Nomination for Berkshie Mill No. 1

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 MAR 3 1982 date entered APR 1 1982 O. historic Berkshire Mill and/or common same 2. Location Hoosac Street (northeast comner of Columbia Street) street & number Adams NA -not for publication ST city, town Massachusetts state 3. Classification Category Ownership _ district - public X building(s) X private _ structure _both site Public Acquisition object - in process being considered code NA vicinity of 025 congressional district county Berkshire code 003 Status X occupied -unoccupied _ work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted - no Present Use - agriculture .

commercial educational entertainment government X industrial - military museum park private residence religious _scientific - transportation _ other: 4. Owner of Property name Arnold Print Works Boiler House: Alfred & Helen Ostrowski street & number Columbia Street 5 Elm Street city, town Adams N/A vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description Adams state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Berkshire County North Registry of Deeds street & number 65 Park Street city, town Adams state Massachusetts 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic Assets #655 title of the Conmonwealth has this property been determined elegible? 6/8l yes _ no date January 1979 -federal X _state - county - - local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Conmission, 294 Washington Street city, town Boston state Massachusetts 7.

Description ADAMS: Berkshire Mil1 #1, Hoosac Street Condition _ excellent X good fair _ deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one X unaltered _ altered Check one X original site - moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The former Berkshire Cotton Mill #l occupies a site at the junction of Columbia and Hoosac Streets, at the northeast comer of McKinley Square. The Mill's lot is bounded on the south by Hoosac Street, on the west by Columbia Street, on the north by a parking lot (formerly the site of Berkshire Mill #2) and on the east by the former Pittsfield and North Adams Railroad bed. Berkshire Mill #fl consists of a main mill building, three and one-halt stories high and several one and two-story fomer engine and boiler houses attached to the main mill's northeast corner. The main mill building has a rectangular plan and rises three and one-half stories from a high basement to a very low-pitched roof. The entire structure is built of conmon, red brick set on a plinth of rock-faced granite and is trimmed with rock-faced granite.

Except as noted, the building's elevations are divided by brick piers into bays of equal size. At each story each bay contains a single window opening with a granite varies by story. mounted by paired 6-pane transoms; second and third story windows contain paired 15- pane lights surmounted by paired 6-pane transoms. Other details which are consistent throughout are the exposed roof-rafter ends which exist at the head of each pier. The facade (south elevation is slightly asymmetrical, having 12 bays west of projecting square-plan tower and 13 bays east of it. Except for the basement windows of the eastermost three bays, which are smaller than usual due to a change in groud level, all facade bays are identical. The tower is approximately two bays width and rises four and one-half stories to an open landing surmounted by a high hip roof.

The tower's three elevations (east, west and south) each contain three piers which rise to arched heads at the third story and divide each elevation into a wide central bay flanked by two narrow outer bays. The central bay of the south elevation contains an arched entry set in between the first story and the basement, a granite date placque bearing the numerals "1889" above the entry, a 20 pane light with a 10-pane transom at the second story and a 25 pane light with a 10-pane transom at the third story. tower's east elevation is blank; its west elevation contains a door with an 8-pane transom (basement), a 24-pane light with an 8-pane transom at the first story, and one 20-pane light with an 8-panetransom at both the second and third stories.

tower's fourth-story landing is exposed on all sides and has four elevations, each containing four arched openings connected by a granite sill course and by a granite course at the arches' springers. Above the arches is a corbelled comice. The main mill's west elevation is nine bays wide and has an iron fire escape rising in front of the fourth and fifth bays from the south. The main mill's rear (north) elevation is partially blocked at the basement and first two stories of its east end where it is connected to former boiler house, engine houses, and a five-bay truck loading platform. In overall disposition, this elevation consists of 12 bays west of and 14 bays east of a slightly projecting plumbing stack which con- tains paired 4-pane lights at each story of its north face.

Inmediately west of this stack 1s a heavily altered bay which was formerly connected at several levels to Berk- shire Mill #2 by metal bridges. FHR-B-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet For HCRS use only received date entered APR 1 1982 Page 1 item number 7 A e the e o% tre facade i te north of the Except for the replacement of the main mill's front door and the temporary blocking of some windows; the main building of Berkshire Mill #1 remains in original condition. At the main mill's northeast corner are five attached structures all of which were built prior to 1914 as engine and boiler houses.

