Nomination for Thayer Public Library

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 PH0666343TA_SHEET FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RECEIVED APR 3 1978 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM JUL 21 1978 2 3 4 5 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS NAME HISTORIC Thayer Public Library AND/OR COMMON Water Department Building LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 2 John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive CITY, TOWN Braintree STATE - VICINITY OF CODE Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION 025 CATEGORY DISTRICT & BUILDING(S) -STRUCTURE SITE OBJECT OWNERSHIP X PUBLIC PRIVATE -BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS -_BEING CONSIDERED STATUS XOCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE _YES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED * _NO - OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Town of Braintree, Board of Selectmen STREET & NUMBER John F.

Kennedy Memorial Drive CITY, TOWN Braintree _ VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC. STREET & NUMBER Norfolk County Registry of Deeds High Street CITY TOWN Dedham REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 11th COUNTY CODE Norfolk 021 PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE -MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL _PARK -EDUCATIONAL _PRIVATE RESIDENCE -ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS XGOVERNMENT _SCIENTIFIC -INDUSTRIAL -TRANSPORTATION -_MILITARY. -_OTHER: STATE Massachusetts 0218 STATE Massachusetts Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1976 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY, TOWN FEDERAL XSTATE _COUNTYLOCAL Massachusetts Historical Commission STATE Boston Massachusetts 7-DESCRIPTION CONDITION _EXCELLENT X GOOD -FAIR DETERIORATED RUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE UNALTERED XZALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE -MOVED DATE.

DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

Thayer Public Library is located in a mixed area of civil, commercial and residential buildings. The 36'x58' one story, rectangular building is sited on about one acre of simply landscaped grounds. The Renaissance Revival style structure has a slate hipped roof and two chimneys. The brick masonry walls rise from a continuous, finished granite belt above the granite foundation. Corners are quoined, and the deep eaves and moulded cornice are supported by granite consoles rising from a continuous narrow granite stringcourse. The three bay wide facade faces east and is dominated by the center entry. The paired doors are topped by a multi-light transom and set within a round arch with key and boss in spandrels. The entrance is framed by projecting pilaster and a triangular projecting pediment. The fluted pilasters are interrupted by three rusticated blocks and set upon high bases.

Fenestration on the facade consists of paired, double tiered 2/2 sash framed by granite pilaster and segmental arch with key and boss in the spandrels. The top pair of windows are cut to fit the arch. Fenestration on the side elevations consists of a single double tiered 2/2 sashkand framed by the same granite pilaster and arch as the facade. The rear elevation istfour bays wide. The two end bays are composed of paired 2/2 sash set on top of longer paired 1/1 sash. Above these flat arched windows are single width round arches with granite key filled now with brick. The center bays are com- posed of narrow, single round arched 2/2 sash set above, on the north a long 1/1 sash, and on the south a multi-light transom and door reached by a steel staircase running against the building. In the partially exposed basement are four simple segmental axched openings now boarded over.

The interior plan is composed of a central hall which is flanked by two identical rooms and leads to the main room in the rear half. Only one interior room remains substantially unaltered and contains original marble mantel, window shutters, moulded ceiling cornice and vaulted ceiling. Original finish in the other rooms has been removed. The end bay windows on the rear elevation have been replaced by the present paired configuration; the central bay windows have been replaced by a door.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 _1500-1599 _1600-1699 - 1700-1799 X1800-1899 _1900- AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC COMMUNITY PLANNING _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC -CONSERVATION LLAW AGRICULTURE ECONOMICS LITERATURE X ARCHITECTURE -_EDUCATION -MILITARY ART LENGINEERING -MUSIC -COMMERCE -EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT -PHILOSOPHY -COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -INVENTION -RELIGION SCIENCE -SCULPTURE X SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN THEATER -TRANSPORTATION OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1873-74 BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Hammatt and Joseph E. Billings STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Thayer Public Library is significant for its architecture and as the first public library in Braintree. Thayer Public Library was designed by Hammat and Joseph E. Billings. The Billings brothers were well known designers in New England in the mid-19th century and often collaborated. Joseph designed many of the early structures at the Charlestown Navy Yard as well as Grace Episcopal Church in Lawrence. Boston Museum, the National Monument to our forefathers at Plymouth, the original College Hall at Wellesley College, and for the earlier canopy over the Plymouth Rock. and Eor the eatler canogy over Hammat is known for the old He was also an artist and book illustrator.

The Braintree Public Library and this building were the result of the generosity of General Sylvanus Thayer, a Braintree native and retired officer of the Army Engineers. Thayer also endowed the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth and the Thayer Academy of Braintree. Thayer donated $10,000 to thettown for construction of a fireproof structure for the library. He also lent the town another $10,000 and gave an additional $10,000 for support of the institution. After Thayer's death, the affairs of the new free public library were directed by his friend, the Braintree lawyer, Asa French. French had control of the property transferred to thettrustees and arranged appointments to insure that they would always be dominated by appointments of the Thayer Academy.

For over 80 years, the town of Braintree sup- ported the library, although the town did not own the building or hold full control. The town gained title in the 1950's when a larger building was built elsewhere as a library. Since then, this building has been used as offices for the municipal water department.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Récords and Collections of the Braintree Historical Society Records of the Town of Braintree Stoddard; Richard, Hammatt Billings, Artist and Architect, "Old Time New England," Winter 1972, Vo1.IXII, No.3. Withey & Withey, Dictionary of American Architects (Deceased), New York, 1970. Pattee,M.D.; W.S., History of Old Braintree and Quincy 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY. UTM REFERENCES 1 acre 3343 EASTING 61 NORTHING NORTHING VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION 2/f74:0*7031 -Pebdei 110:30 1123 3 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 Braintree Joseph R.

Orfant, National Register Editor & Malcolm Walker, Historical Commission DATE 24 February 1978 TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 STATE Massachusetts 02108 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE | STATE_ LOCAL NATIONAL - 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. Deputy STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE Patuue Zwelusk.

3/23/18 TITLEExecutive Director, Massachusetts Historical Conmission DATE Acting FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER huck 7-21-1p TREGIOR OFFICE OFARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIG PI ZSERVATION SHRER ATTEST: 10901/112 KEEPER OFTHEN ION Lok IAL REGISTER GPO 892.453 Property State Zhayer Quhlic Library Mass. Working Number 4.3.28.2844 TECHNICAL Eeam? Photos_ Maps Norfolk CONTROL OK HISTORIAN Accept 5/24/18 te Torner ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN accept Bravran 5.15.78 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory- Review etitet tally ignifeiant bb aREVIEWAUNHCHIRI Uccept Prominent citizen. Lelarnch 6/12/28 BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 9.5.28 Send-back Re-submit United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 Entered JUL 21 1978 INT : 2106-74 Thayer Public Library Braintree, MA.

1976 Malcolm walker Nontolk JUL 21 1978 Office of the Selectmen County 1 JFK Memorial Drive APR 3 1978 Braintree, MA. 02184 Photo #1g1 Looking west towards the facade and south elevation PERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER ENTRIES IN.THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered JUL 21 1978 Name - Half Way House First Parish Church Capron House Newel1 Farm Locke, Capt. Benjamin, House Hawthorne Class Studio Thayer Public Library Location Chatham Barnstable County Duxbury vicinity Plymouth County Attleboro Bristol County West Newbury Essex County Arlington Miadlesex County Provincetown Barnstable County Braintree Norfolk County Also Notified Honorable Edward W. Brooke Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honorable Gerry E. Studds Honorable Margaret M. Heckler Honorable Michael J. Harrington Honorable Thomas P. O'Neil1, Jr. Honorable James A. Burke State Historic Preservation Officer Mrs.

Patricia I. Weslowski Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Coumission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 NR Byers/bjr 7/25/78 PH0666343 NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET ONAME as it appears on federal register: 2 OTHER NAMES: Thayer Public Library Water Department Building 6 LOCATION street & number city / town vicinity of state 2 John F. Kennedy Memorial Dr. Braintree MA 3date of entry: UL 2.197&ON: GNPS NA 4 county code: 21 OWNER [PRIVATE LISTATE XMUNICIPAL LCOUNTY I OMULTIPLE CFEDERAL(agency name) 9 EXISTING SURVEYS -HABS -HAER ONHL 10 FUNDED? OYES -NO 1)CONGRESS. DISTRICT 11th (12)SOURCE of NOMINATION CWITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORID DISTRICTT BMAL HISTORIC LANOMARK? ACREAGE BJYES MAME...

1 CONDITION Dexcellent -good Dfair - deteriorated Druins Dunexposed Ounexcavated ISACCESS OYES-Restricted DYES-Unrestricted {I AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 -COMMERCE-6 - ARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS-7 -AGRICULTURE-3 - CONSERVATION - 8 -ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS-9 CART-5 - EDUCATION-10 Daltered Ounaltered Dreconstructed -excavated - No Access DENGINEERING-11 -ENTERTAINMENT-26 -EXPLORATION - 12 - HEALTH-27 C INDUSTRY- 13 - INVENTION -14 Doriginal site Omoved Ounknown - Unknown -LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - LAW-16 - LITERATURE - 17 C MILITARY- 18 C MUSIC - 19 - PHILOSOPHY - 20 17) features: *OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 2ONOT INTACT-O ROUNKHOWN-4 20NOT APPLICABLE-7 19 ADAPTIVE USE DYES OONO SAVED?

-YES -POLITICS / GOVT.* 21 -RECREATION -28 CRELIGION-22 -SETTLEMENT-29 - SCIENCE - 23 CURBAN PLANNING-31 - SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24 - OTHER (SPECIFY) - SOCIAL / CULTURAL - 30 - TRANSPORTATION -25 county Norfolk BADMINISTRATOR: XSTATE -FEDERAL ate SHPO "stattred form? DLOCAL -PRIVATE ORGAVIZATION «OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-2 2OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT- 3 90 NOT INTACT-O CONOT INTACT - O w- UNKNOWN-5 5OUNKNOWN-6 NO NOT APPLICABLE-O ZONOT APPLICABLE - 9 IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?

DyesOno @CLAIMS: explain 'first'O 'oldest' O 'only' D 2) functions WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: CURRENTLY: ( architectural style(s): dates of initial construction: major alterations : historic events: ETHNIC GROUP ASSOCIATION @architeet: master builder: engineer: landscape architect / garden designer: M interior decorator: artist: artisan: builder/contractor: 3NAMES give role & date PERSONAL: EVENTS: INSTITUTIONAL: NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP ers initiais date. IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSE