Nomination for Sadler, Herbert A., House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (7-81) OMB NO. 1024-0018 EXP. 10/31/84 United States Department of the Interior National Park 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 NPS use only received SEP 21 1982 date entered historic Herbert A., Sadler House and/or common The Victorian Mansion 2. Location street & number 574 Newport Avenue N/A not for publication city, town Attleboro N/Avicinity of gongreesienat distriet state Massachusetts 3. Classification Category Ownership district public X building(s) X private _ structure both site Public Acquisition _ object N/A - in process being considered code 025 county Bristol code 005 Status X occupied _ unoccupied work in progress Accessible X.

yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted no Present Use - agriculture commercial educational entertainment government industrial military X museum park private residence religious scientific transportation - other: Rest Home 4. Owner of Property name Hans and Jodi Seidl street & number 574 Newport Ave city, town Attleboro N/Avicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Registry of Deeds, Bristol County Superior Court street & number Court Street city, town Taunton state Massachusetts 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic Assets of the title Cormonwealth, # 276 has this property been determined eligible? - yes X no date 1982 - federal X state _ county - _ local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Conmission city, town Boston state Massachusetts 7. Description Attleboro, Herbert A.

Sadler House Condition _ excellent Xgood _fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one X unaltered _- altered Check one X original site _moved date N/A Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Sadler House, a Colonial Revival style structure, is situated in the center of an almost square lot, with a broad expanse of lawn fronting on Newport Avenue. An unpaved driveway runs under a porte cochere on the west side of the house to a one-and-a-half story brick and frame garage (now converted into a residence) in the southwest corner of the property. The two-and-a-half story frame house is three bays wide and two bays deep with a raised basement and a hip roof with deep eaves. The basement walls are concrete blocks cast to simulate rock-faced ashlar ; the roof is covered with square red asbestos tiles laid in a diamond pattern. The main (north) facade has a prominent central bay composed of a colossal portico with paired Ionic columns supporting an elliptical pediment. The portico projects from a shallow pavilion framed by fluted Ionic pilasters.

The first story of the pavilion, the vestibule, has a panelled frieze with applied plaster urns and stained glass windows framed by pilasters. On the second story, a central doorway with a carved sunburst tran- som and sidelights forms a palladiän motif. Above the portico is a large central dormer "The dormer's gable roof projects as a pediment supported by two pairs of Ionic columns. Within the pediment is a decorative plaster shell flanked by rosettes. The dormers on the east and west sides are treated similarly, although their applied ornament has deteriorated. The southern dormer is plain and has a hip roof. Geometric iron cresting on the roof ridge contrasts in its lightness with the internal chimney on the west slope, built of simulated ashlar blocks and terminating in battlements.

The side bays on the main facade have single, 1/1 double hung sash windows on the first story and single doorways with sidelights on .the second story. 1/1 double hung sash windows are used on the other three elevations as well. The 'house has a plain dentil- lated cornice with a bead molding, supported by fluted Ionic pilasters at the four cor- ners of the house. This type of cornice is used on the portico, dormers and piazza as well. The bilateral synmetry of the house is offset somewhat by the broad expanse of the two- tiered piazza which extends from the porte cochere on the west across the main facade and ends in a semi-octagonal bay on the east facade. The upper tier of the piazza is supported by fluted Ionic columns used in pair and separately. The balustrade on the lower tier and on the upper tier under the portico has molded railings and colonnettes.

On the rest of the upper tier the balusters are squared and the posts supporting the balustrade are topped by urns with finials. Alternating with the sections of balustrade are narrow panels con- taining sawn intersecting semi-ellipses. The upper tier projects slightly under the por- tico, supported by a single pair of columns. Surmounting these columns is a wide frieze with decorative garlands. The interior of the house is laid out along a central hall with a threequarter turn stairway. On the east side of the hall is a double parlor divided by a screen of Corinthian columns. A like screen frames the hallway as well. On the west side is the dining room, which has a built-in dumb waiter (no longer in operation) with flanking china closets.

In the western wall is an elaborate window with two double hung sash windows framing a panelled square, all surmounted by a semi-elliptical stained glass transom. Unlike the hallway and the double parlor, which have painted white woodwork and trim, the dining room has dark brown trim with a simulated wood grain. The same dark color is also used in the den at the end of the central hall. This room has a large ornamental firplace with green tiles, a columned wooden mantel and a large mirror over the mantel; it also con- tains a stained glass window in the southern wall and a pressed metal ceiling. (Cont.) NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form OMB No.1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received dale entered Continuation sheet Herbert A.

Sadler House ltem number 7 Page 1 On the east side of the den is the former sewing room, now a bathroom. On the west side is the serving room, which has a separate outside entrance on the southwest corner of the house. The hall and the main rooms on the first sotry have elaborate trim. The hall has a cove molding and, below that, a cornice with egg and dart enrichment as well as a meander. The doorways are framed by fluted pilasters and have broad friezes with applied garlands. This trim is repeated inside the rooms and in the second story hall also. There are hardwood parquet floors and several original electric chandeliers, including one in the dining room and another in the parlor. The stairway has turned spiral balusters and carved side panels; its small landing features a panelled bench and a cast iron columnar lamp on the newel post.

The second and third stories are also laid out along a central hall. On the second are two bedrooms on either side and a bathroom at the south end. This bathroom has been en- larged. The third floor has two rooms on a side and one at either end. The basement con- tains the kitchen, living quarters for the cook, and cellars for the furnace and for storage. The basement has a ground level entrance in the rear and is reached from the first story by a stairway from the lower landing of the main stairs. There have been a number of alterations to the Sadler House, primarily made to adapt it for use as a rest home and to comply with fire regulations. The open well of the stairway has been closed off between the first and second stories. Similarly, the screen between the double parlors has been filled in to create a full partition with a central doorway.

These new partitions have partially obscured the original appearance, but they have not physically altered the historic fabric. There has been one addition, a single story ex- pansion of the second story bathroom, built over the den. Most of the doors on the first and second stories have been replaced with wooden fire doors. On the exterior, the orig- inal weatherboard sheathing has been covered with aluminum siding that preserves the 3" exposed width of the original boards. The white frame fire excape on the eastern end of the piazza is a modern addition.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Attleboro, Herbert A. Sadler House Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 1900 Areas of Significance-Check and justify below -archeology-prehistoric . community planning _ archeology-historic conservation _ agriculture economics X architecture education art engineering commerce exploration/settlement _ communications X industry invention landscape architecture law literature military .music philosophy politics/government _ religion science . sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates 1906 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Samuel Fuller Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Herbert A. Sadler house is a fine example of Colonial Revival style architecture and is one of the most prominent residences in the village of South Attleboro. The two-and- a-half story frame house with its giant portico was built in 1906 by Samuel Fuller of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, for Herbert Sadler, the senior partner of Sadler Brothers, one of the oldest and largest industries in South Attleboro. The building has historical signifi- cance at the local level for both the landmark qualities of its architecture and as a mon- ument to the prosperity of the South Attleboro jewelry industry at the turn of the century. The house retains integrity of design, materials, worknanship, setting and location; it meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places.

Herbert Austin Sadler, the eldest son of George W. and Melissa Sadler, was born on Novem- ber 11, 1860, in Mansfield, Massachusetts. In 1863, George Sadler moved with his family to the village of South Attleboro, where he established a small shop on Newport Avenue for the production of jewelry, with Daniel Stanley, then with his brother, Albert Sadler, and finally as the sole proprieter of George W. Sadler and Company, proved to be a successful pioneer in the jewelry business. In 1883, he was one of the leading manufacturers in South Attleboro, employing fifteen hands in the production of gold-plated bracelets. Upon his father's death in 1884, Herbert Sadler assuned control of the enterprise; he was shortly joined in partnership by his brother, Charles.

The third brother, Thomas, who had been apprenticed under Herbert in the family business, replaced Charles after the latter's death in 1889, and remained Herbert's partner for over thirty years. In 1926 Thomas became the full owner of Sadler Brothers, Inc., after buying Herbert's inter- est in the firm. In the forty-two years that Herbert Sadler directed Sadler Brothers, their production shifted from gold-plated jewwlry to metal and celluloid novelties for the jewelry, mil- linery and dress trades. The firm's success in these lines enabled an expansion of the plant in the 1890's; in 1915 an entirely new factory was built. The construction of the Herbert Sadler house across the street from the factory was another indication of Sadler's prosperity.

The house, which remains one of the most prominent pieces of architecture in South Attleboro, served as an impressive as well as convenient place for receiving and entertaining the firm's clientele. Herbert Sadler retired from the family business in 1926 and continued to reside in the house on Newport Avenue until his death in 1931. His widow and then his daughter lived there until 1953, when the house was sold and converted into a nursing home. It is pre- sently maintained as a private rest home. Sadler Brothers, Inc. is still in operation and is the oldest family business carrying on in its original location in the town of South Attleboro.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Hurd, D. Hamilton, ed. History of Bristol County, Massachusetts. (Phila., J. W. Lewis & Co., 1883) p.565. Stone, Orra. History of Massachusetts Industries. (Boston, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1930) vol. 4, pp. 18-19 (cont'a) (See attached sheet) 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 1 acre Quadrangle name Attleboro, Ma. Quadrangle scale_1:24,000 UMT References A |19/ |3|04|770| Zone Easting 1416/43/61010 Northing LLLu Zone Easting Northing D E F G HLU LaLadLiLILu Verbal boundary description and justification The historic boundaries of the Herbert Sadler house are coterminus with the legal boundaries of Lot 26A, as shown on the City of Attleboro assessor's Plat 65; 1981' (see attached map).

The Sadler houselot (cont'd) List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state N/A code county code state code county 11. Form Prepared By Wendy Frontiero, Preservation Planner with name/title Richard E. Greenwood, Historic Preservation Consultant code organization Massachusetts Historical Conmission date June 30, 1982 street & number 294 Washington Street telephone (617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state Massachusetts 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national - _ state local As the designated State Histöric 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 Valeue A lalmage title Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Conmission date Suptember 13,082 For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register delou Entered in the date 10/21/82 furkentar of tho Mational Hegistod en National Register Attest: date Chief of Registration NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form OMB No.1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received date entered Continuation sheet Herbert A. Sadler House Item number , 9,10 1 Page Item 9 (cont'd) Staff of the Fall River News and Taunton Gazette. A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts. (Boston History Co., Publishers, 1899) Pp. 159, 182, 193.

Article on the Sadler House in the Attleboro_Sun, 8/21/1953, in the Historic Houses Vertical File, Attleboro Public Library. Personal Conmunications from Thomas Sadler, Mrs. Beulah Clark and Mr. Kenneth McNeill, May, June and July, 1981. Item 10 (cont'd) Originally included Lot 26 as well as 26A. When the Seidls purchased the property and converted the garage into a residence, the one lot was divided into two. The garage has lost much of its historical integrity and there are no other features of historical significance on the remainder of lot 26. With the exception of a fence around the former garage, there is no apparent division between the two lots. ATTLEBOROUGH, MASS. Sadler House 574 Newport Avenue 2SS - 64 49 - 9° 74.3 Rte. 123 11.! 24 163.

24B AVENUE 2 5 168.2 11,906 172 115 12203 NEWPORT 101.17 11,580 69.2 30 12.3 9752 8 18,277 270 65 26A 92.26 23 5850 50 9025 S0.62 153.67 175.62 26 65 18,688 28,885 178.26 200° 48 CIECLE 27 54,175 45.07 City of Attleloro PLAT NO SCALE I"= 80' 65 300 . DATE OF PHOTOGRAPHY: 4-27-64 Revised 198) DATE OF MAP:_1-I-65 35.5 15° 24 A 18 AC 136 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES United States Department of the Interior National Park Service EVALUATION / RETURN SHEET Sadler, Herbert A., House Bristol County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: Working No. 9/21/82-24173 Fed. Reg. Date 2./. 8. 3 Date Due:_ 10/21182-15 Action: ACCEPT_ 10/21/82 Eatespd in the - RETURN_ Natlonal Register_ REJECT_ Federal Agency: - sample - request - appeal - NR decision -Nomination returned for: Recom.

/Criteria - Reviewer_ Discipline- Date see continuation sheet - technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Catogory Classification Dwnership Public Aceulaition Owner of Property Btatus Prosent Use 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys hes this property been determined eligible? - y*s - no 7. Description Conditien - excellent good fair _ deteriorated -ruins unexposed Check one unaltered altered t and erginel (il knewn) phyeical a summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Check one ortiediidnte- moved 8.

Significance Perled Arsas of S1 pecific detes Statement of Significanoe (in ene paregrep Mcance Check and justity bale Bullder Arehiteet summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Aoreage of nominsted property - Quedrangle neme UMT References Verbel boundery descriptien and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of thie property within the state is: nationa! -- etate - local Dtate Historic Preeervation Ofticer signature date 13. Other Maps _Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to _ Signed.

- Date - Phone: 202 272-3504 Comments for any Item may be continued on an attached sheet Herbert Sadler House, Attleboro, Bristol Cty. , Mass. Photo by Richard Greenwood, June, 1981. Negative on file at the Sadler House. North (front) and west facades. Photo 1 of 2 Herbert Sadler House- Attleboro, Bristol Cty., Mass.. Owned by Hans & Jodi Seidl. Photo by Richard Green- wood, June, 1981. Negative on file at the Sadler House. Interior detail: Newel post, lamp and bench at the first floor landing of the central stairway. Photo 2of2 owner yes RECEIV: IO TAN MANDION AUG 1 O 1982 MASS. HIST. COMM.- 574 NEWPORT AVENUE SOUTH ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS 02703 TELEPHONE (617) 761-5115 August ó, 1982 Patricia L. Weslowsk1, Executive Director Massachusettes Historial Commission 294 Washington Stfeet Boston, Mass. 02108 RE: Herbert A.Sadler House Attleboro Dear Ms.

Weslowski: to the owners of the Victorian Mansion, are pleased be informed that the Herbert A. Sadler House ás being considered by the Sgate Review Board for nom- ination to the National Register of Historical Places. We concur in listing in accord with the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1980 and Federal regulations 36 CFR Part 60. We certainly do support the nomination of this property to the National Register. Please send us a copy of the nomination. Thank you. Sincerely yours, thi Seidl Hans & Joni Seidl V'ou Sad 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 14, 1982 Ms. Carol Shull, Chief National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of the Interior Washington, D.C.

20243 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Attleboro: -Herbert A. Sadler House (Local) Boston: 10 Liberty Square Building (local) Boston: Wigglesworth Building (local) Falmouth: Wood's Hole School (local) Milford: Gillon Block (local) All have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Owners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nomination forms. Sincerely, Candace Jenkins Candace Jenkins Registration Director Massachusetts Historical Commission CJ/sac enclosure RECEIVED SEP 21 1982 NATIONAL REGISTER ITTE -10