Nomination for Conkey-Stevens House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 REV.

(9/77) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PH0628920 FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVERIAR 1 2 1979 MAY 10 OI DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME 3 4 5 HISTORIC Conkey-Stevens House AND/OR COMMON Same LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 664 Main Street CITY, TOWN Amherst STATE - VICINITY OF CODE 025 -NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT First COUNTY Hampshire CODE 015 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY _DISTRICT X BUILDING(S) -STRUCTURE _SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP _PUBLIC X_PRIVATE - PUBLIC ACQUISITION _IN PROCESS _BEING CONSIDERED STATUS _OCCUPIED X UNOCCUPIED - WORK IN PROGRESS x ACCESSIBLE - YES: RESTRICTED -YES: UNRESTRICTED _NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE _MUSEUM .COMMERCIAL _PARK -EDUCATIONAL XPRIVATE RESIDENCE ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS _GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION _MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Peter Grandonico STREET & NUMBER 131 Rocky Hill Road CITY.

TOWN STATE Massachusetts Hadley VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC. STREET & NUMBER Hampshire County Registry of Deeds King Street CITY, TOWN STATE Northampton Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TÍTLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE 1977 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS Massachusetts Historical Commission -FEDERAL X STATE COUNTY LOCAL CITY. TOWN Boston STATE Massachusetts 7-DESCRIPTION CONDITION EXCELLENT _GOOD FAIR x _DETERIORATED _RUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE *UNALTERED ALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINALSITE _MOVED DATE DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Conkey-Stevens House is located at the corner of Main and Salem Streets in East Am- herst. Its treed two acre lot is set off from the street by a decorative cast iron fence. The two story brick structure was built in 1840 and originally had a hipped roof. It was remodeled in the 1880's with the addition of a bracketted mansard roof, a rear brick and frame ell and a one story verandah extending around its east, south and west elevations. The facade which faces south is three bays wide with the entrance located in the eastern bay. Approached by a flight of three granite steps with low curved side walls, the six paneled door (upper two panels blocked in) was flanked by side lights and carried a rectangular transom. Although these have been sealed with plywood, it is believed that 1880's etched glass remains. Full length windows with shutters are located in the other two bays.

These openings have also been temporarily sealed with plywood. Fenestration on the second floor consists of three windows with 2/2 double hung sash and shutters. The windows and doot ate all headed by granite"lintels. Three dormers with round-arched openings and alterhating triangülar-segmental-triangular pediments light the third story mansard. The bracketted cornice is severely deteriorated and some of the slate shingles, which are laid in an imbricated pattern are missing. The side elevations, also three bays wide, are treated in the same manner as the facade with the exception of the first floor windows which are not full length. Also, a bay window was added to the east elevation in the 1880's remodeling. The one story verandah which extends around the facade and side elevations has an almost flat roof supported by square chamfered columns with bracketted heads above their capitals.

A low molded rail with two dimensional curved balusters connects the columns at the top of their pedestals. wooden lattice-work fills the underpart of the porch, masking the basement. dewarhuvot: The brick portion of the ell, which is directly attached to the blank rear elevation, is one story high and three bays long. Like the main structure, it has' å mansard roof but here the dormers are square headed and carry cornices. Windows have either been bricked in or are tightly shuttered. The wood portion of the ell is also one story in height and has a low pitched roof. A heavily deteriorated frame barn stands to the reax of the house.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD -PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 -1500-1599 -1600-1699 -1700-1799 -1800-1899 - -900- ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE ART COMMERCE COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW _COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE CONSERVATION ALAW _ECONOMICS LITERATURE _EDUCATION _MILITARY -ENGINEERING _MUSIC _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT * PHILOSOPHY. _INDUSTRY -POLITICS/GOVERNMENT _INVENTION -RELIGION SCIENCE _SCULPTURE _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1840 1879-1889 BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Robert Cutler STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Conkey-Stevens House, despite its current deterioration, retains integrity of design, location, setting, materials, and association. It is associated with lives of persons prominent in Amherst's past, and it embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Victorian period which are not usually found in East Amherst. LTC: The house, in its,originalGreek Revivalform, was builtforIthmar,Conkey (1788-1862). in 1840, by Robert Cutler.Born, in neighboring Pelham, Conkey studied law, under 20101 Noah Dickinson Mattoon in Amherst, then returned to Pelham to open his own office in Conkey remained in Pelham, where he served as town clerk, until 1818 when his former teacher moved west and he took over Mattoon's practice.

While in Amherst Conkey served as Justice of the Peace (1819), special commissioner for Hampshire County (1828), County Commissioner (1830), and was finally appointed Judge of the Probate Court by Governor Armstrong (1834). He became a director of the Amherst and Belchertown Railway Company when it was organized in 1851, and in 1854 became one of the incorporators of the Amherst Savings, Bank.: In 1861 he was named to serve on the Convention to revise the State constitution. Following Conkey's death in 1862 the thirty acre property passed briefly to William Barrows who then sold the house with seven acres to Abiel Stevens in 1868. Steven's wife was the sister-in-law of Sidney Dillon, a railroad builder, the president of the Union Pacific Railroad and a millionaire.. Abiel and Maria Steven's son, Albert, pursued a lucrative career with his uncle Sidney before returning to Amherst to farm.

It was the money Albert made in the railroad business which enabled him to remodel the original Greek Revival structure in the currently fashionable Second Empire stylè. Steven's daughter Edith inherited the house and lived there until her death in 1977 when it was sold to the present owner who plans to restore the building to house offices on the first two floors and an apartment above.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Amherst Record, October 13, 1920. Carpenter and Morehouse, History of Amherst. 1896. Hampshire & Franklin Express, November 14, 1862. Norton, Paul F. Amherst: A Guide to its Architecture.1975. Parmenter, Charles O. History of Pelham, Massachusetts from 1738-1898- Registry of Deeds, Hampshire County, Northampton, 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY QUADRANGLE NAME Mt. Toby UTM REFERENCES A 118 7/015/3170 ZONE EASTING C.

2 acres 1416/914/31210/ NORTHING BL, ZONE LILLL ELL HlTLl LILLLIILII QUADRANGLE SCALE 1:24000 1|u/L,1, Lu ASTIN NORTHING LLLLL FLULLILJLAIL HLULLLULILILAJ VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Beginning at the iron pipe marking the southeast corner of land described which iron pipe is westerly along the northerly line of Main Street, 209.37 feet from the intersection of the north line of Main Street and west line of Salem Street; thence from the iron pipe 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 Candace Jenkins, National Register Coordinator ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER 294 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN Boston Adeline Procopio Amherst Historical Comm.

DATE FOLEPHOKY 1979 (617) 727-8470 STATE Massachusetts 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL_ STATE LOCAL L 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 Pittuu LWestwuski 3/1/79 TITLE Executive Director, Mass. Historical Commission DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Mala Aotn DYKEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER ATTEST CHIEF OF RECISTRATION DATE 5/0-79 DATE 5/4/19 GPO 921-803 Form No. 10-300a (Kev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED MAR 1 2 1979 MAY 10 1979 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 10 PAGE 2 Verbal Boundary Description marking place of beginning of land described north 78° 01' 26" west along north line of Main Street. 67.38 feet to a point then North 72° 54 00" west along north line of Main Street. 132.62 feet to an iron pipe marking the southwest corner of the land described and the south- east corner of land now or formerly owned by Henry Scargorough and Helen I. Scarborough. thenc thence north 17° 30 19" along said Scarborough land; thence north 21° 39 06" east part1y along land now or formerly of Edward E. Simpson, Jr. and Jocelyn H. Simpson and partly along land now or formerly of Ralph H.

White and Mildred White 153.76 feet to an iron pipe marking the northwest corner of the land described; thence south 68° 20 54" along other land of Edith Stevens Smith, 202.5 feet to an iron pipe; thence south 19° 18' 50" west along other lar land of said Edith Stevens Smith, 413.35 feet to the point of beginning, containing 2:00 acres more or less. Deed desription Deed Description dated 12/20/1977. roperty Conkey. Stevens House tate mas (Idampelederking kumbels. /2.29.516 TECHNICAL Photos Maps CONTROL 0K 3.13.79 HISTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER DESPITE I1S KARUKR GREEK REUIVAL STYLE BEKINNINGS THE CONKEY STEPHENY HOUSK RELAINS THE CHARACTERISTIES UF AI ITS EXTENSIVE LATK IGH CENTURY REMODELING. THE ARWHTKTURAL FEATURES AUP HS ASSDUATION WITH POUTCHLM ANP INPUSTRUMLY PROMNENT FAMULIES HoWIK READASRTER A DISTINCIIUE PART UF TK AREA IN WHICL It EXL1S.

THOUGL CURRENTLY IN A DETKRIORKED CONDTION MARE ARE PLANS FOR ITS PEHLABILITATION. HAER Inventory - Review - REVIEW UNIT CHIEF ACCERT uM DTUbAL 5/9/19 BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 6-5-79 Send-back Re-submit Entered MAY 10 1979 United States Department of the Interior - Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service Conkey-Stevens House Amherst, Massachusetts Adeline Procopio 1978 Amherst Historical Commission Photo #1 Facade, facing northeast Hamphire Coenty MAR 1 2 1979 MAY | O 1979 nkey-Stevens House 664 Main St. Amher Facing Northeast Picture takien 3/911978 -A.F Conkey-Stevens House Amherst, Massachusetts Adeline Procopio 1978 Amherst Historical Commission Photo MAR 1 2 1979 Photo #2 Facing southwest from rear of house Dampohire County 101979 .

