Nomination for Burt, Elijah, House

The case file that argued this property on to the National Register: 2,216 words across 12 pages, filed in 1976. Reproduced in full, word for word.

Source document Held by the National Archives in Record Group 79 as reference 76000240, where it exists only as a scan with no text layer. The words below were read off that scan by machine, so the occasional stray character is the recogniser's and the typewriter's. Nothing is summarised, corrected or written by this site. See the catalogue record, or return to the property.

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 DATA SHEET FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED MAR 2 S 1976 DATE ENTERED APR 2.6 1976 2 3 4 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS NAME HISTORIC Elijah Burt, House AND/OR COMMON Thomas Bergamini House LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 201 Chestnut Street CITY.
TOWN East Longmeadow STATE - VICINITY OF CODE 025 .NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Second COUNTY Hampden CODE 013 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY DISTRICT X_BUILDING(S) STRUCTURE SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP _PUBLIC XPRIVATE - BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION IN PROCESS -BEING CONSIDERED STATUS X OCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE -YES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED XNO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE -MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL _PARK _EDUCATIONAL XPRIVATE RESIDENCE _ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS -GOVERNMENT _SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME STREET & NUMBER Thomas and Gina Bergamini 201 Chestnut Street CITY. TOWN STATE East Longmeadow VICINITY OF Massachusetts 01028 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC.
Hampden County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER 55 Elm Street CITY, TOWN STATE Springfield REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS Massachusetts 01103 TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1973 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS Massachusetts Historical Commission _FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTY LOCAL CITY. TOWN 294 Washington Street, Boston STATE Massachusetts 02108 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION X EXCELLENT _GOOD _FAIR DETERIORATED _RUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE _UNALTERED XALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE -MOVED DATE. DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Elijah Burt House, considered to be the oldest structure in East Longmeadow, is located on Chestnut Street about one mile from the town center. The house stands on 2.3 acres of land and contrasts sharply with its twentieth century neighbors on the street. The two-story clapboard structure has a ridge roof with a central chimney serving four fireplaces. Iypical of the period, the house faces south, utilizing the sun's posi- tion year-round. The facade is five bays wide and windows have twelve-over-twelve lights. The second-story windows are placed close under the eaves and those on the first story (and second story on the side elevations) are topped with pediments. The central entrance is flanked by pilasters on which rest an entablature and pediment. The paneled door has three bull's-eye lights.
The partial cellar in the house has a dirt floor and walls of fieldstone set with lime mortar. In the southwest portion of the cellar the fieldstone walls have been faced with bricks set in lime mortar. The house appears to have been of the three-room plan, with two "halls" on either side of the central chimney and a kitzhen to the rear. Today the wall between the east hall and kitchen has been removed and the installation of a number of modern conven- iences has somewhat altered the interior. In the nineteenth century the original ell of the house was moved to the nearby cor- ner of Chestnut and Prospect Streets. The present rear ell was built sometime before 1900. The roof rafters in this ell section are unmilled logs in their original con- dition as are the floor joists.
The Elijah Burt House has undergone several changes, the most major of which was a Victorianization which occurred in the late nineteenth century. The house was painted white and dark shutters added to the windows which had two-over-two sash. In addition a front porch with brackets and turned posts was put on and the central doorway changed to a dark paneled door with a large single arched light on the upper half. In 1946 the owners of the house began restoration efforts by uncovering early fireplaces and wainscoting, removing the front porch, and replacing the front door with a paneled one with bull's-eye lights. During this period the house was painted red. The present owners, who purchased the house in 1969, have continued the restoration and improvements. The house is currently painted a light gold color and has white trim.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES East Longmeadow, 50 Years a Town. 1944. East Longmeadow, 75 Years a Town. 1969. Martin, Judith. "The Underground Railroad." 1973. Springfield Union. July 31, 1953 and August 8, 1953. Conversations with Jessie Powers and Marion Busha (10/8/75) and Joan Birnie (10/9/75) 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY UTM REFERENCES D 5 AL1,8] ZONE 7/0,616,4,0 EASTING 2.3 acres 14,615,815,7,0 NORTHING VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION BLuJ ZONE EduLil,Lu EASTING NORTHING Lili LILHL 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 Jeanne P. Goodlatte, East Longmeadow His- Judy D.
Dobbs, National Register Editor, and torical Commission and Thomas and Gina Bergamini Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER 294 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN Boston March 11, 1976 TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 STATE 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 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 Elichuth Rees Amasem Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Conmission FOR NPS USE ONLY Mar.
15,1976 U HEREBY CERTIPY THAR THIS PROPPRE NCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Aotingl DATE DIRECTOR, QF CE OF ARCHEOLOGY NOHIS TORIC PRESERVATION ATTEST: DATE 4/26/91 423.26 KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 892.453 Property State Mass TECHNICAL Photos _ Maps : 76000240 Elijah Burt House Hampden Working Number 3.25.76.2857 Castirg incarrect Laketch CONTROL 3.31.16 HISTORIAN Accept E. smith 3-31-76 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN Khech owner aided the underground? Accept Should that be moe specife? Vavedook 6 april 76 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory - Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Accro Cole 4|a1|16 BRANCH CHIEF National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 6-1-76 Send-back Re-submit Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 KEEPER auept 4.28 APR 2 6 1976 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 MAR 2 5 1976 APR 2 6 1976 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES ENCLOSE WITH PHOTOGRAPH Ho 1 Elysh Burt house, 201 ClesTru./ St. Erst Loqsusadose Juass NAME HISTORIC Elijah Burt House AND/OR COMMON Thomas Bergamini House LOCATION CITY. TOWN East Longmeadow _VICINITY OF COUNTY Hampden PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT DATE OF PHOTO 1973 Robert Heald NEGATIVE FILED AT Holly Hill Photos, 167 Pleasant Street, East Longmeadow, MA IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC. IF DISTRICT, GIVE BUILDING NAME & STREET Looking northwest at facade. STATE MA 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 MAR 2 S 1976 DATE ENTERED APR 2 6 1976 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP 1 2 3 4 NAME HISTORIC Elijah Burt House AND/OR COMMON Thomas Bergamini House LOCATION CITY.TOWN East Longmeadow -VICINITYOF MAP REFERENCE SOURCE USGS, Springfield South Quadrangle SCALE 1:24000 DATE REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES COUNTY Hampden STATE MA 1958 (photorevised 1970) INT: 34 64 - 75 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 MAR 2 5 1976 APR 2 6 19/6 IDATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP 1 2 3 NAME HISTORIC Elijah Burt House AND/OR COMMON Thomas Bergamini House LOCATION CITY. TOWN East Longmeadow MAP REFERENCE SOURCE Sketch plan SCALE not to scale REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES -VICINITY OF COUNTY Hampden STATE MA DATE 1975 INT: 34 64- 75 BAN PAUL GUZZI Secrotary of the Commonwealth The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary Massachuselts Historical Commission 294 Washinglon Sreet Boston, Massachuselts 02108 (617)727-8470 March 18, 1976 Mr.
Charles Herrington Chief, Registration National Register National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Charles: Enclosed please find four nomination forms for the following properties: 1. Charlton, John Spurr House 2. East Iongmeadow, Elijah Burt House 3. Iexington, Sanderson House and Munroe Tavern 4. Springfield, Maple-Union Corners These properties have been voted eligible for submission by the Massachu- setts Historical Commission (State Review Board) and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer, Elizabeth Reed Amadon. Sincerely yours, Put Patricia I.
Weslowski Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission PLW/mw Enclosures ALRIL19II1O RECEIVED MAR 25 1976 NATIONAL REGISTER ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE HASSA USETTS Date Entered APR 2 6 1976 Name Beauport Maple-Union Corners Sanderson House and Munroe Tavern Spuzz, John House MeKnight Distriet Burt, Elijah House Location Gloucester Vieinity Easex County Springfield Hampden County Lexington Middleses County Chariton Woreester County Springfield Hampen County Bast Longmneadow Hampden County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W. Brooke Hon. Michael J. Harrington Hon. Edvard P. Boland Hon. Paul Tsongas Regional Director, North Atlantie Region VPR:M Mott:coc 4/29/76 State Historie Preservation Officer Mes. B1izabeth R.
Anadon Executive Direetor Massachusetts Historical Couniasion 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetta 02108 INT: 2950-75 PUBLICATION DATA SHEET State: County/indep. city City/vicinity PRIMARY TITLE (Secondary Title) Address/location Statement of signif- icance including cons- truction date, altera- tion date, present use, and style. IA I06 I07 I08 109 I10 MASSACHUSETTS hampden county East Longmeadow BURT, ELIJAH, HOUSE (Bergamini, Thomas, House; Burt, Aaron, Vineyard) 201 Chestnut St. 1720 colonial house built for Elijah Burt; altered c. 1850 - 1900, 1946, 1969; present use, private residence. Statement of signif- icance including im- portant peoples names; include key words for search of events and areas of significance.
Other surveys, include number of habs or haer drawings Ownership/agency Date of entry Areas of Significance (circle those which apply to property) I11 One of town's oldest houses and town's only known Underground Railroad stop. #C #I I12 I13 Private; not accessible to the public. (4-26-76) 1. historic archeology 2. prehistoric archeology 3. agriculture 4. architecture 5. art 6. commerce 7. communication 8. conservation 9. economics 10. education 11. engineering 12. exploration 13. industry 14. invention 15. landscape architecture 16. law 17. literature 18. military 19. music 20. philosophy 21 24 politics/government 22. religion 23. science social/humanitarian 25. transportation 26. entertainmen 27. health 28. recreation 29. settlement 30. social/cultura 31.
urban and conmunity planning Indexing Items O CE d CE OCE Q CE - CE - CE CE CE Burt, Elijah DCF Bergamini, Thomas, ACF Burt, Aaron DCF Burt, Elijah, House, MA: a CF Dergamini, Thomas, House, MA: dCF Burt, Aaron, Vineyard, mA: acF NR Data Sheet XX ENT'o DATE: Reviewer 4/21/16. INITIALS: KHC NR DOE 4-26-76 NAME AS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: OTHER NAMES: Burt, Elijah, House Tho mas (Bergaminig)Htouse, Aaron Burt's Vineyard Se. LOCATION: STREET& NUMBER 201 ChesTnut st. CIY.
TOWN East Longmead on VICINITY OF STATE mass CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT list sep: COUNTY Hampden code 013 OWNER OF PROPERTY: (Circle) (PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL COUNTY 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-1 _ unknown - 4 - not applicable - 7 CONDITION - -EXCELLENT _GOOD -FAIR EXTERIOR ENVIRONS _Substantially intact-2 - Substantially intact-3 -unknown.-5 _. unknown -6 _ not applicable - 8 _Not applicable-9 -Interior, exterior, environs not intact-o _DETERIORATED -UNALTERED -RUINS -ALTERED -UNEXPOSED -Reconstructed _Unexcavated ORIGINALSITE _MOVED _Unknown -Excavated ACCESS - Yes-restricted historic district? Yes-unrestricted 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- residence hidingplace-Kc now- residence SIGNIFICANCE: -ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC -ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC -AGRICULTURE ARCHITECTURE -ART -COMMERCE -COMMUNICATIONS Claims "first" YES -CONSERVATION ECONOMICS -EDUCATION LENGINEERING -EXPLORATION -INDUSTRY _INVENTION NO _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _LAW/Gov't/politics _LITERATURE _MILITARY 2 MUSIC -PHILOSOPHY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT "' oldest< NO -RELIGION -SCIENCE _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) -entertainment _health _recreation -settlement - socio/cultural _urban & commun planning "only" YES NO ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Colonial architect/m.builder: landscape/garden designer: interior decorator: engineer: artist/artisan: builder/contractor: ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (1abel role appropriate date) personal Elijah Burt -Gtifi owner 1720 events institutional DATES: DATE OF CONSTRUCTION (Specific date or 1/4 of century) : 1720 DATE(S) OF "HAJOR" ALTBRAZTONS: A1850-B1900, 1946,1969 HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S): 1720 SOURCE.
(OF NOMINATION) OTHER FEDERAL 'AGENCY: ACREAGE: (to nearest tenth of an acre) 2.3 PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY FRAME, CLAPBOARDINE; Z'/RSTORIEL, RECTANGULAR, COMMENTS: (inelude architectural informatton here) EABLED ROOF SECTIONS, CENTRAL CHIMNEY, FRONT CENTER PANELED ENTRANCE WITH FRONTS- PIECE, PEDIMENTED WINDOW ARCHITRAVES; PARTIAL CELLAR; ELL ADDED, C. 1900; RESTORED, 1146. GEORGIAN. ONE OF OLDEST HOUSES IN TOWN; SERUED AS STAGECOACH INN AND REPUTED STATON FOR UNDERBROUND RAILROTD. SIGNIFICANE Eiemaxinun tro sontences) The Elijah Bur. House is significant as one of the oldest pouses in hasi tougmeadow and as the only knewa stop on the underground raitroad in the town,