Nomination for Kent, Charles House

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 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FEB 2.81978 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS The Kent, Charles, Residence AND/OR COMMON The Palmer, M.B., Residence Kas STREET & NUMBER NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY. TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 14th - Mr. John Seiberling - VICINITY OF PRESENT USE X BUILDING(S) . STRUCTURE _WORK IN PROGRESS X PRIVATE RESIDENCE PUBLIC ACQUISITION LIN PROCESS X.YES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED OWNER OF PROPERTY Maurice B.

and Louisa Palmer 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE Ohio 44266 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS DEPOSITORY FOR 039 44240 133 DATE OBJECT LOCATION SITE Kent CODE Portage COUNTY MUSEUM HISTORIC SCIENTIFIC GOVERNMENT Ravenna TRANSPORTATION ACCESSIBLE STATE OWNERSHIP AGRICULTURE RECEIVED ENTERTAINMENT CATEGORY DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION Ohio RELIGIOUS PARK MILITARY PUBLIC INDUSTRIAL NAME STATUS BOTH Spring 1976 PH0505196 125 North Pearl Street OTHER: DATE ENTERED - EDUCATIONAL 203 West Main Street _COMMERCIAL _BEING CONSIDERED _UNOCCUPIED X.PRIVATE TITLE The Kent Bicentennial Commission Survey Kent State University American Research Center SURVEY RECORDS 7 DESCRIPTION X GOOD FAIR DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Kent residence is a wood frame, Early Gothic Revival structure. It has a steeply gabled roof, wide eaves, and gingerbread bargeboards in rectangular and curvilinear cludes an open staircase with white wooden spindles, a walnut bannister, and a newel post star pattern. The casings in the hall, parlor, and library are fluted in the same pegged frame of 4" x 4" wood studs. The only alterations have been the modernization of the dining room and kitchen, the enlargement of a woodshed into a recreation room, and the addition of bathrooms CONDITION UNEXPOSED EXCELLENT XALTERED RUINS UNALTERED and closets in the upstairs bedrooms.

is repeated in the fleur-de-lis decoration along the projecting cornice of the bay window.The facade is symmetrical with a central entrance and gable, flanked by CHECK ONE with a pearl inset.The frosted sidelights by the front door are etched in a miniature ORIGINAL SITE paneled door has a'transom and sidelights separated by fluted moldings and corner manner as the entrance moldings. The beams are ax hewn, supporting a nailed and _DETERIORATED porch has a gently curved roof and a broken entablature with a segmentally-arched DATE 1909 cut to accommodate the present shutters on the front and side elevations. The front The interior has nine rooms. They are arranged around a central hallway that in- bosses representing the earlier Greek Revival style. XMOVED one and one-half story wings.The hoodmolds over the full length windows have been *AREAS OF

Statement of significance

The Kent residence is significant both architecturally for its juxtaposition of the Greek Revival and "Carpenter Gothic" styles and historically for its connections.with the of the areas early settlers and landowners, commissioned Clark to design the house for his youngest son, Charles, and his wife, Mary Burrett. In 1843, it was the only structure on County Road, later West Main Street, in what was then called Franklin If the house is typical of the architecture of its period, it is a unique remnant of Kent's 1600-1699 1500-1599 1700-1799 LAW COMMERCE POLITICS/GOVERNMENT TRANSPORTATION THEATER ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC COMMUNICATIONS XARCHITECTURE ART EDUCATION PERIOD SIGNIFICANCE ECONOMICS RELIGION EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT ENGINEERING LITERATURE MILITARY SCIENCE Village. X1800-1899 AGRICULTURE SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN SCULPTURE OTHER(SPECIFY) MUSIC _CONSERVATION the house to M.B.

Spellman, who operated a wholesale ice business and was related after the late Governor Martin Davey persuaded him not to demolish it.Green sold past having sheltered some of its leading citizens. 1900- The house was built in 1843 by James Clark.Considered one of the best architects Baptist Church as well as several Early Gothic Revival residences. Zenas Kent, one _PHILOSOPHY early founders and craftsmen of Kent. In l863, before Charles started his dry goods business and his career as the mayor of Kent, he and his brothers Marvin and Henry sold the house and 4-l/2 acres to Phillip the structure in 1940 and began its restoration and remodeling in 1943.

1916 toA.N.Lawson.Lawson had purchased the local newspaper, The Kent Courier, his heirs sold the house to Henry Green, who moved it l50'to its present location Boosinger.Boosinger established a boot and shoe business in Kent that year.In 1909, -1400-1499 local history *COMMUNITY PLANNING BUILDER/ARCHITECT James Clark practicing in the area in the early 19th Century , Clark is best known for his Streetsboro to the wife of John D. Rockefeller. He owned the house for one year, selling it in from Zenas' grandson, William Kent, the year before. The present owners purchased ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC - INVENTION

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 1) Portage County Tax Records and Atlas (1874). 2) Grismar, The History of Kent, Kent Record Courier, 1932. 3) History of Portage County, 1885, Pg. 439-440, 664, 690. 0 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 0.27 VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION of W. Main and Pearl Streets in Kent. STATE - 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE STREET & NUMBER CITY OR TOWN 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION NATIONAL - As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665).F criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE ATTEST 44240 216-673-3866 ZONE CODE COUNTY DATE ORGANIZATION NORTHING TELEPHONE LOCAL Kent Ohio Western Reserve Historical Society ZONE EASTING March 1977 The house is situated on a rise just north of the northwest intersection 4) Conversation with Dr. Robert Dodge -Ohio Historical Society hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the 125 North Pearl Street (owners) FOR NPS USE ONLY UTM REFERENCES THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE JS: 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY ISINCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 888-445 LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES Maurice B. and Louisa Palmer - owners ; Tom Fisher - regional preservationist Kent Quadrangle REF.

