Nomination for Old Covered Bridge

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 PH0666335 FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED APR 3 DATE ENTERED 1978 NOV 24 1978 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME HISTORIC Old Covered Bridge AND/OR COMMON same LOCATION STREET & NUMBER Covered Bridge Lane CITY, TOWN Sheffield STATE - VICINITY OF CODE 3 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION 025 _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 1st COUNTY Berkshire CODE 003 CATEGORY -DISTRICT _BUILDING(S) XSTRUCTURE SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP X PUBLIC _PRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION _IN PROCESS BEING CONSIDERED STATUS X OCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED - WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE - YES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED -NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE XMUSEUM _COMMERCIAL _PARK _EDUCATIONAL PRIVATE RESIDENCE _ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS -GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION _MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Town of Sheffield, Board of Selectmen STREET & NUMBER Town Hall CITY.

TOWN STATE Massachusetts Sheffield - VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC. Sheffield Town Records STREET & NUMBER Town Hall CITY. TOWN STATE Sheffield REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Historic American Engineering Record Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1973 1976 DEPOSITORY FOR Library of Congress SURVEY RECORDS Massachusetts Historical Commission CITY. TOWN Washington Boston Massachusetts XFEDERAL XSTATE COUNTYLOCAL STATE D.C. Massachusetts 01257 7-DESCRIPTION CONDITION _EXCELLENT _GOOD X FAIR _DETERIORATED LRUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE XUNALTERED ALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE MOVED DATE DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Old Covered Bridge of Sheffield spans the Housatonic River in the Plains region of Sheffield. The surrounding area is predominantly rural; the immediate area is the flood plain of the river. The bridge, in 19th century fashion, is angled and runs southwest to northeast across the river. It is approached on either side by Covered Bridge Lane which runs approximately east to west. The easterly approach is from Boardman Street and is twenty-six hundred feet long. The six hundred foot long westerly approach begins at Main Street (U.S. 7). The bridge is ninety-three feet long with an outside width of fifteen feet, eleven inches. The interior width is eleven feet, eleven inches. The bridge has a shallow slope ridge roof with gables facing east and west. The most arresting feature of the bridge is its structure. The bridge employs Town lattice trusses with secondary chords.

Top and bottom chords are six inches by fourteen inches with four one and three-quarter inch trunnels to stabilize the lattice ends. Lattice members are three inches by ten inches and the secondary chords are six inches by ten inches. Timbers are principally hemlock; trunnels are oak, and the flooring is oak and elm. Exterior sheathingis vertical board with board and batten on the gable ends. There are single window openings near the apex. of each gable. The roof is covered with asphalt shingles. Bollard-like posts have been placed at the entrance to discourage vehicular traffic. The bridge sits on granite piers that have been seriously undermined by periodic flooding.

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 LARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC - COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC _CONSERVATION _LAW AGRICULTURE -ECONOMICS _LITERATURE ARCHITECTURE _EDUCATION _MILITARY ART X ENGINEERING _MUSIC _COMMERCE -EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY _COMMUNICATIONS _INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT INVENTION _RELIGION -SCIENCE _SCULPTURE SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -THEATER -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1837-38 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Ithiel Town The Old Covered Bridge of Sheffield is significant as the oldest extant covered bridge in Massachusetts and as one of the earliest examples of a Town Lattice Truss bridge. Ithiel Town, New Haven architect, received his first patent for his lattice truss bridge design in 1820. The principal feature of the design was its ability to span great distances with its relatively simple engineering. In 1835 he modified his design with the addition of secondary chords for greater stability. This bridge was built between April 13, 1837 when Sheffield Selectmen advertised for its construction and April 2, 1938 when the bridge was accepted at town meeting. The bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic since 1970.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Alken; Richard S., Covered Bridges of the Northeast, 1957. walker; C. Ernest, Covered Bridge Ramblings in New England , 1959. Preiss; Lillian, Sheffield, Frontier Town, 1976. Records of the Town of Sheffield 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY UTM REFERENCES AL118/ 16/316/01010 ZONE EASTING CLL VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION 19 [41 6/ 61 4/61 4 0 NORTHING ZONE EASTING LILu NORTHING LLILLL 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 Joseph R. Orfant, National Register Editor & Massachusetts Historical Commission Willard C. French, Sheffield Historical Comm. Arthur C.

Chase, Board of Selectmen DATE 28 February 1978 STREET & NUMBER 294 Washinator Street TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 CITY OR TOWN Boston STATE Massachusetts 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), 1 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. Deputy Acting STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE Executive Director, Massachuset : 3/23/18 DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INGQUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DATE ATTEST: CEeHOH.

