Nomination for Old Post Office Building

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries-complete applicable sections 1. Name For HCRS use only received AUG 11 1031 date enteredSEP 14 1981 historic Old Post Office Building and/or common Same 2. Location street & number 360 Washington Street - not for publication city, town Lynn vicinity of congressional district Sixth state Massachusetts 3.

Classification Category Ownership district X - public X building(s) - private _ structure both _ site Public Acquisition object in process being considered code 025 county Essex code 007 Status - occupied - unoccupied - work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted _ no Present Use agriculture commercial educational entertainment X government industrial military museum park private residence _ religious scientific -transportation other: 4. Owner of Property name United States Marine Corps street & number 360 Washington Street Lynn state Massachusetts 01902 city, town vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description Essex County Registry of Deeds/Essex Counnty Courthouse courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. street & number Salem city, town state Massachusetts 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic titleAssets of the Conmonwealth has this property been determined elegible? yes date 1977 - federal state - depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Conmission Boston city, town state Massachusetts 02108 7. Description Condition excellent X good fair _ deteriorated _ruins unexposed Check one - unaltered X altered Check one original site - moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Old Lymn Post Office is a two story Renaissance Revival style building occupying a lot with frontage on Washington, Liberty, and Willow Streets. Ihe structure contains three sections, a rectangular plan, front section built in 1897-1898, a one-story loading platform added to the rear wall (east) of the front section between 1924 and 1938, and a concrete block garage added to the north wall of the loading platform in the mid-twentieth century. The building's front section (original structure) rests on a basement of dressed granite ashlar. The basement is below grade level at the building's north end, is exposed to an open light well on the west facade and is largely above ground at the south end. The building's upper floors are constructed of yellow brick with ornate trimmings glazed yellow terracotta (1.e.

modilllons, egg and dart mouldings, bead and reel mouldings and all window trim). At the second story, the building becomes "U" shaped in plan with an open court on its east (rear) wall. The structure is by a hip roof covered with metal - sheathing which is partially concealed by a solid parapet. WEST FACADE: The building's major facade faces Liberty Street and is made up of nine bays, symmetrically arranged. The outermost, end bays are semi-circular and contain the buildings major entries. Both entry bays are approached from flights of granite stairs with stepped solid railings. Each entry is at the first story and is set at a 45° angle to the major facade. Although original doors have been replaced, both entries retain original decoration consisting of polished granite columns with marble Ionic capitals supporting a brick and terracotta entablature.

Above each entry is a single window set in an earred frame with a cornice; each window is framed by brick pilasters which rise to egg and dart moulded capitals. These pilasters continue through the entablature and parapet, terminating in terracotta acroteria at the base of the dome. Each end bay is covered by a high dome which is sheathed in copper. Copper sheathing is embossed with a fish-scale patter and vertical ribs; each dome terminates in a moulded base supporting a ball-finial. The remaining seven bays of the west facade consist of five identical center bays (with windows) flanked by two outer (blank) bays. Each outer bay contains a pair of brick pilasters which rise from a moulded base to a brick and terracotta entablature and cornice which extends around the building at the top of the first story.

At the second story are two shorter pilasters in the same position, rising to support an architrave and modillioned cornice, which extends around the entire building.. Both sets of pilasters have bead and reel mouldings and egg and dart mouldings at their capitals. Above the second story cornice is a brick parapet with a terracotta coping. The center five bays each contain one rectangular window at the basement, and arched window set in a moulded surround with keystone at the first and a rectangular win- dow set in a moulded surround with keystone at the first and a rectangular window set in an earred surround with a moulded cornice at the second story. Sash of the basement is 2/2; that of the first story is tri-partite consisting of three sets of 2/2 sash surmounted by a three-pane semi-circular light; that of the second story is 2/2.

SOUTH ELEVATION: Facing Washington Street, the south elevation shares the same general arrangement of bays with the west facade. The south elevation consists of two outer, pilastered bays flanking three bays containing windows. The western-most first story window has been partially filled with brick NORTH ELEVATION: Facing Willow Street, the north elevation is identical to the south eleva- tion, except that it has no basement windows, as a change in the grade levels places most of the basementbeneath street level at the north end.

FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form For HCRS use only received date entered SEP 14 1981 2 Continuation sheet Item number 7 Page EAST ELEVATION: Of the east elevation of the original structure, only one bay at its south end and the second story of its northernmost bay are visible. The souther bay contains one window centered at the first and second stories. The first story window is set in a moulded frame with an arched head and keystones. The second story window is set in an earred frame; the second story window of the northernmost bay is identical. ADDITIONS: Centered on the east wall of the original building is a one-story addition, built of yellow brick with concrete trim.

Facing south (Washington Street) this addition has a Loading platform which is served by two entries with double metal doors. Set between these doors is a window with metal framed sash. A second window exists just west of the loading platform. Attached to the north wall of this addition and to the rear wall of the original structure is a concrete block garage, which extends northward to Willow Street and has two over-sized entries to allow truck access. Both additions have flat tar and gravel roofs.

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 1900- Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below - archeology-prehistoric community planning - landscape architecture - archeology-historic conservation agriculture economics X _ architecture education art engineering commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention law literature military music philosophy : X politics/government - religion - science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation - other (specify) Specific dates 1896 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Unknown Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Old Lynn Post Office Building possesses integrity of location, design, materials, and workman- ship. It is significant for its associations with civic growth in Lym and as a unique local example of Renaissance Revival style architecture. Designed in 1896 and built in 1897-1898, the building is constructed of yellow brick with ornate classical trim (mouldings, pilaster capitals, entablatures, and cornices) made of glazed, yellow terracotta. Unusual . features of the building include its two semi-circular entry bays located at the structure's north- west and southwest corners. Each bay contains an entry framed by Ionic colums of polished granite each bay is capped by a dome covered with copper sheathing, embossed with a fish- scale pattern.

With the exception of the main entries' doors, which have been changed, the exterior of the Old Lynn Post Office is in original condition. The Post Office meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places. The rapid growth of Lym's business and population in the 1880s and 1890s created the need for a large central post office to handle the city's increasing volume of mail. In 1891, sites for such a building were considered, although the present lot was not selected until 1895, when government architects who are unnamed in local accounts prepared plans for a large Romanesque Revival style building. -For reasons enknown, the first proposed buzlding was never built; instead the plans were withdrawn and the present building's design was accepted in July of 1896. Construction began in 1897 and was finished in 1898.

From its opening in 1898 until its replacement by the present post office in the 1930s, #360 Washington Street contained a post office at its first story for the Collector of Internal Revenue and for the Collector of Costimes: Since the 1930's, the building has been used as a U.S. Marine Corps Armory. At present, much of the first story is occupied by the offices of the Lynn Economic Opportunity Center.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Lynn City Item. May 8, 1891, p.2; Jan. 4, 1895, p. 3; July 17, 1896, p.4; Sept. 3, 1897, p. 3. Lym Scrapbooks. (Unpublished collections at the Lynn Public Library)Vol. II, pp. 11 & 43; Vol, 30, p. 59; Vol 34, p. 19-2; Vol 37, p. 55. 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 17,664 sq. ft. _ UIM NUT VER Quadrangle name - Lynn UMT References ACREAGE NOT VENQuarangle scale 1:25000 A L119 3/3,98,1,0 14,710,310,1,0 Zone Easting Northing cLuLlL ILLL LiLL Zone Easting Northing DLIJ LLILLL LILLL FLU LLILIL ULLLL Verbal boundary description and justification Land and building on the east side of the Liberty Street between Washington and Willow Streets, shown on Lynn Assessor's Map, Sheet 21, Block 643, Lot #L. 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, Registration Director w/ Brian Pfeiffer, City of Lynn organization Massachusetts Historical Conmission date April 1981 street & number 294 Washington Street (617) 727-8470 telephone Boston Massachusetts 02108 city or town state 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 Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service.

State Historic Preservation Officer signature Patuma IWeslowski title Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Conmission date 7/28/81 For HCRS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register forkaoper of yha Matonal rfegieter H. Attest: VatuickAndus pr/Cnieto Regsraton date 9/14/31 date 9/14/8/ GPO 938 835 T5110 Old Post Office Lynn, MA Assessor's Map Sheet #21 Block #632 Lot #1 49.95 1852!| 3 10 16. 440 L.C. 9. 7138 2,735 125.43 50.90 60.19 12; 7126 10. 88.94 5557 5365 .500 4164 127-125 108.84 ST. r10 42.27 34 93,725 123 98.69 10,784 633 151.15 U.S. MARINE CORPS ARMORY 17,664 109.75 6. 4833 37.09 IENUE 5925 119 30 574-378 33 28818 3213 6; 3000 - 9. 10 2762 P 3059 41.57 96-94 112:92 LC. 5663 6570 130.17 15 10° 3071 4288 37 1758 4.) 730 33.23 OLYMPIA SQ. 5 100.12 167- 634 3; 32,216 2 8931 93-91 50 WILLOW 87-83 9382 ST.

17,216 B: 5890 15216 15 31 LIBERTY 77.50 5155 6622 3305 9661 10 5235 BARKER, 2; 261922513640 17963 1715 4. 5; 2862 CT. 5103 9741 92.69 48.44 51.05 19 ANDREW 631 ST. . 2 210.01 6: 25,037 15360 236.61 50.05 SHEET 19 1, 4013 6; 3573 5; U.S. 5980 LC. 4372 21L17 LYNN, MASS.- F MAY 1 1 1981 RECEIVED AUG 1 1 1981 NATIONAL REGISTER SEP 14 1981 dnr-la Name of Property State, County United States Department of the Interior De Port National Park Service Buel winly ssu Federal Agency The above nomination is being returned to you because of problems in the areas checked below and/or on the back of this form. Please return this form when the nomination is resubmitted.

Technical Review _Name _Location Classification Category _ Ownership _ Owner of Property _Location of Legal Description - Representation in Existing Surveys _Description Condition _Status - Present Use Original Site/Moved (w/date) - _ Significance Period _ Areas of Significance _ Major Bibliographical References _ Geographical Data Quad Name Quad Scale - Vereai Boundary Description and/or Site Plan or Tax Map - Form Prepared By VCertification KLevel of Significance _SHPO Signature Photographs _ Missing _Not Adequate in Quality Maps _ Specifie Dates _UTM Federal Signature USGS Map _Site Plan/Sketch Map _Historic District Map Comments: Aee Sele nomenatins shaudd he submiteek on srité natinine nomunation _ Substantive Review Problems (see reverse) skloni Byur 6/11/81 Signed ANG 11 181 Substantive Review _ Description _ Incomplete/Inaccurate: _Alterations: _Dates: _ Boundary Selection/Justification: _ Other: _ Significance Too Weak or General: - _ Poorly Related to Resource: -_ Confusing/Incomplete: _ Context: - Integrity: _ Period of Significance Unclear: _Exception(s) to Criteria not Justified: _ Other: Bibliography: _ Geographical Data Acreage: _ VBD: _ Certification: _ Photographs: _ Inadequate Coverage: _ Poorly Labeled/Not Keyed to Map Other: -Maps USGS Sketch - dnr-lb Missing Location of Resource(s) Boundary Lines Discrepancies Other Comments Reviewer tel: (202) 343-6401 Chief, Branch of Registration Date 6-10-81 Name pneot State, County_ Buldera MA Esse Fed Nom or Request-Agency Working Number 5.11.81.153 Federal Register Date LNomination _ Determination of Eligiblity On Nomination Form LBldg(s) Site -Object Structure District 6-25-81 dnr-3 Within: - Mempti esource Area Maps L Photos 1 Nomination prepared by: State Staff Local Other Action: ACCEPT RETURN 6elle81 _REJECT- Check if Appropriate: State Request for Review - Keeper's Decision to Review 2nd Return I.

Evaluation of Resource (cont. on back if necessary) eliaible for liating for Ai c - however this must be returned for technical deficiencied (dee return sheet). Patrick Andus - HistoriAN - 6/4/81 II. Evaluation of Nomination Good Adequate IPoor Comments 1. Descriptive Statement Short Format Yes _No 2. Significance Statement Short Format Yes _ No 3. Concepts/Integrity 4. Concepts/Criteria 5. Concepts/Boundaries 6. Contextual Evaluation General Comments (cont. on back if necessary): Reviewer/Date Patuch Andurs 6/4/81 National Park Service See Attached - U.S.

Department of the Interior Name - Old State, County MH Working Number Nomination _ Determination of Eligiblity On Nomination Form Maps : 1,/ Photos agaye Bevi siulaing DUE 9/25/8/ dnr-3 CAsex Fed Nom or Request-Agency 11.8-33 Federal Register Date_ 2.2.82 Bldg(s) Within: Site Multiple Resource Area - Object - Thematic Group - Structure Distriet - Nomination prepared by: V State Staff Local Other Action: ACCEPT 9/14/81 EREJECT - Check if Appropriate: - State Request for Review - Keeper's Decision to Review 2nd Return - I. Evaluation of Resource (cont. on back if necessary) sigpificant fr citeria Asc -ouginal peoblem has been cleared up accept - Patrick Andrus, 9/1/81 HistoriAN Indntul II. Evaluation of Nomination Good Adequate / Poor Comments 1. Descriptive Statement Short Format Yes _No 2. Significance Statement Short Format Yes _No 3. Concepts/integrity 4. Concepts/Criteria 5.

Concepts/Boundaries 6. Contextual Evaluation General Comments (cont. on back if necessary): Reviewer/Date latrcde Andues National Park Service See Attached _ U.S. Department of the Interior MAY,11 1981 Old Post OfficeBufum Lynn, Mass. essenfounty Brian Pfeiffer 1978 91 Westland Ave., Boston SEP 14 1981 View facing northeast 000E000 ks 020 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWENLTH OF MASSACHUSETIS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State February 20, 1981 Mayor Anthony Marinc Lynn City Hall Lynn, MA. Dear Mayor Marino: The Old Post Office is being considered by the Massachusetts Historical Commission for nomination to the National Register of His- toric Places. The National Register is the nation's official list of important cultural resources.

It includes buildings, districts, sites, structures, and objects which retain their historical character and demonstrate some aspect of our local, state or national history. An explanation of the crieria used to evaluate potential nominations is enclosed. Listing in the National Register places no legal constraints on what an ownermay do with their property when using private funds. The intent of the program is to recognize the value of historic resources and to provide some protection from federally funded, assisted, or licensed undertakings through comment by the Advisory Council on Historic Pres- Additionally, owners of property listed on the National Register become eligible to apply for up to 50% federal matching grants- inaid for approved preservation or rehabilitation projects.

If the property is depreciable under IRS regulations (that is income producing) and is listed in the National Register either individually or as a contributing part of an historic district, there are certain pro- visions of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 that may apply. Section 2124 of that act encourages preservation of depreciable historic structures by allowing favorable federal tax treatment for approved rehabilitations. In addition, it discourages distruction of historic structures by elim- inating tax incentives for their demolition and for new construction on their former site. If the property contains coal resources and is listed in the National Register certain provisions of the Surface Mining and Control Act of 1977 make it less likely that surface mining of the coal will be mitted by the state or federal government.

sare or ederai per- If you wish to comment on the significance of the property and its relationship to the National Register criteria, you may do so either by submitting written connents by March 25, 1981 or by attending the State Review Board meeting on 1981 and presenting your conments in person. A copy of the form, which explains why the property is thought to be important, is available in the local library and town/ city hall. A notification has been sent to the property owner. incerely, Patreidlveuanhi Patricia L. Weslowksi State Historic Preservation Officer PLW/mt encl. xc: local historical commission local newspaper (if district nomination) The meeting will be held at 1:00 P.M.

at the Charlestown Navy Yard ALIL9 RECEIVED AUG 11 NATIONAB/ REGISTER 1191 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWEAINOF MASOACHUCENS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Buston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State February 20, 1981 Col J. H. Greenwood U.S. Marine Corps Hedd Historical Branch Headquarter, Marine Corps. Washington DC 20380 Dear Col. Greenwood: Old Post Office is being considered by the Massachu- setts Historical Commiin Lynifor nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the nation's official list of important cultural resources. It includes buildings, districts, sites, structures, and objects which retain their historical character and demonstrate some aspect of our local, state or national history.

An explanation of the crieria used to evaluate potential nominations is enclosed. Listing in the National Register places no legal constraints on what an owner may do with their property when using private funds. The intent of the program is to recognize the value of historic resources and to provide some protection from federally funded, assisted, or licensed undertakingsthrough commentby the Advisory Council on the National Register becone dfigiblée to bply matching grantsin-aid for approved preservation or rehabilitation projects. If the property is depreciable ie., under IRS regulations (that is income producing) and is listed in the National Register either individually or as a contributing part of an historic district, there are certain provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 that may apply.

Section 2124 of that act encourages preservation of depreciable historic structures by allowing favorable federal tax treatment for approved rehabilitations. In addition, it discourages distruction of historic structures by eliminating tax incentives for their demolition and for new construction on their former site. If the property contains coal resources and is listed in the National Register certain provisions of the Surface Mining and Control Act of 1977 make it less likely that surface mining of the coal will be per- mitted by the state or federal government. If you wish to comment on the significance of the property and its relation- ship to the National Register criteria, you may do so by either submitting written comments by March 25, 1981 orby attendingthe State Review Board meeting on April 8, 1981 and presenting your comnents in person.

A copy of the statement of significance which explains why your property is thought to be important, is enclosed. Sincerely yours, Paircnf livelnude Patricia L. Weslowski State Historic Preservation Officer PLW/mt Encls. The meeting will be held at 1:00 P.M. at the Charlestown Navy Yard ATTa! RITIºILIA RECEIVED AUG 11 1981 NATIONAL REGISTER 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 July 27, 1981 Jerry Rogers 400 G. Street, NW Washington, DC 20243 Dear Mr. Rogers: Enclosed is the revised National Register nomination form for the Old Post Office Building in Lynn. This was originally submitted to your office on May 4, 1981.

It has been retyped on a white state nomination form and a copy of our notification letter to the US Marine Corps has been included. If any additional information is required, please let me know. Sincerely, Canclace Lenkins CandaceJenkin Registration Director Massachusetts Historical Commission CJ/1k RECEIVED AUG 11 1981 NATIONAL REGISTER ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE Date Entered 30SLY1S SEP 14 1981 Name Location 0l4 Zoet Offtce Building Also Notified donorap_e Ldwazd Kennedj onerable Paal Be Teonga Honozable Nteholas Maveoules North Atlantic Region, NPS Seata Iistorte Preservatton Offlcez Mes. Patrieta L, Veslovaks eeutive Dizeetor Meeeschueetza Itatorseel Comteston 294 Waahington Street Boatos, Mageschusette 02108 NR Eady/ce/9-25-81 For further information, please call the National Register at (202) 343-6401. 272-3504