All of these structures are of red brick construction, with low-pitched roofs, irregular plans and asymmetrical fenestration which has been heavily altered. Rising from the rear of these structures are two circular plan smokestacks, one built of red brick, the other of yellow terracotta tiles.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Period - prehistoric .1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 X 1800-1899 _ 1900 Areas of Significance-Check and justify below _ archeology-prehistoric _ community planning archeology-historic _ conservation - agriculture _ economics 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 1889; boiler room Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect F.P. Sheldon & Son Statement of Signiticance (In one paragraph) The former Berkshire Cotton Mill #1 possesses integrity of location, design, materials and workmanship. In addition, the Mill possesses historical associations with the rapid growth of Adams following the successful introduction of fine cotton manufacturing by the Berkshire Cotton Manufacturing Company in the late 1880s. Thus the mill meets criterion B of the NRHP. Incorporated in 1888, the Berkshire Cotton Manufacturing Company was one of several cotton manufacturing firms established by the Plunkett Family. The first of these firms was established by William B. Plunkett in 1831 when he purchased the stock of the Adams South Village Cotton and Wool Manufacturing Company. business was accomodated by additions to this Conmercial Street mill until 1878 when the firm of W.B.

Plunkett & Sons was formed to produce cotton warp and factory space was rented in the Adams Paper Company's Mill which stood on the site of Berkshire Mill #l until it was destroyed by fire in 1886. Following the fire, the sons of William B. Plunkett, formed the Berkshire Cotton Manufacturing Company, Adams Paper Company Mill and began construction on Berkshire Mill #1 with the intentior of producing "fine counts of carded cottons" in contrast to the sheetings, ginghams, coarse grades of cotton, and cotton warp which had previously served as the major output of local mills. The emphasis on finer goods was brought about by the declining markets for the coarser goods and was later encouraged by protective trade tariffs promoted by William McKinley, a Plunkett family friend.

The immediate success of the company led to an increase of capital to $950,000 and the construction of Mill #2 behind Mill #1 in 1891. The effect of the new mill was to double production capacity from 35,000 spindles and 700 looms to a total of 76,000 spindles and 1,600 looms. Based on the prospect that a Congress favorable to protective tariffs would be elected in 1896, the firm increased its capital to $1,500,000 and again, doubled îts plant by the construction of Mill #3 on the south side of Hoosac Street, opposite Mill #l. The company's last major expansion in the Hoosac Street area occurred in 1900 when Mill #4 was built on the south side of Hoosac Street, east of Mill #3. Upon completion Mill #4 contained a spinning mill of 103,000 spindles and a weaving shed with 2,600 looms.

The firm contined to grow until the 1920s; however much of the expansion focused on the purchase of existing mills in other towns. In the course of its Il years of growth (1889-1900), the Berkshire Cotton Manufacturing Company became Adams's largest industry, employing 2,000 of the town's 4,000 workers and accounting for $2,500, 000 of the total capital of $6,945,410 invested in loca] industries by 1905. The company continued in active operation under Plunkett Family management until the late 1920s, after which it was re-organized as the Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates, Inc. which continued manufacturing in the Hoosac Street mills until the late 1950s.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Sanborn Insurance Atlas of Adams, Mass. 1914 wit updates to ca. 1950 Stone, Orra History of Massachusetts Industries. Boston: S.J. Clark Publishing Co., 1930. Vol. I, Pp. 88-89. 10. Geographical Data .830 Acreage of nominated property - Quadrangle name - Windsor UMT References UTM NOT VERIFIED ACREAGE NOT V Quadrangle scale 1:24000 A L18/ 6/5.14/21610 Zone Easting CLL E Latadaad Northing B Zone Easting Northing D LILL LLILLL LILu LLIL G ILuLLILI Verbal boundary description and justification The nominated property includes only the land and buildings described in Berkshire County North Land Court Docket #2969, certified #951, shown on Sheet 1 of Plan 32584A, dated April 27 and Sept. 17, 1963 3 (copy attached) List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state NA code county code state code county code 11.

Form Prepared By name/title Candace Jenkins, Registration Director with Brian Pfeiffer, ACT for Massachusetts organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date February 1981 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 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 Pateuu RWeslonnhi title Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission For HCRS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register deeloue Fadling Keeper of the National Register yur / Entered in tha Mational Register Attest: Chief of Registration date 2/17/82 date 7/1/82 date GPO 938 835 FHR-B-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 receivedMAR 3 1982 date entere APR 1 1982 Continuation sheet item number 8 Page 1 By the early 1960s, the mills had been sold separately. Declining demand for industrial spaces led to the demolition of Mills #2 and 3, leaving Mill #1 as it originally stood in 1889 and leaving Mill #4 as a separate complex.

In its present condition, Mill #1 remains in nearly original condition, preserving the scale and utilitarian design which was characteristic of local industrial architecture of the late nineteenth century. building's entry tower, which contains the mill's only architectural omament remains intact with its arched wall panels, corbelled comices, date placque and high hip roof. In addition, the building's prominent corner site, abutting railroad tracks and basement- level light well preserve much of the mill's original site plan. Sdy: 194. NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION / RETURN SHEET Property: Serkshire mill no State, County: MA, Berkshure Federal Agency: United States Department of the Interior National Park Service 82004946 Working No. Fed. Reg.

Date; 3/3/82-60/ Date Due: 4/115 1,83 4/17/82 Action: ACCEPT- resubmission Entered in the - RETURN_ 4/1182 nomination by person or local government National Register owner objection photos/ - REJECT_ appeal maps 4,2 Substantive Review: - sample - request - appeal - NR decision Reviewer's comments: Recom. / Criteria Reviewer Discipline_ Date - see . continuation sheet -Nomination returned for: - technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Kame 2. Location >3. Ciassification Cetapory Ownership YPublic Aceuisition 4. Owner of Property Slatus Accessibte Tesent Use 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys hes the property been determined eligible? - o 7.

Description mottien - excaliem pood - detenorated ruins unexposed Check ane _ unailered _ahered Check one -original site - moved dare - bertbe the procert and ertpinal (i lnown) pirysical appoarence summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection C. Significance Perted Aroes ef StgnificanceCheck and Justity bete pocific dates Ptatement el Significance (in eno paragrapio) Bulider Architee 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. Ceographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quedrançie neme UlT Raterences Versel boundary doscription and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The eraiuatec signiticance of thit property withmn the state is: - netional - stae Paate mstonc Pre eervation Orticer signture certe 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to. Signed Date- Phone: 202 272-3504 Comments for anyitemmay be continued on an ettached sheet Berkshire Mill #1 Hoosac Street corner Columbia Street Adams, Massachusetts MAR 3 1982 James J. Leitch January 1979 Adams Historical Commission, Town Hall Adams, Massachusetts 01220 Photograph #1 of 1 (left to right) west and south elevations of Berkshire Mill #1 taken from a position facing northeast PLAN OF LAND IN ADAMS Hunry C. Neff Associates, Inc., Surveyors Apr11 27, 1963 Pittstield aina wha 6619 North Adoms 325844 Sheet 1 Sob K charosn. Bórler house Ca1889 Railrood 5049 compen STREET Stores Inc Notion0l WAY (3.00 mide!

LUMBIA "$566 TIdoS HOOSAC Mo. Puolic. 6600 w.de) DEPOT ST. STREET MAR 3 1982 Copy o edriof alan LAND REGISTRATION OFFICE -SEPT. 117 1963 Scale of this plan 50 feet to an inch C.M. Anderson, Engineer for Court Ven 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 February 17, 1982 Ms. Carol Shull Acting Keeper National Register Division National Park Service U.S. Dept. of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Ms.

Shull: Enclosed you will find the following National Register nomination forms: Adams: Armory Block (local) Adams: Barrett Block (local) Adams: Berkshire Mill #1 (local - DOE 6/81) Adams: Jones Block (local) Adams: Mausert Block (local) Adams: Pittsfield & North Adams Passenger Station and Baggage and Express House (local) Adams: Simmons Block (local) Lawrence: American Woolen Mill Housing District (local) Melrose: Town Center Historic District (local) Milton: Belcher-Rowe House (local) Needham: Davis-Mills Hoase (local) Needham: Joshua Lewis House (local) Needham: Townsend House (local) Peabody: Nathaniel Felton Houses (local) Stockbridge: Glendale Power Station (local) Stockbridge: Wheatleigh (state) Webster: Main Street Historic District (local-DOE) Westfield: Octagon House (local) Weymouth: Old South Union Church (local) All were voted eligible by the State Review Board at their meeting on 2/10/82 and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer.

Comments by owners and other interested parties are attached. Owners artiee are atached. onaner. and chief elected officials were notified of pending Review Board consideration on December 23; 1981. Sincerely, Candace Je Candace fenkins Registration Director Name ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered APRIL 1, 1982 Location Barrett, P. J., Block Adams Berkshire County Berkshire Mill No. 1 Adams Berkshire County Jones Block Adams Berkshire County Pittsfield and North Adams Passenger Station and Baggage & Express House Adams Berkshire County Notified Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honorable Paul E. Isongas Honorable Silvio O. Conte Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, NPS North Atlantic Regional Office, NPS State Historic Preservation Officer Mrs. Patricia L.

Weslowski Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 For further information, please call the National Register at (202) 272-3504