OPOE AHCHEOCOO KEEPER OF THE NAHONAL-REGISTER ANVOHIS FORICIDRE ERVATION DATE 4/s4/38 Nov 20,1218 GPO 892-453 propere Oed Covered Bredge Mass. Working Number 4.3.28.2845 TECHNICAS Uegpatte? Photos - Maps Vey buef lut adequate as aldest coveed - - sigpificanl + ealy spanpla Yeanden ly bridge Nomated NO ALREAGE; NO V.B.P. ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL 6.78 HISTORIAN shey 10-18-28 accept HISTORIAN CALL(ALLEPT 6/1/70 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER structul is the oldest bnown covered HAER engge, in masss, - itpossessex InventoryX lalewrdl siemuicaneo in lermsof Review engeneering. 5/29/78 accept Enaldc, fachson REVIEW UNIT CHIEF see above 11/20/28 BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER mea 11/2458 NOV 2 4 1978 INT:2 74 National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 2-6-79 Send-back Re-submit Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No.

7 Old Covered Bridge Sheffield, MA. 1977 Alice C. Hurlburt Sheffield Historical Society Sheffield, MA. NOV 2 4 1978 Photo #1 Iooking east towards the bridgipR 3 1978 Sheffield Old Covened Br and Approachu FRONT FACAD AND ENVIR old Covered Bridge Sheffield, MA. 1977 Alice C. Hurlburt Sheffield Historical Society Sheffield, MA. APR Photo #2 Detail, interior showing lattice NOV PLEA Ph ALICE O1d covered Bridge Sheffield, MA. 1977 - Alice C Hurlburt Sheffield Historical Society Sheffield, MA. APR Photo #3 Looking north towards the southe PLEAS Pho ALICE TONS ITED o1d Covered Bridge sheffield, MA. 1977 Alice C. Hurlburt Sheffield Historical Society Sheffield, MA. APR 3 Photo #4 Looking west towards the east eleva NOV 2 SCIL old Covered Bridge Sheffield, MA. 1977 Alice C. Hurlburt Sheffield Historical Society Sheffield, MA. APR Photo #5 Looking south towards the north NC PLEL ALIC WN CF.

SHEFFIELD No- 32 SHEET Rist 5Eyueie COVEREO 6001151 AreKgiN 4.9= AC 6T7A7 22:2151 18S 2(SI 21S 23 24 22 233 21 ü2zs 323.93 27492 20 26AC 19 13 1961* 8C9.1 15 205I 23% 336.35 13 140° :59 BERKSHIRE C UNTY, MASS Bsneee - BRIDGE 0.0202151 ROAO 4215 33 MEyEKS= Brussug4stco MOUSATONIC 12 H1:AC 16 231 AC 115.003 17 19 :NC 20 19 : AC 21 6 t.° SHEET 23 N.Y. January 1970 Gerahic Mpp to Neubung N. 4.: 1/200. NOV 2 4 1978 51/10 RECEIVED OCT 1 8 1978 NATIONAL REGISTER To - TELEPHONE REPORT OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT: od Caueed Budeze To/FROM: Candice genkuir ADDRESS: DATE: 9-13-18 Reached her 9-19-18 PHONE: STAFF MEMBER: shaey DIVISION: REPORT: under laae - mill serd VBD PAUL GUZZI Secretary of the Commonuralth The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary Massachusells Historical Commission 291 Mashinglon Itreel Boston, Massachusetls 02108 (617)727-8470 Mr.

Charles Herrington, Chief Registration Branch National Register Dashinterit b. Conseoyation and Recreation Service 1- RECEIVED OCT 1 8 1978 NATIONAL REGISTER Dear Mr. Herrington: Enclosed you will find plate 31 of the Sheffield Real Estate Book. The boundaries of the Old Covered Bridge are deliniated in red. Please note that the nomination is confined to the bridge itself. I hope that this will satisfy the requirement for a verbal boundary description. Sincerely, Candace Jenkins Candace Jenkin National Register Coordinator Massachusetts Historical Commission CJ/ts enclosure THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES OCT 17 1978 DATE RECD CEED) DATE C INITIALS Rev. Chiek FR DR 4/18/78 4/3/78 call -alost cisted P. O. Box 408 Berkshire-Franklin Resource Conservation and Development Area 75 South Main Street Sunderland, Ma. 01375 VATION NATURAT November 1, 1978 Mrs.

Donna Williams National Register Planning Board Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service Department of Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Mrs. Williams: The Berkshire-Franklin RC&D Council supports the nomination of the Sheffield Old Covered Bridge as a candidate for inclusion on the National Register of Historic This nomination was sent to you one year ago on October 16th, 1977. We urge you to make a swift decision as to its status, since the Town would like to save the bridge from possible destruction and their search for funding to reverse the eroding away of the underpinning would be greatly aided by its inclusion on the Register. The RC&D Council is interested in assisting the Town with this worthwhile preserva- tion attempt.

The bridge is unique in its design, utilizing the so-called Town Lattice Truss with Secondary Cords construction, and is the oldest surviving covered bridge in Massachusetts. We feel that speed is extremely important, if the bridge is to be saved -- erosion becomes increasingly serious with each winter and spring's heavy water flow. Once on the Register, it will be possible to provide protection for this unique structure. Once this is guaranteed, it will be easier to enlist the support of other groups to permanently stabilize the area around the piers as well as to riprap the riverbank upstream from the bridge to avoid washouts in future years. Your prompt action would be much appreciated. Another year's delay in a decision could make the matter moot. Thank you. Sincerely, Inichal f sray Michael R.

Shay RC&D Council Chairman MRS: dta SPONSORED BY: Berkshire Conservation District Berkshire County Regional Planning Commission Franklin Conservation District Franklin County Commissioners 413 412-1520 TELEPHONE REPORT OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECT: OLD COVERED BRIDGE Micheal R.Shan To/FROM: DATE: HKe Domma Willtas Lou Cipro 1/8h8 ADDRESS: Sunderlad Mass PHONE: 413-88743-4135 STAFF MEMBER: L. Cipro DIVISION: NR REPORT: Spike to Mrs. Sue Shay (his wite) t told her I was replyig to his lette of Nov.1 78 + thut the old Cavered Bridge wauld be Listed quite soou as as it is virtually through the procell. ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered NOV 2 4 1978 Name Old Covered Bridge Location Sheffield Berkshire County Also Notified Honorable Edward W. Brooke Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honorable Silvio 0.

Conte State Historic Preservation Officer Mrs. Patricia I. Weslowski Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Conmission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 NR Byers/bjr 12/5/78 PH0666335 NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET 2OTHER NAMES: ONAME as it appears on federal register: Old Covered Bridge 6 LOCATION street & number Covered Bridge Lane city / town Sheffield vieinity of state MA NOV'2419 1978 6)NPS REGION: NA 4 county code: 03 (7) OWNER OPRIVATE 9) EXISTING SURVEYS OSTATE ICIPAL CCOUNTY CMULTIPLE COFEDERAL(agency name) FUNDED? OYES CONGRESS.

DISTRICT 1st 12)SOURCE of NOMINAT county Berkshire 8ADMINISTRATOR: X STATE -FEDER SHPO staff DYES ICONDITION Oexcellent Ogood Ofair O deteriorated Oruins Ounexposed Ounexeavated Oaltered Ounaltered Oreconstructed Dexcavated Ooriginal site Omoved Ounknown BACCESS OYES-Restricted DYES -Unrestrictedl EAREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2| - COMMERCE-6 -ARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 O COMMUNICATIONS -7 -AGRICULTURE -3 - CONSERVATION - 8 - ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS- 9 - ART-5 - EDUCATION-10 - No Access Unknown CENGINEERING-11 -ENTERTAINMENT-26 CEXPLORATION - 12 C HEALTH-27 C INDUSTRY-13 - INVENTION-14 - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - LAW- 16 - LITERATURE - 17 - MILITARY- 18 - MUSIC - 19 - PHILOSOPHY -20 teatures: CSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 «OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-2 U3 COSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT - 3 INOT INTACT-O - NOT INTACT-O QONOT INTACT - O KNOWN-4 UNKNOWN-5 SCUNKNOWN -6 APPLICA BLE -7 APPLICABLE-8 ZO NOT APPLICABLE - 9 ADAPTIVE USE OYES SAVED?

OYES -POLITICS/ GOVT.- 21 -RECREATION -28 - RELIGION-22 -SETTLEMENT-29 L SCIENCE- 23 -URBAN PLANWING-31 - SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24OTHER (SPECIFY) - SOCIAL / CULTURAL-30) - TRANSPORTATION - 25 PROPERTY HISTORIC DISTRICT? Dyes Ono DCLAIMS: explain 'first'D 'oldest' O 'only' 0 23) functions WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: CURRENTLY: " architectural style(s): 2) dates of initial construction: major alterations : historic events: ETHNIC GROUP ASSOCIATION Darchiteet: a master builder: engineer: landseape architect / garden designer: S interior decorator: artist: artisan: @builder/contractor: *NAMES give role & date PERSONAL: EVENTS: INSTITUTIONAL: MNATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP date E IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSEEA