Nomination for Old Central High School

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 REV.

(9/77) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OFTHE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR NPS USE ONLY JUL 1 1980 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED AUG 6 1980 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME 2 3 4 5 HISTORIC Old Central High School AND/OR COMMON Central Annex LOCATION STREET & NUMBER First Street CITY.TOWN _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Pittsfield STATE VICINITY OF CODE 025 COUNTY Berkshire CODE Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION 003 CATEGORY DISTRICT X BUILDING(S) _STRUCTURE .SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP PUBLIC XPRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS -BEING CONSIDERED STATUS _OCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED XWORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE _YES: RESTRICTED _YES: UNRESTRICTED -NO PRESENT USE _AGRICULTURE MUSEUM .COMMERCIAL PARK _EDUCATIONAL -PRIVATE RESIDENCE _ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS -GOVERNMENT -SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL -TRANSPORTATION -MILITARY XOTHER: being rted to housing OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Pittsfield Neighborhood Associates STREET & NUMBER 86 North Street CITY, TOWN Pittsfield VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION STATE Massachusetts COURTHOUSE.

REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC. STREET & NUMBER Berkshire County Registry of Deeds (Middle District) 24 Wendell Avenue CITY. TOWN STATE Pittsfield Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TiTLE Inventory of the Historical Assets of the Commonwealth #2016 DATE 1978 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY. TOWN _FEDERAL XSTATE _COUNTY _LOCAL Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington St., Boston STATE Massachusetts 7- DESCRIPTION CONDITION _EXCELLENT LGOOD LFAIR DETERIORATED RUINS UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE LUNALTERED ALTERED CHECK ONE LORIGINAL SITE -MOVED DATE. DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Old Central High School faces west on the common in the center of Pittsfield and is located two blocks east of North Street, the city's main artery. It is a free standing structure which is U-shaped in plan and symmetrical in elevation. The Beaux Arts style structure rises two stories from a high basement to be enclosed by a complex hip roof accented by finials. It is constructed of buff brick with a rock faced sandstone basement, marble & terracotta trim, and a slate roof. Consistent features include a smooth finished water table, banded rustication of the first story, a molded stringcourse separating first and second stories, rectangular window openings headed by splayed lintels with keystones and a modillion cornice. The main elevation (west) is composed in three parts, a recessed central section with projecting end pavillions.

The nine bay central section is also tri-partite with a slightly projecting five bay center. hentene ahe The center entry, whichis raised above the basement, is framed by paired Corinthian columns carrying a full entabulature and a balustrade. The round arched doorway has a molded keystone; carved swags occupy the spandrels. A panel with cartouche and festoons occupies the frieze. The roof is broken by a cross section which contains a two story dormer. This consists of a tri-partite base with 1/1 windows, transoms and a carved entablature, and a one part upper section with a round arched pediment containing a cartouche. This entire composition 1s flanked by conventional dormerswith traingular pediments. The end pavillions are four bays wide with blank interior walls. Dormerswith round arched pediments pierce the roof on all elevations.

The south elevation is sixteen bays long and is asymmetrically From west to east windows are grouped as follows: three, two, one, two, five, three. An entry which is a flattened version of that of the facade is located beneath the central pair of windows. The single windows to the west of the entry do not conform to floor level. Three evenly spaced dormers break the roofline. The north elevation is identical to the south. The east elevation has a slightly recessed center section with four bay wide end pavillions A five bay wide, one bay deep ell projects from the center of the building. Its basement, which is higher than that of the rest of the building has round arched windows and is finished with banded rustication. The upper stories are united by elongated window openings terminating in round arches with keystones. Carved spandrels are located just beneath the impost level.

Single bays, containing simple arched entries, flank the ell. The end pavillions are treated as the other elevations, and have dormer with arched pediments.

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- ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE X ARCHITECTURE ART _COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW _COMMUNITY PLANNING _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE -CONSERVATION -LAW _ECONOMICS -LITERATURE XEDUCATION _MILITARY LENGINEERING -MUSIC _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY. _INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT INVENTION _RELIGION SCIENCE _SCULPTURE -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -THEATER TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1898 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Pierce & Bruhn, New York The Old Central High School possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship and signiticant associations with the educational history of the comm- e .atvoly otaborate sor i oanoi boiain unity. Additionally, its Beaux Arts design is relatively elaborate for a school building. Important features include its symmetrical plan, classical entries, marble trim, elaborate dormers and complex roofline accented by finials. When Pittsfield's High School building on South Street burned in 1895, the City sought a design for a new building to be located adjacent to "The Common" on First Street. This area had been bought for use as a town cemetery in 1833. The advent of the rail- road in 1842 cut off a sizeable portion of the northern section and seriously restricted the size of the cemetery.

As a result, a decision was made to relocate the cemetery where there was room for future expansion. In 1850, the present Pittstiela Cemetery was organized on Wahconah Street, and by 1872, all the graves had been moved to that location from the Common. The disuse of the property for a cemetery made it a prime location for the construction of the new high school.. The advertisement for designs for the new building brought 130 responses. The architects finally chosen were Messieurs Pierce & Bruhn of New York City. Their cost estimate was over the $75,000 budgeted for the construction of the new building. However, the re- sulting structure was and is one of the most important architectural statements in the city.

It impressive design 1s further enhanced by its location on the Common, one of the most visible locations in the city- At the time of the school's completion, the Common was partly equiped as a playground and was provided with walks, benches, and shade trees. The bandstand, which had stood on Park Square was moved there, and this piece of land found a new focus as a park, com- plementing the new High School building. By 1914, however, the High School, built to accomodate 600 students was crowded with 914. In 1931, a new high school building was constructed, and Central was converted into a Junior High school. With the opening of the Junior High Schools in 1953, the building was again vacated, unused until 1959, when the Junior Highs' experienced a surge in their student population. By 1961, the pinch had subsided, and the building became the birthplace of Berkshire Community College.

With the removal of Berkshire Community College to its new facility, and the reduction in school building use, it seems that old Central High School, which has been a cornerstone of Pittsfield's educational system for over o years, nas finally ended 1ts educational career. It 1s now in the process of being converted to housing.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Boltwood, Edward, History of Pittsfield, 1876-1916, Pittsfield City of Pittsfield 1916, pages 139-40 Assessor's Records, City of Pittsfield, Ma. Pittsfield "Sun: (newpaper): October 14, 1897: October 6, 1898; August 1, 1895: October 29, 1895: December 4, 1872. Berkshire "Eagle:, July 27, 1895. ACREAGE NOT VERIFIED UTM NOT VERIFIED O GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY less than 1 acre Pittsfield East QUADRANGLE NAME UTM REFERENCES ALL,8/ 16/44 10,1,0/ ZONE EASTING 14,710,1/11210) NORTHING -QUADRANGLE SCALE: 1:24000 BL,J ZONE EASTING NORTHING EL, IILHL FLU LLILULILILNN GLLILILILI HULLLULILL VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Old Central High School is bounded on the North by McLaughlin Place, on the East by Second Street, on the South by Rostone Place, and on the West by 'The Common" on First Street. Please refer to the attached 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 Candace Jenkins, National Register Coordinator ORGANIZATION DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission April 1980 STREET & NUMBER TELEPHONE 294 Washington Street 617-727-8470 CITY OR TOWN STATE Boston, Massachusetts 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESER VATION 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 6p4/50 Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical CommissiogATE TITLE FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS JNCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER HATIONA are REGISTER KEEFER OETHE BTNISBORTSE DATE ATTEST: au DATE 8.6:80 7/30/80 GPO 921-80- Property Old Central Hugh School stateMQ, Berteshiterking Number 1/1/30/1744 TECHNICAL Photos - Maps CONTROL This building is sigrificant both for is architectural quality and for it so yea HISTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 2.3.81 Send-back Re-submit EnteredG 6 1980 United States Department of the Interior - Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service old Central High School First Street Pittsfield, Mass.

Berkeshire co- David Douillet 1978 Pittsfield Historical Commission Photo #1 oz 1 Southwest elevation facing northeast 086/ 9 RAL HiGH SCHO /MA. DOUILLET 197 PIISFIELO AASTORICAC SOUTHWEST ELEVATION E )75 Advisory Council On Historic Preservation 1522 K Street NW. Washington D.C. 20005 JN:030 JAN 2 8 1980 Mr. Edward Machado Environmental Officer Department of Housing and Urban Development Area Office Bulfinch Building 15 New Chardon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02114 Dear Mr. Machado: On January 14, 1980, the Council received revised plans for treatment of the auditorium roof, Central Annex, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This information was submitted to the Council to satisfy our previous "conditional no adverse effect" for conversion of the Central Annex into housing units for the elderly. After review of the revised plans (Barry Architects Inc./Central Annex and North Street-MHFA No.

79-093-R/#7924, sheets A 7 and A 11) the Council has no objections to the project as proposed. This concludes our review of the Central Annex project as required by the Council's régulations "Protection of Historic and Cultural Properties" (36 CFR Part 800). We commend the developer and architect for their innovative design solution for this re-use project. Sincerely, odan 2.Vannenboum Jordan E. Tannenbaum Cbief, Eastern Division of Project Review Office of Community and Economic Development City Hall Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 (413) 499-1100 Charles L. Smith Mayor TSF Janet L. Goldberg Commissioner June 5, 1980 Stephen D. Barry Barry Architects, Inc. 29 Wendell Ave. Pittsfield, Ma. 01201 Dear Steve: Just to confirm our conversation of June 4, I would agree with you that the roof trusses on the Central Armex should be a color that it is comp-.

atible with other elements of the building. Since, as you pointed out, the windows will be bronze, and since the trusses are already brown, I would agree that a dark brown would certainly be an appropriate color. I might also add that the retention of the trusses and the copper roof ornament have certainly added another dimension to the renovation of the Annex, one that is particularly effective. I certainly applaud the flexibility that allowed that feature of the building to be retained. - I am looking into why you have not received a response from Mr. Mandell on the retention of the wainscoating. If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know. Yours very truly, Dine Diane U.

Kallmann Historical Resources Planner cc: Bob Kuehn Deanna Saviski MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 June 23, 1980 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State aITIL RECEIVED JUL 1 19BO P NATIONAL REGISTER Ms. Carol Shull, Acting Keepter Registration Branch Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service DOI W434 Washington DC 20243 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Ipswich - Historic Resources of the Central Village, Ipswich, Mass. (partial inventory: historic and architectural (National) Greenfield - Weldon Hotel (local) Pittsfield - O1d Central High School (local) All have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer.

Sincerely, Christine Boulding Survey Director chuitni Bonbing CB/mt encls. Office of Community and Economic Development TSFTE City Hall Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 (413) 499-1100 Charles L. Smith Mayor W450 Janet L.Goldberg Commissioner June 30, 1980 Lee Nelson Chief, Technical Preservation Services Division U.S. Department of the Interior Heritage, Conservation and Recreation Service Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Mr. Nelson: Project number: MA-80-0120 As the preservation planner for the City of Pittsfield, I am concemec about the denial of certification that has been received on the applicatior of Pittsfield Neighborhood Associates (June 4, 1980). Having prepared the National Register nomination for the Old Central High School, and having taken comprehensive photographs of the interior of the building, I do feel that I am familiar with its configurations.

The developer of the Old Central High School has involved the City, the Massachusetts Historical Conmission, and the Advisory Council in the development of a design that would both insure the preservation of the building, while it at the same time met the standards of both the local building codes, as well as HUD's minimum property standards for substantial rehabilitation. A number of configurations were considered, with the final one being agreed upon by those involved as the only one which satisfied the various codes and standards, while preserving the exterior integrity of the building to the greatest degree. Perhaps the most important issue is that the development of the Old Central High School might have been abandoned were it not for the adaptations made, as the cost would have been prohibitive.

This might very well have resulted in the further decay, vandalism, and the final The compromises worked out, in addition, were a demonstration that older buildings can be adapted to meet today's needs, and that modifications mandated by local, state and HUD standards could be facilitated where necessary. It may be difficult to convince a developer to enter into such a project in the future if he feels that anything short of "restoration" will be rejectd. I certainly hope that your office will look favorably on the appeal of Pittsfield Neighborhood Associates for tax certification. If I can be (2) of any assistance, or if you have questions, please feel free to call. Xours very truly; Khene Kallmana Diane U.

Kallmann Historical Resources Planner cc: PNA b dhdhatdl Pittsfield Historical Commission City Hall - Pittsfield,Massachusetts - 01201 le Pittsfield Historical Survey and *Planning Project a jont effort of the Pittsfield Historical Commission and Planning Board June 30, 1980 Lee H. Nelson Chief, Technical Perservation Services Division U.S. Department of the Interior Heritage, Conservation and Recreation Service Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Mr. Nelson: W450 The Pittsfield Historical Conmission would again like to go on record with their support of the application for certification of rehabilitation of the Old Central High School, Pittsfield, Ma. (W450). It was our stand at the time that the modifications to the Old Central High School were the only way to allow a cost-effective reuse for the building.

It was our feeling at the time, that the altemate to changing the design was the probability of the entire project being shelved. That action would almost certainly have resulted in the ultimate destruction of the building, a consequence which would have grave impact on the City of Pittsfield, and the inmediate neighborhood to the school. We know that a tremendous amount of work has gone into minimizing the impact of construction on the building, and feel that the compromises worked out with our local staff, the Massachusetts Historical Conmission, and the Advisory Council represent an acc- eptable solution to the problems. We are extremely distressed that your office is not able to support this carefully worked out compromise.

We feel that while your standards outline the optimm solutions, the phrase "whenever possible" allows for some flexibilty when the change could affect the ultimate fate of the building. We respectfully urge your office to reconsider the denial of certif- ication and act favorably on the application of Pittsfield Neighborhood Associates. Thank you for your consideration. Yours very truly, Jøhn H. Ott Chairman HITATATO OVLY THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY OLD CITY HALL - 45 SCHOOL STREET BOSTON. MASSACHUSETTS 02108 - (617) 723-6800 - July 1, 1980 Deputy Associate Director for Cultural Programs National Park Service Department of the Interior Washington, D. C. 20240 Re: Central Annex/Pittsfield,Mass. Project: #MA-80-0120 MHFA #79-93-R Gentlepeople: We are writing in support of the rehabilitation work on the above-captioned project.

We feel that the development team has provided an innovative solution that both preserves the historic character of the building while providing 62 units of much needed housing. In the MHFA review process, we examine the building from the site to the completion of construction. During this process, we were aware that the development team was faced with a difficult problem in preserving and converting an important building in the City of Pittsfield. With them, we examined and rejected a number of alternative solutions. The resulting solution was approved by MHFA as the best of the alternatives. its efforts to preserve the historic character of the building and its emeotes We feel that the development team has gone beyond the norm in endorse its application for eligibility under the 1976 Tax Reform Act.

Rera o Jolnsan Design & Technical Officer RAJ/JMF cc: Housing Associates ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered AUG 6 1980 Name Old Central High School Location Pittsfield Berkshire County Also Notified Honorable Paul Isongas Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honorable Silvio 0. Conte NR Byers/arb 8/19/80 State Historic Preservation Officer Mrs. Patricia L. Weslowski Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts For further information, please call the National Register at (202)343-6401.