Nomination for Fernald, George P., House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) DATA SHEET UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED DATE ENTERED APR 6 1976 APR 301976 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS NAME HISTORIC George P Fernald House AND/OR COMMON same 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 12 Rock Hill Street CITY. TOWN Medford STATE Massachusetts .

VICINITY OF CODE 025 NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7 COUNTY Middlesex CODE 017 3 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY DISTRICT X BUILDING(S) _STRUCTURE SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP PUBLIC X PRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION _IN PROCESS EBEING CONSIDERED STATUS X OCCUPIED -UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE - YES: RESTRICTED x YES: UNRESTRICTED _NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL -PARK _EDUCATIONAL X PRIVATE RESIDENCE _ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS _GOVERNMENT _SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION -MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Gregory and Maria Henderson STREET & NUMBER 12 Rock Hill Street CITY. TOWN STATE Medford VICINITY OF Massachusetts 02155 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC. Middlesex County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER 208 Cambridge Street CITY.

TOWN Cambridge STATE Massachusetts 02141 6 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1974 _FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTY LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY, TOWN Massachusetts Historical Commission Boston STATE Massachusetts 02108 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION &EXCELLENT GOOD -FAIR _DETERIORATED RUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE _UNALTERED ALTERED CHECK ONE X ORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE_ DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The George Fernald House (1894) occupies the entire top of Rock Hill in Medford on a lot of 27,000 square feet which has. ar dommanding view of the surrounding area. The George Fernald House is a Georgian Revival structure with an overall length (north to south) of 108 feet. The clapboard house is set on a rubble stone foundation. The main (east) facade is of five-part Palladian design - a central section, rectangular pavilions at each end, and connecting one-story sections. The central portion is two and one-half stories high and five bays wide. It is set on a high basement and capped by a hip roof. Extending out from the facade is a pedimented portico supported by four Ionic columns. The portico is set on a high basement covered by vertical boarding. The boarding outlines three low-rising arches with keystones. These are enclosed by lattice work, creating the effect of a blind arcade.

Set above the basement is a wooden floor from which the four columns rise to support an entabla- ture with modillioned cornice. Above this is the pediment, enclosed by vertical boarding and with mouldings identical to those of the cornice. The central entrance has an elaborate Federal period frame consisting of two fluted Ionic pilasters supporting an entablature whose cornice is decorated with a band of Greek fretwork. Above this is a broken pediment with modillioned cornice. A fanlight above the door extends upwards into the pedimented area and has a decorated keystone at its top. The windows on the first floor are nine-over-six double hung sash headed with wooden lintels and keystones. The second floor windows are six-over-six sash, except for the center window which is flanked by four-pane casement windows.

Two chimneys rise through the main block of the house - one on the mid-point of the north wall andi the other in line with the north chimney but set in the building, away from the south wall. Access to the portico and front entry is from a straight run of stairs on the porch's north end. The stairs rise parallel to the facade in two stages. Railings of square balusters, moulded rails and turned posts line the stairway and extend across the front of the portico. Originally two curved stairways gave access to both sides of the portico. Set back slightly from the main section on both sides are connectors to the end pavilions. Each is one story high with three arches of vertical boarding super imposed on the clap- board facade. Centered in each arch is one six-over-six window with a semi-circular head of horizontally matched boarding.

The center arch of the south connector has a blind window filled with clapboarding. Over the connectors are low pitched ridge roofs with their ridges parallel to the length of the facade. At the end of each connector is a rectangular pavilion of one and one-half stories cov- ered by a hip roof. The facade of each pavilion projects one foot further east (forward) than the connectors. Each pavilion has two six-over-six windows of greatef height than those of the connectors. Above each window is a "U" shaped panel of vertical board- ing with the stems of the "U" facing down. The southernmost pavilion window is surfaced with clapboarding. A chimney rises from the center of the end wall of each pavilion. continuad Form No. 10-300a (Kev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED APR 6 1976 NATIONAL, REGISTER OF HISTORICPLACES LATE ENTERED APR 30 1976 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 1 #7: The symmetry of the main facade masks an irregular floor plan which is more clearly visible from the building's west side. The west facade is covered in wooden shingles. The center entrance in the central block is set at ground level; it consists of a wooden door with six glass panes and is flanked by three-pane sidelights set over central block 1anket recessed wooden panels. A flat roof extends beyond the doorway and is set on square, undecorated wooden posts. Above the entry is an elongated Palladian window with four- pane sidelights flanking a multi-paned, half-round headed center window, the bottom six panes of which are sliding sash.

At the roof are two gable dormers with six-over- six sash windows. North of the entrance is a deep, five-sided bay with a flat roof. Each side of the bay has a six-over-six window set over a recessed wooden panel and surmounted by a six-pane transom, excepting the west wall, which has two such windows flanking a door of the same design and size as the windows. The door leads to a stone terrace covered by a wooden trellis. South of the entrance, the fenestration is irregular. Next to the door is a narrow two-over-one window and above it a four-pane window surmounted by a small three-pane window: -Next-to that is a one-story entrance porch and two six-over-six windows. The southernmost window of these two is on the wall of a one-story ell at the inter- section of the main block and south wing. To the north of the main block, the connector and pavilion are undecorated.

The connector and pavilion each have two six-over-six windows. The south connector and pavilion are partly obstructed from view by the projecting one-story ell and by an enclosed porch of slightly lower one-story height. The porch rests on a brick foundation and has five one-pane "Anderson" type windows. Originally a sun porch, it has two bubble skylights in its sloping roof. It has been enclosed within the last ten years. other than the enclosure of the porch, the only alterations to the house have been the removal of a balustrade over the west bay window and the removal of the curved staircases from the east portico.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD _PREHISTORIC _1400-1499 -1500-1599 -1600-1699 -1700-1799 X 1800-1899 - 1900- AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW LARCHEULUGY-PREHISTORIC_COMMUNITY PLANNINGX LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC _CONSERVATION -LAW AGRICULTURE ECONOMICS _LITERATURE XARCHITECTURE -EDUCATION _MILITARY ART -ENGINEERING _MUSIC _COMMERCE _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT......PHILOSOPHY -COMMUNICATIONS _INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT 1..-INVENTION.. BUILDER/ARCHITECT _RELIGION SCIENCE -SCULPTURE SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -THEATER -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1894 Architect: George Porter Fernald Builder

Statement of significance

: Lewis H. Lovering STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The George Fernald House is significant as Medford's most elaborate and grand statement of Georgian Revival architecture, and particularly because it makes use of both new and period materials. Due to its prominent location at the top of Rock Hill, the building has become a local landmark. In 1894 George Fernald and his brother Albert, both architects, purchased the land at the top of Rock Hill and built the house. Many of the details of the house were salvaged from a Providence, Rhode Island,Federal period house which was demolished in the 1890's. The front doorway and window lintels and possibly the Palladian window on the west facade were taken from the salvage. Interior fittings taken from the Providence house include several Federal mantelpieces, doors, mouldings, wainscotting and the main staircase.

In addition to his use of period materials, Fernald modelled parts of the house on direct Georgian/Federal precedent. The original dining room is one and one-half stories high with a plaster, barrel vaulted ceiling; its design is clearly based on that of the Ball Room at the "Count Rumford House". in North Woburn: The pedimented, two-story portico which was originally flanked by curved staircases resembles details of the White House in Washington, D.C. The western facade originally faced a series of formal gardens which had been laid out to take advantage of the hilly site. Old photographs show that the gardens' plan was heavily influenced by Fernald's lifelong interest in Sicily and its landscape. He pub- lished an article on "Sicilian Hill Gardens" in The Architectural Record in which the illustrations show Fernald's design sources.

Despite Fernald's training as an architect and his employment for over twehty-five years with the architectural firm of Little and Browne, few other buildings are known to have been designed by him. His home on Rock Hill survives in excellent condition; its cur- rent owners are committed to preserving the building with its details intact.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Avery Index to Architectural Periods Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, May 1973. Middlesex County Registry of Deeds Withey, Dictionary of American Architects, Deceased. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA c.

2/3 acre ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY UTM REFERENGES 3 330 AL,9 13/2,613,2,0 ZONE EASTING 14,619,814,4,0 NORTHING VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION LIlu EASTING LIILL NORTHING DLL 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 294 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN Boston Margo Webber, Editorial Assistant, and Brian Pfeiffer, Medford Historical Commission DATE March, 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 TITLE Executive Director, Mass. Cý chich luo chitk Red Amadon DATE 3/31/76 OR NPS USE ONLY 1HEREBY GERTIFY TH Aot1nB [ THIS PROPERTY LLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DATE 4/=0/26 DATE 4.30-76 KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 888-445 Property Fernald, George P. House State Massachusetts TECHNICAL Photos _ 2 Maps Middlesex Working Number 4.6.76.3022 Castirg incorsect I cont sheet CONTROL C 4.9.16 HISTORIAN Accept E.Smith 4-14-76 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN no identifextion sheets on penes ca mep ephstor (eutparaun httoude Accept 4/16/76 ok Celoreh ontstibermon ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER Intesety - weel researded.

HAER Inventory - Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Cole 4|20|16 BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER Hung 4.30 .76 National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 6-1->6 Send-back - Re-submit Entered _APR 30 1976 IN T:2106-74 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASONn 7 George Fernald House Medford, Massachusetts (middlesex County) Brian Pfeiffer, photographer November 1975 Medford Historical Commission, City Hall Medford, MA 02155 Looking southwest at east facade Photograph #1 of 2 APR 6 1976 Date ENtered APR 30,1974 -PROPERTY OF THE NAT!

George Fernald House Medford, Massachusetts (middlesex County) Brian Pfeiffer, photographer November 1975 Medford Historical Commission, City Hall Medford, MA 02155 Looking northwest at central section of East facade Photograph #2 Of 2 APR 6 1976 Date Entered APR 30,1976 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAI Regional Director, North Atlantic Region I:djb 5/4/76 PR ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE VASSACHUSETTS Date Entered APR 301976 Name Petrce; Peter, Store Beleher, Jonathan, Iouse Fernald, George 2+, Hou86 Albree-ilall-Lawrence, House Smich Alumae Cymzasium Putnan, General Isrecl, House Dil11ngham House Wellesley Iown Hall Location Midaleborough Plymouth County Randoiph Norfolk County Medford Middlesen County Medford Middlesen County Northampton Hampshire County Danvers Essex County Breveter vicinity Barnstable County Hellesley Norfolk County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon.

Edward W. Brooke Hon. Margaret M. Hecklex lon. Jaues A. Durte Eon. Torbert Il. Kachonald Hon. Silvio O. Conte Hon. Mehael J. Harzington Hon. Gerry E. Studds State Historic Preservation Officer Ize. Elizabech R. Amadon Executive Director, Massachssetts Historical Connission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 INT: 2950-75 NATIONAL REGISTER DATA ON/Fernald, Cevoe Houee Cuppears on federal register: ®OTHER NAMES: ) LOCATION street & numbe 12 Rock Hill St Medford ty / town vicinity of OWNEE PRIVATE CISTATECMUNICIPAL CCOUNTY OMULTIPLE OFEDERAL (agency name), cou Middle SADM EXISTING SUMNVEYS [HABS HAER JNHL(10)FUNDED? CYES 11)CONGRESS.

DISTRICT 12)SOURCE of NOMINATION BID DISTRIE HISTORIE LANOM PACREAGE 1 CONDITION Xexcellent Dgood Dfair - deteriorate Xaltered Oruins altered Ounexposed Ounexcavated aiystruc Dexcavatey 1ACCESS OYES-Restricted D YES -Unrestricted VXNo Access {I) AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : DARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 -COMMERCE-6 A AGRICULTURE -3 ARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS -7 - CONSERVATION - 8 *ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS- 9 -ART-5 - EDUCATION-10 CENGINEERING-11 -ENTERTAINMENT -26 -EXPLORATION -12 - HEALTH-27 - INDUSTRY- 13 - INVENTION - 14 Xoriginal site Omoved Ounknown -Unknown - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - LAW - 16 - LITERATURE-17 - MILITARY - 18 - MUSIC - 19 - PHILOSOPHY - 20 1features: XSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 9ONOT INTACT-O EOUNKNOWN-4 ZO NOT APPLICABLE-7 (19 ADAPTIVE USE DYES ZHIO SAVED?

YES - POLITICS / GOVT.- 21 -RECREATION -28 C RELIGION-22 - SETTLEMENT-29 - SCIENCE- 23 -URBAN PLANNING-31 - SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -24 D OTHER (SPECIFY) - SOCIAL / CULTURAL-30 - TRANSPORTATION - 25 ASUBSTANTI 9O NOT INTAO WOUNKNOWN WO NOT APPLI IS PROI 2CI *fir -old 'on 3funetions WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: residence CURRENTLY: detto arot toetural Pelode.

1lorglan 30Land cap architect/ garden designer: dates of initial constructipf major alterations: 1894 ©architeet: ( ,intorlor de George Porter Fernald artist: master builder: artisan: NAMES give role & date PERSONAL: EVENTS : INSTITUTIONAL: NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP Frame, clapboarding; 2stories over high basement, central block hipped roof sections, interior chimneys, front center entrance with fanlight wi frontispiece, s full-height pedimented tetrastyle portico, simple window architraves, 1-stony flanking hyphen in blind arcade; much interior decoration saluaged from Federal house demolshed ui Providence impressive example of georgian Revival; designed for his ownfnse by architect george Porte reviewers initials Geoff_date 1- 10- 18 IIF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSE