Nomination for Heywood, Levi, Memorial Library Building

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 FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED 2 1979 DEC 6 1979 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME HISTORIC Levi Heywood Memorial Library Building (preferred) AND/OR COMMON Gardner Museum LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 28 Pearl Street CITY.

TOWN Gardner STATE N/A VICINITY OF CODE 025 _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT znå tAi COUNTY Worcester 3 Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION 227E * CATEGORY _DISTRICT XBUILDING(S) STRUCTURE SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP PUBLIC XPRIVATE BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS BEING CONSIDERED STATUS SCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE X_YES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED -NO PRESENT USE -AGRICULTURE XMUSEUM _COMMERCIAL _PARK -EDUCATIONAL - PRIVATE RESIDENCE ENTERTAINMENT -RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION _MILITARY _OTHER 4 OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Levi Heywood Memorial Library Association STREET & NUMBER 28 Pearl Street CITY, TOWN Cardner VICINITY OF 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC.

Worcester County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER STATE Massachusetts 2 Main Street CITY, TOWN Worcester 6 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS STATE Massachusetts TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth #11 DATE 1977 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS Massachusetts Historical Commission CITY. TOWN _FEDERAL X STATE COUNTY LOCAL Boston STATE Massachusetts 71 DESCRIPTION CONDITION XEXCELLENT _GOOD _FAIR _DETERIORATED _RUINS CHECK ONE _UNALTERED XALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE _UNEXPOSED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Heywood Memorial Library Building, now used as a museum, is a one-and-one-halt storey structure of Queen Anne style design with an asymmetrical floor plan and asymmetrical elevations. The building rises from a basement of rock-faced, granite ashlar to steeply pitched roofs which are covered with slate tiles and trimmed with a terra-cotta cresting along the ridges. Above the basement, the building is faced with red, pressed brick and trimmed with both brown sandstone and terra- cotta. The facade is dominated by a gabled central pavilion (slightly east of center) which is flanked by a semi-octagonal bay (west) and a blank wall (east). The central pavilion is symmetrical containing a center entry flanked on each side by one window and surmounted by two windows. The entry consists of two, parallel oak doors surmounted by an arched transom of stained art glass.

Set in front of the entry is an open porch, framed by brick piers and three elevations. Granite steps provide access to the porch's west elevation, while the east and south elevations are blocked by panelled railings of sandstone. At the extrados of the porch's south arch are two panels of terra-cotta bearing elaborate foliate decoration and two placques embossed with the year in which the building's construction began, 1885. Directly above the porch, paired brick pilasters rise in two stages to a sandstone entablature/cornice bearing the words "MEMORIAL BUILDING" Set between these pairs of pilasters are two windows each of which contains double-hung sash are glazed with stained art-glass. an arched transom, all of which These arched windows are framed by brick pilasters with stylized Ionic capitals, brick arches with keystones and small terra-cotta panels.

Above the entablature/cornice is a triangu- lar terra-cotta panel which occupies a portion of the gable. This panel bears ornate foliate decoration and the name "LEVI HEYWOOD". The gable of the central pavilion is trimmed with a sandstone coping and a central finial at the peak of the gable. Slightly lower on the gable are two, smaller finials set above the paired pilasters described above. At the gable's eaves are decorative blocks of carved sandstone. At the central pavilion's first storey are two additional windows, one set on either side of the entry. These two windows are identical; each is set in an arched surround framed by dressed sandstone quoins. The lower portion of each window contains 1/1 sash, surmounted by a semi-circular transom of stained art-glass. West of the central pavilion is a five-sided bay.

All of the bay's except its western one, contain one each; these windows are identical to those at the central pavilion's first storey. The bay's west elevation contains a chimney which is bland below the bay's cornice; above the roof, the chimney decreases in size and rises from a base framed by sandstone volutes. Above the base the chimney is pilastered and decor- ated with terra-cotta tiles. Form No. 10-300a (Kev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTOR Y -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED OCT 2 1979 DATE ENTERED DEC 6 1979 CONTI NUATION SHEET Heywood LibraryITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 2 East of the facade's central pavilion is a gable set at right angles to the facade. This secondary gable faces east and is trimmed a coping like that of the central pavilion's gable.

through the peak of Rising the secondary gable is a chimney which is framed by sandstone volutes at the roof's ridge; above this point the chimney is pilastered and has decorative terra-cotta tiles. north (rear) elevation contains a rounded bay, which corresponds in width to the central pavilion of the facade. Windows, identical to those of the facade's first storey, are evenly spaced along this rounded bay. portion of the north elevation (northwest corner) is blocked by a 10' square, one-storey addition of contemporary design. Alterations to the building's exterior are minor. The original railing of the main entry has been removed, the parapet of the porch has been re-built, and an entry has been added to the basement of the library's west elevation.

Although the building's interior has been altered by the insertion of a mezzanine at the rear of the first storey (1963), the former li- brary retains abundant stained art-glass (including a dome over the bay--now blocked), original oak woodwork and all four of its orig- inal fireplaces.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 - 1500-1599 -1600-1699 -1700-1799 X1 800-1899 -1900- ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC _ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE ART COMMERCE COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW _COMMUNITY PLANNING _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE -CONSERVATION LAW -ECONOMICS _LITERATURE XEDUCATION -MILITARY _ENGINEERING -MUSIC EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY _INDUSTRY -POLITICS/GOVERNMENT _INVENTION -RELIGION -SCIENCE _SCULPTURE XSOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER -TRANSPORTATION -OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1885-1886 BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Fuller & Delano STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE lhe Levi Heywood Memorial Library Bullding, now the Gardner Museum, possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workman- ship; additionally, the building possesses historical associations with the city's leading family of industrialists, who were of major importance in Gardner's development. Begun in 1885 and completed in 1886, the Heywood Memorial Library was designed by the regionally prominent firm of Fuller and Delano of Worcester. The building's fine carved stone, terra-cotta panels, "free Renaissance' ornamentation and stained glass, remain intact and are re- presentative of the most sophisticated level of Queen Anne design in Cen- tral Massachusetts. Further, the building's interior retains original oak woodwork, mantel-pieces, and stained glass, bearing only minor alterations.

Levi Heywood, whom the building memorializes, was a native of Gardner the grandson of Seth Heywood, one of the community's earliest settlers. Levi Heywood was especially important in the development of the city's chair industry, having introduced innovative manufacturing machinery and business practices which helped to make chair manufacturing Gardner's most important industry. Heywood was also active in local politics, serving as Gardner's representative to a state constitutional convention (1853) and as the city's representative to the General Court (1871). Heywood was active in local banking and in the establishment of recreational parkland at Gardner's Crystal Lake.

Although a library society had existed in Gardner since 1841, prior t February 4, 1886, when the Heywood Memorial Library was given to the city by Calvin Heywood, Helen Greenwood and Alvin Greenwood, Gardner had had no library building. Donations for the furnishing of the Heywood Library were made by Mrs. Fanny B. Heywood, Mrs. H.S. Stratton, Miss Martha W. Hey wood and Charles Heywood, all of whom also contributed to the endowment of a reading room. In its first year of operation, the Heywood Library had a circulation of 12,934 books and 600 borrowers. Initially, supported by its endowment, the library experienced a severe drop in income in 1915 because of fluctuations in the stock of the Heywood-Wakefield Chair Manu- facturing Company; as a result of this loss, the library budget began to be provided out of city funds and city officials were added of Trustees.

Until 1978, the library remained in operation; after this funhe andrciy to the Board date the consolidation of library services by the city led to the closing of the Heywood Library and to the building's re-use as the Gardner Museum.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Moore, E., History of Gardner Herrick, History of Gardner 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY - 14,500 sq.

F&JTM NOT VERIFIED QUADRANGLE NAME GS: Gardner QUADRANGLE SCALE 1:24000 UTM REFERENCES AL1,91 1215,419,7,0 ZONE EASTING 14,711,812,2,0) NORTHING LIl,Lu VORTHING ELI GLULILLL VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Lilil BLJ ZONE EASTINC -u LL FLIJ LLLLIL HLLLLULLL Please refer to the attached assessor's map 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 with Brian Pfeiffer, Consultant ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER 294 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN Boston Eric Engelson, Gardner Historical Commission DATE June, 1979 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 atena ZWestristi 9/14/79 TITLE Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Conmission DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER dch salli & Olaher ATTEST: KEEP ER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER CHIEF OF REGISTRATION DATE 12/6/29 DATE Cpo 16,553 90%6 *7 90.62 90.12 JOHN W.$KATHLEEN J. ARCANGELI ABS.1976 P. W-588B P.I13 1I,ICO SA.FT. 25.78 1959-P-397 4061-7-292 10244 1183,18.920 ERNESTJ +UIRGINIA R. RAHAIM A35-1951- P 229 W-3345- 7.358 25,643 R=25' L=30.85' + 60.96° Gardner, Mass. Levi Heywood Memorial Library City Assessor's Map 93.47' LeT 4 HEYWOOD MEMORIAL LIBRARY ASSN.

14,500 Gardner Museum DISTANCES PEARL 9g 7,66 ELM 186 1979 DEC RECEIVED OcT 2 NATIONAL REGISTER Property Heywood Zevi Memorial rbrary buileing (preferred) state Ma WarcWorking Number /0. 2.29,2344 TECHNICAÍ Photos- Maps CONTROL HISTORIAN HE BUILDINK IS A WEL DESIENED AND EXELUTED EXANMCE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN OE 1TS TYPE AND IS AUSO SIGNIFICANT FOR IS ASSOCLATIONS WOITE THE LOLALLY PROMUNENT ACLERT HEYUDDD FAMILY WHKLH BUILT AND ORCRDEEA ITS OPERATION. UA DOVGAL ARCHEOLO/123 OTHER HAER Inventory - Review - REVIEW UNIT CHIEF 12/9/5 BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 2-5-80 Send-back Re-submit Entered DEG 6 1979 INT:2106 -74 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 Gardner, Mass.

Levi Heywood Memorial Library Buldng Windsor Robinson 1977 Photo #1 Worcester County South Elevation & 1979 DEC 6 1979 mm si 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 September 25, 1979 Mr. Ronald Greenberg, Acting Chief Registration Branch OAHP, Heritage Conservation and Recreation service 440 G. Street NW Washington, D.C. 20243 Dear Mr. Greenberg: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Gardner - Levi Heywood Memorial Library Gardner - Jabez Partridge House Newton - Peirce School A11 have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Sincerely, chrshne Bourding Christine Boulding Survey Director CB/mt enc.

RECEIVED OCT 2 1979 NATIONAL REGISTER -2 Heywood, Leui, memorial Libram Tlease chanpe name to- Heynood, Leui Memgrial Builcling - HM LEVI HEYWOOD MEMORIAL LIBRARY 57 CITY HALL AVENUE GARDNER, MASS. 01440 PHONE: 617/632-5298 EST. 1884 worchester Co. October 13, 1979 Mass Mr. Charles Herrington Acting Keeper of the National Register Washington, D.C. 20243 Dear Mr. Herrington: Thank you for your recent correspondence concerning the possible inclusion of the Levi Heywood Memorial Building in the National Register of Historic Places. - The Trustees of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library Association, owners of the structure, welcome the opportunity to have this fine building listed in the Register. It is the wish of the Trustees that the building, if nominated, be listed as the Levi Heywood Memorial Building, which is the official title of the structure carved in stone on the building's facade.

We wish that the word'library' be deleted from the registered title so that there will be no confusion . with the present Levi Heywood Memorial Library. The 28 Pearl Street facility formerly served as this city's library but is now the home of the Gardner Museum, Inc. and is also used as the meeting place for historical groups. We sincerely hope that this request in no way impedes the inclusion of this distinguished structure in the National Register of Historic Places. Thank you. Sincerely, lahiban Robert L.

Rice Director PROJECT CORSOLEATE) CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM FLACES OCT 1 5 (979 CHED) INITIALS 81/01cg ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACTUSTTTS DEC Date Entered _ 6 6979 Name Location Partridge, Jabez, lomestead Heywood, levi, Menortal LAbrary Bul141n5 Peirce School Gardner Worcester County Gardner Worcester County Newton Middlesex County - Also Notified Honorable Paul G. Isongas Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honorable Robert F. Drinan tate Historic Preservation Office rs. Patricia L. Weslowsk Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Cormission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 (NR Byers/bjr 12/12/79