# 78002174 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN Inventory - BRANCH CHIEF FEB 23 1978 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 HAER OTHER Entered KEEPER ARCHEOLOGIST TECHNICAL Maps Re-submit CONTROL Send-back Property Review Federal Register Entry National Register Write-up State 22378 REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Working Number 9.28.77./565 4.4.78 NO JUSTIFICATION POR ASSOCIATION U INT:2106 - 74 Photos M. B. Palmer Kent, Charles, Residence, Portage Co., Ohio 125 N. Pearl St. Kent, Ohio 4424- rear, looking west. FEB 2 3 1978 SEP 2 8 1977 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Negative: 125 N. Pearl St., Kent Photo: Louisa Palmer, 1977 Bicentennial plaque Kent, Charles, Residence, Portage Co., Ohio M. B. Palmer 125 N. Pearl St. Kent, Ohio 44240 Detail of doorway, looking east Front entrance showing PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Negative: 125 N.

Pearl St., Kent Photo: Louisa Palmer, 1977 SEP 2 8 1977 FEB 2 3 1978 Kent, Charles, Residence, Portage Co., Ohio 125 N. Dearl St. Photo: Louisa Palmer, 1977 Negative: 125 N. Pearl=St., Kent SEP 2 8 1977 FEB 2 3 1978 Front (west) and south elevations PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTES M. B. Palmer 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC FEB 23 1978 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY KENT QUADRANGLE OHIO-PORTAGE CO. SEP 2 8 1977 KENT 17/469320/4555730 UNITED STATES The Kent-Palmer House Eaat Lake October 21, 1911 Re: H34-880 Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Dr. Murtagh: A letter to us on September 21, 1977, from Judith Kitchen, Since our comments and answers in the nomination forms, in- Bath, Ohio, a site that represents the early history of the sketch of it also appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal. National Park Service them repeated.

We believe that the first sentence of your letter mention- the National Register, and is now pending review by the National Site Preservation Advisory Board as qualified for inclusion in United States Department of the Interior cluding maps, that you received from the Ohio Advisory Board from Kent) has long been in the Metroplitan Museum of Art in New Park Service. However, we will add some remarks concerning our home with its unique and rare Early Victorian architecture, We are often reminded of our home's artistic appeal when Kent,Ohio Charles Kent Residence was built by a master. the only home of its style still standing in a large part of were quite complete, we believe that you do not care to have built when the church was moved in l973 to Hale Homestead in in the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C..

The spire was re- nado in 1956,the drawings of the church and spire were found Dr. William J. Murtagh When your letter of October 4, 1977, in regard recently learned that it has been approved by the Ohio Historic ence of its worthiness to be included in the National Register. the Charles Kent Residence, our present home, and our confid- forms and written comments"which the Advisory Board received Evaluation" we are sending you comments regarding our home. "embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or Under "Criteria for Evaluation"part l,C the house does ing"the list of evidences of the past deemed worthy of keeping from us "were sent to Washington, D.c.

for federal evaluation" Page 2 Re: H34-880 Kent family, a family very prominent in the founding of Kent and We believe that the Charles Kent Residence also qualifies for 1876 and of the National Register, and are grateful that both ex- design of our home. We believe we understand the goals of the Tax Reform Act of the Department of Art and of The School of Architecture of Kent State University.Professor Ivan Rodiguez of the School of Archite- was moved, pleaded with its new owner to move the historic house tennial Commission.The house has often been viewed by students of When several hundred toured our home and the childrenls play- Sincerely, and Governor of Ohio, who lived next door to the house before our homeis history. It was built by a master craftsman for the house patterned after the house during the Bicentennial, among the instead of demolishing it as had been planned. ist.

Louisa Palmer cture informed us of the architectural authenticity and rarity of ural style like this when we have one lin our own back yard.: Our It was moved in l909 150 feet to its pre- FEB 2 3 1978 Brown County Regional Director, Midwest Region 880 Name STATE Mott/js Portage County Also Notified Georgetow vicinity Date Entered Hon. Howard M. Metzenbaum ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Thonpson-Bullock House State Historic Preservation Officer Kent, Charles, House Interstate 7l at 17th Avenue Kent Hon. John H. Glenn, Jr. Hon. John F. Seiberling De. Thomas H. Smith Columbus, Ohio 43211 Location Director, The Ohio Historical Society 2124/78 Kent, Ohio June 26,1978 The Honorable John S. Selber1ing Washington, D.C. 20515 a booklet with our home listed would be printed, and to Charles Kent Residence, a listing which we understand.

Kent, Chio 44240 Register of Historic Places in the United States Depart- We hope that the National Register can add The Pal- you. 125 North Pearl Street, 1225 House Office Building The literature we receive refer to our house as the your office to make this addition to the listing. Thank Dear Mr. Seiberling: Your secretary, Miss Betsy Cutch- inquire about it at your office. The-Palmer House ity in The National Register of Historic Places in the Historio Site. & 1978 Ibitson, speaking for you, called us February 28,1978, Respectfully Palmer House" by the Kent Bicentennial Commission that ment of the Interior.She said that during this summer For ao many Jears our home has been prominently referred to tell us that our home had been listed in The National presented our house with a plaque in l976 as a "Preserved F.

SEIBERLING 1225 LONGWORTH HOUsE OFFICE BUILDING TELEPHONE (202) 225-5231 Congress of the United States FEDERAL BUILDING INTERIOR AND TELEPHONE: (216) 375-5710 July 6, 1978 Mr. Bill Lebovich Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Mr. Lebovich: Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have asked that their home, referred to in the Register as the Charles Kent Residence, might also be referred to as the "Palmer House". For your information, I have enclosed a copy of the Palmer's recent letter to me. I would be most appreciative if you would advise me as to whether THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON PAPER MADE WITH RECYCLED FIBERS JUDICIARY enc. Service /bac WASHINGTON OFFICE: Places. Department of Interior Office of the National Register DISTRICT OFFICE: Heritage Conservation G Recreation INSULAR AFFAIRS Iam writing on behalf of my constituents, Mr..and Mr.Maurice Palmer, made to the Register, and thank you for your assistance.

whose home has been placed on the National Register of Historic of Historic Places or not the additional notation requested by the Palmer's might be Louse of Representatibes AKRON, OHIO 44308 @lashington, 20515 SOHN F. SEIBERLING Sincerely, Member of Congress COMMITT DISTRICT.OHIO JUL 20 1978 Washington, D.C. 20515 February in the"Federal Register" /Sgd/ Jerry I. Rogers Dr. Thomas H. Smith Columbus, Ohio 43211 Assoc. Director, Connally/Chief, OAHP FHR: SLightner:mjd 523-0431 POR-4948 H32-NR Director 7/17/78 House of Representatives Sincerely, We appreciate your interest in historic preservation. This property is listed in the National Register nomination file Director's Reading File Thank you for your inquiry on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Palmer Honorable John F. Seiberling Director, The Ohio Historical Society Dear Mr.

Seiberling: BASIC FILE RETAINED IN NR listing of all National Register properties which is published each the Palmer House. As requested, we will be happy to include both names in the cumulative Interstate 7l at 17th Avenue concerning the Charles Kent House, Portage County.Ohio. bcc: Chris Therral Delaporte FHR-Lumpkin/FHR-CL/CL VNR both by its historic name, the Charles Kent House, and its common name 2 OTHER NAMES: 4 county code: Kent, Charles, House city / town * STATE (12)SOURCE of NOMINATION D deteriorated Oaltered Dexcellent 2C NOT INTACT-O Ounexposed - Unknown ZO NOT APPLICABLE - 9 - No Access @ AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : DRECREATION -28 OCLAIMS: explain - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - POLITICS/ GOVT.

21 CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 "first' O - ENTERTAINMENT-26 - LAW - 16 C RELIGION- 22 - COMMUNICATIONS -7 EXPLORATION -12 - LITERATURE - 17 - SCIENCE- 23 'oldest' O - AGRICULTURE -3 - CONSERVATION - 8 C HEALTH-27 - MILITARY - 18 - SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24 OTHER (SPECIFY) - ARCHITECTURE-4 ECONOMICS - 9 - INDUSTRY- 13 - MUSIC- 19 - SOCIAL / CULTURAL - 30 'only' D - ART-5 - EDUCATION- 10 C INVENTION -14 - PHILOSOPHY -20 - TRANSPORTATION - 25 2) functions (8 architectural style(s): D landscape arehiteot / garden designer: 1) interior decorator: Ireviewers initials.

IIF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER& PUT ON REVERSER 133 PH0505196 CONDITION Portage ASSOCIATION SETTLEMENT-29 ENGINEERING-11 engineer: major alterations: Kent EVENTS: FEDERAL PERSONAL: INSTITUTIONAL: Palmer House historic events: CURRENTLY: builder/contractor: PRIVATE ORGANIZATION LOCAL vicinity of SUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 master builder: WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: Dexcavated ADMINISTRATOR: NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP ARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET COMMERCE-6 dates of initial construction: URBAN PLANNING-31 as it appears on federal register: NPS REGION: Doriginal site 125 N. Pearl St. IS PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?yesno if state who prepared form? Oruins Bartisan: Tfeatures: date. Oreconstrueted 2 3*1978 OYES ONO ETHNIC GROUP artist: LOCATION street & number Dmoved SAVED? OYES