_ Stevens House 664 Main St, Amherst Massoro Facing southwest from rear of Picture taken 3/9/1978- A.Procopro Conkey-Stevens House MAR 1 2 1979 Amherst, Massachusetts Adeline Procopio Amherst Historical Commission Photo #3 Fence in front of house, facing east Hampohire County MAY 10 1979 #b Conkey-Sterens House 664 Main Street AmhersT, Mass 01002 Front of house by fence Facing east Peture taken =/9/1978 A.Pocopiò The Commonwealth of Massachuselts Ofice of the Secrelary Massachusells Historical Commission PAUL GUZZI Secrlary of the Commonuralth 291 Mashinglon Ilred Boston, Massachusells 02/08 (617) 727-8470 RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF PROPOSED NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION MAY 19 1978 HISTORICAL COMMISSION DATE: May 12, 1978 MASS. HIST. COMM. TO: Kristin I. O'Connell, Chairperson, Amherst Historical Commission ADDRESS: 83 Woodside Avenue, Amherst

FROM: MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 8 SUBJECT: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES RECEIVED MAR 1 2 1979 THIS IS TO NOTIFY YOU THAT THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY: NAME: Conkey-Stevens House NATIONAL REGISTER ADDRESS: 664 Main Street, Amhesst OWNER: Mr. Peter Grandonico is being considered by the Massachusetts Historical Commission for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register affords recognition and protection for districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects significant in American History, architecture, archeology and culture. Listing in the National Register places no restrictions on the owner's actions unless Federal funding or licensing is involved. However, certain Federal tax consequences may result from listing in the National Register. -Please refer to section 2124 of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 for an explanation of these provisions.

Please comment below, sign, and return this form at your earliest convenience to Candace Jenkins, National Register Coordinator, Massachusetts Historical Commission at the above address. To facilitate action on this nomination, we would appreciate your response within thirty days. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Jenkins at the Commission office. Approve nomination Disapprove nomination Comments: Signature_ Kristin I. O'Connell _Date 5/16/78 Name and Title Chairpersok, Amkerst Historical Commission 2/2/77 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State 151 February 20, 1979 8. Mr.

Charles Herrington, Chief Registration Branch RECEIVED MNAR 1 2 1979 National Register Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service NATIONAL REGISTER Washington, D.C. 20243 Dear Mr. Herrington: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Amherst: Cambridge: Lawrence: Lynn: Rowley: Springfield: Springfield: Springfield: Wilbraham: Conkey-Stevens House Edwin Abbot House Essex Company Offices a-d Yard G.A.R. Hall Chaplin-Clarke House Julia Sanderson Theater Kennedy-Worthington Blocks Winchester Square Historic District Academy Historic District All have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. They have also been reviewed by our professional staff representing the disciplines of architecture, architectural history, archeology and history. Sincerely,.

Christine Boulding chaste Boeding Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission Enclosures CB/ts CONKEY- STEUENS MOUDZ 3/27/79 131 Rocky Hill Rd. Hadley, Ma. 01035 Dr. Wilian Murtagh: Stevens In regardo to the RE: Cenhez House as mentoned is your March 22, 1979. tette ol do not wish to have house extered in, the National "Repeitar o Nistvi Dtace)..

Lixcerel Peter Siondoner 9 asa Name Odd Fellow's Hall Conkey-Stevens House Sanderson, Julia, Iheater (Paramount Theater) Winchester Square Historic District Turner, Stephen, House Abbot, Edwin, House (Longy School of Music) Chaplin-Clarke House ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered MAY | 0 1979 Location Shelbuzne Falls Franklin County Amherst Hampshire County Springfield Hampden County Springfield Hampden County Norfolk Norfolk County Cambridge Middlesex County Rowley Essex County Also Notified Honorable Paul G. Isongas Honorable Edward M. Kennedy State Historic Preservation Officer Honorable Silvio O. Conte Mrs. Patricia L. Weslowski Honorable Edward P. Boland Executive Director Honorable Margaret M. Heckler Massachusetts Historical Commission Honorable Thomas P.

O'Ne111 294 Washington Street Honorable Nicholas Mayroules Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Byers/bjr Nh For further information, please call the National Register at (202) 343-6401.