th c. Connecticut River Valley house. Born in Westfield,Mass. in 1709, John Ashley played a very important role in the development of both Sheffield and Massachusetts. In Sheffield, Ashley served in various capacities as surveyor, merchant, lawyer, judge, mill and marble quarry owner, and builder or the first iron works in Berkshire County. Ashley was also a member of the General Court of Massachusetts. During the French and Indian War (1754-1763) Ashley served as Colonel of the South Berkshire Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia.

In 1754, Ashley rode to the aelief of Stockbridge and Pittsfield and later, in 1757, to the aid of Fort William Henry. By 1776, he was unfit for campaigning, but he served on the Committee of Correspondence and used his resources to convert the Great Oare Bed in Salisbury to the manufacture of cannon. The Col.John Ashley House contains woodwork in the entrance door and study- which was the product of sophisticated master craftsmen. The house also con- tains siding, floorboards, and panelling which were among the first sawed out by the first water-powered sawmill in Berkshire County. The saw had been drawn by oxen 40 miles from Westfield, home of Col.Ashley's father. RECEIVED DEC 11 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER To

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 1. Field and Dewey, Rev., History of the County of Berkshire,Pittsfield, 1829. 2. History of Berkshire County,Mass., Piisfield,1885. 3. Trowbridge, F.B., "Ashley Geneology, unpub.,1896. 4. Taylor,C.J., History of Great Barrington, Great Barrington, 1928. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES LATITUDE AND LONGIT'JDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY DEFINING THE LENTER POINI OF A PHOPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES CORNER LATITUDE LONGITUDE LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NW Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds UIM ° Z19 NE SE E.

06, 36,000 N 46,57,460 SW APPROXIMA TE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: 4,9 acres ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE RECEIVED STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE DEC 11 1974 STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: NATIONAL REGISTER CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: Mindy Arbo,N.R.Editor for Elizabeth R.Amadon, Exec.Director ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: DATE 11/12/74 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: Boston 617-727-8470 T2.

STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION STATE Massachusetts CODE 025 02108 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 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 level of significance of this nomination is: Local* I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa 1 Register. ARmorleues Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Name Elejeletk R. Amacon Elizabeth R.Amadon Date 2/10/75 ATTEST: Title Exec.Dir. MHC; SHPO designee Date Date Keeper o The National Rigister 2-6-75 * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1973 /1442 3-1 OK M NSTRUCTIONS properey Ashlegy Cal.

John, Hause state Mass, Working Number 12.11.74.2/33 TECHNICAL Photos 3 Maps 75001915 CONTROL Okay pl 13:12:74 HISTORIAN sig. in ed. not justified, tut otherunse ok - ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN Thoman 12/20/24 ARCHEOLOGIST icLeo 18 Dec74 - house with ooplsteateal is au incorsect restoration. woadu if ito funtany evidence to the coutiary tto refate the nominetion). OTHER Accept LEBOVKA 12-24-74 HAER Inventory Review REVIEW UNITCHIEF Hcczp cole 1114/75 BRANCH CHIEF Jeny /-B125 KEEPER 26/75 National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 4-475 Send-back Re-submit Entered 4-1->5 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 FEB 1 O 1975 INT: 2106 - 74 ,0loK Extry #6 Asbley Hore sitchen or kuping room and fireplace. Into this open twoo downstains parlorr, the butting, the borning rom, and the back sheds (mor the "period ell").

(See te =ORM 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 NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) same FEB 1 O 1975 TOWN COUNTY Berkshire Sheffield 1. NAME COMMON Col.John Ashley House 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER Cooper Hill Road 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Trustees of Reservations 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Interior- kitchen DATE 1973 NEGATIVE FILED AT same, 224 Adams St.,Milton, Mass- RECEIVED DEC 11 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER #103 GPO 932-009 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER #/00 FORM 10-301 A (6/72) Ext 1. NAME coMMON Col.John Ashley House 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER Cooper Hill Road 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Trustees of Reservations 4.

IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Interior- upstairs study 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 same COUNTY Berkshire NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) FEB 1 0 1975 TOWN Sheffield DATE 1973 NEGATIVE FILED AT 1 same, 224 Adams St,Milton,Mass. RECEIVED DEC 1/ 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER -8 #203 GPO 932-009 PROPERTY OF THF NATIONAL REGISTER #233 Entry 1. Col. Ashley Home- summer +960 1974 FORM 10-301 A (6/72) NAME COMMON Col.John Ashley House 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER Cooper Hill Road 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Trustees of Reservations 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

West facade 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 same COUNTY TOWN Sheffield Berkshire NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) FEB 1 O 1975 DATE 1973 INEGATIVE FILED AT same, 224 Adams St.,Milton, Mass. RECEIVED DEC 11 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER #3 3 GPO 932-009 PROPERTY OF THE NATONAL REGISTER #353 Form No. 10-301 Rev.

7-72 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) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Middlesex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER FEB 1 O 1975 DATE NAME COMMON: Col.John Ashley House AND/OR HISTORIC: same LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: Cooper Hill Road CITY OR TOWN: Sheffield STATE: Massachusetts MAR REFERENCE SOURCE: USGS Ashley Falls,Mass. SCALE: 1:24,000 DATE: 1958 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference. CODE 025 COUNTY: Berkshire CODE 003 RECEIVED: DEC111974 NATIONAL REGISTER INT: 155-72 VA LIBERTATEY John F. X.

Davoren Secretary of the Commonroealth The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Pecretary Massachusetts Historical Commission 10 Boston, Massachuselts 02108 787,8470 December 6,1974 RECEIVED DEC : 1974 NATIONAL GISTER RED FLAG National Register National Park Service 18th and C Streets NW Washington D.C. 20240 Attention: Charles Herrington, Chief of Register 096892 CERTIFIED MAIL Dear Charles: Enclosed are three National Register submissions for the following properties: 1. Sheffield, Col.John Ashley House, Berkshire County 2. Williamstown, Robinson House, Berkshire County 3. Framingham, Framingham Railroad Station, Middlesex County These have been declared eligible for submission by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the State Review Board, and have been signed by Elizabeth R.Amadon as State Historic Preservation Officer designee.

Please let us know if any other information is needed. Sinderely, liabeck l. Amadon Elizabeth R.Amadon - Betly Executive Director Massachuetts Historical Commission * NODE: The above buildings witl be applying for Eunds in FY76. Thus we would appreciate early consideration of these buildings. ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered FEB 1 0 1975 Name Location Ashley, Col. John, Rouse Sheffleld Berkshire County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Ron. Bdvard W. Brooke Bon. Silvio 0. Conte Regional Director, North-Atlantic Region State Itatorie Preservation 0fficer Mrs. Elizabeth R. Amadon Messachusetts Hiatorieal Connission 40 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusette 02108 PR MMott/bsh 2/11/75 NR Data Sheet DATE: 3|17/77 Reviewer INTTTALS: geojo DOE Feb. 10, 1975 V (2-10-75) V NAMEAS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: Ashley, Col.

John, House OTHER NANES: LOCATION: STREET & NUMBER CITY. TOWN Gooper Hfll Road, W of Ashley, Falls on Cooper. Hill Rd. CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT 1st STATE Sheffield Massachusetts VICINITY OF Ashley Fals vieinity COUNTY Bershire 003. V OWNER OF PROPERTY: (Circle) PRIVATE -STATE LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER Go FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME) : ADMINISTRATOR(underline) NPS REGION: (CIRCLE)(N.ATLANTIC) MID ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST MIDWEST SOUTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FEATURES: INTERIOR Lsubstantially intact-1 - unknown - 4 - not applicable - 7 CONDITION - EXCELLENT -GOOD -FAIR EXPERIOR ENVIRONS Lsubstantially intact-2 Substantially intact-3 - unknown.-5 _.

unknown -6 - not applicable - 8 Not applicable-9 -Interioz, exterior, cnvirons not intact-0 _DETERIORATED _UNALTERED _RUINS LALTERED _UNEXPOSED _Unexcavater -Reconstructed _ORIGINALSITE LMOVED -Unknown -Excavated ACCESS - Yes-restricted historic distriet? Yes-unrestricted No access Unknown YES WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT? IF YES, NAME: YES WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? IF YES, NAME: YES ADAPTIVE USE: YES NO Saved ?

YES NO FUNCTION (S): (use vocabulary words) then- private rericlene now museum SIGNIFICANCE: ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC _AGRICULTURE 4-EAACHTECTURE ART 6-COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS Claims "first" YES _CONSERVATION _ECONOMICS LEOUCATION ENGINEERING _EXPLORATION _INDUSTRY _JINVENTION _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _RELIGION _LAW/Gov't/politics __SCIENCE -LITERATURE -18-EMILITARY _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _MUSIC _PHILOSOPHT 2-SOLITICS/GOVERNMENT _TRANSPORTATION -_OTHER (SPECIFY) NO "'oldest'? YES NO --entertainment _health _recreation -settlement _socio/cultural _urban & commun planning "ronly" YES NO ARCHITECTURAL STYLBE COLONIAL JRANSITONAL I/EARLY GEORGIAN architect/m.builder: landscape/garden designer: interior decorator: engineer: artist/artisan: builder/contractor: ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (label role personal(1) JoMN AsHLEy- oRigual ouner, French8 INdian War & appropriate date) owxer.

colonel, merchant, lauyer, judge, mill and marble quarey events institutional DATES: DAFE OE CONSTRUCTTON (specifie date of 1/4 of century): /135. DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: 1145-rar Ml 1930- moved HISTORICALY STONIEZCANE DATE(S): / 209, (45 4=40 75463 SOURCE. (OF NOMINATION) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER FEDERAL 'AGENCY : ACREAGBE : co nasroct cents o an cegyf, 9 - (propert, nmunation enlanged (reflel) VCOM MENTS: (include architectural information here) FRAMZ, CLAPBOGRDINE; 2%2 STORIES, +-SHAPE edrineutedl LGABLED ROOF, CENTRALCHIMNEY, CENTER PANELED ENTRANCE WITH, FRONTISPIECE; REFINED INTERIOR PANELING; 2/2STORY REAK WING AND ZENTER CHIMNEY REBUILT, 1930; RESTORED; MOVED. TRANSITIONAL COLON- leader dur ina IAL TO EARLY GEORGIAN. BUILT FOR COL. JOHN ASHLEY,/FRENCH ANDINDIAN and WaR, VEADERL, MRCHANT, LAWYER, JUDGE, MILL AND MARBLK QWARRY OWNER.

SIGNIFICANCE:(maximum two sentences) Museumo