Nomination for Mausert Block

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 1982 date entered APR 11982 historic Mausert Block and/or common same 2. Location street & number 19-27 Park Street NA not for publication city, town Adams NA vicinty of state Massachusetts 3.

Classification Category Ownership - district public * building(s) X private _ structure both _site Public Acquisition - object in process being considered code 025 county congressional district Berkshire First code 003 Status X occupied - unoccupied work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted yes: unrestricted no Present Use - agriculture X _ commercial educational entertainment - government industrial military museum park private residence religious scientific -transportation other: 4. Owner of Property name Gene & Cynthia B. Gambell street & number 52 Notch Road city, town North Adams - vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts 02147 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 title of the Commonwealth has this property been determined elegible? 01220 - yes 4 no date January 1979 _ federal X state - county _ local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state Massachusetts 02108 7. Description ADAMS: Mausert Block, 19-27 Park Street Condition _ excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one _ unaltered X _ altered Check one X original site moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Mausert Block stands on the east side of Park Street between Armory Court (north) and the Hoosac River (south). The building is a 3½ story brick structure with a rectangular floor plan fromwhich one-story wings extend along the west (rear) elevation. Neighboring structures are attached to the Block's end walls (north and south). The 12 bay long building is enclosed by a flat roof. The asymmetrical facade (west elevation) is faced with mottled yellow Roman brick laid up in stretcher bond. Window trimmings are of rock-faced gray marble. The building's first- story storefronts are separated from the upper floors by a continuous pressed metal cornice.

Beneath this cornice, slightly north of center, is the building's main entry which is made up of an arched brick opening behind which is a vestibule with a floor of art tiles, double oak doors, and a four pane transom in which only one original pane of art glass re- mains. South of the main entry is a single, long storefront built in the Moderne/Art Deco style (ca. 1940) for F.W. Woolworth, Co., its present occupant. This storefront rises from a base of polished black granite to plate glass windows trimmed with aluminum; its two entries consist of wooden double doors. Both the company's sign above the storefront and other graphics appear to be part of the storefront's original design. North of the building's main entry is a second, smaller storefront, also added ca. 1940; this section has a base of plastic panels above which is plate glass trimmed with aluminum.

At the extreme north end of the first story is a narrow storefront set beneath a semi-circular arch, which contains a fanlight. This narrow store contains plate glass windows trimmed with copper and a wooden door with a fixed light. The facade's second and third stories have two slightly projecting narrow bays, a central one over the main entry, the other at the facade's north end over the secondary entry. In between the two, the wall surface is divided into two recessed panels by a brick pier, while south of the central bay it is divided into three recessed panels. The piers stop at the third story and the upper ½ story is distinguished by a corbeled course. Each wall panel those of the central bay being wider than other facade windows. All second story windows contain 1/1 sash set in surrounds with rectangular lintels and sills.

All third story win- dows contain 1/1 sash with semi-circular transoms set in surrounds with arched heads. At the roof line is a pressed metal cornice which contains decorated mouldings and acanthus modillions. Alteration to the upper stories consist of the blocking of third story transoms and the cutting of two 6/6 windows at the attic level north of the central bay. Between the central bay's second and third story windows is a gray marble placque bearing the name "Mausert Block." The north elevation is blocked at the first story by an attached, neighboring structure; the second story contains 5 asymmetrically placed windows, each containing 1/1 sash with a gray marble sill and arched head of two rows of headers. The third story contains one off-center window (like those of the second story) flanked by two added 6/6 windows.

The rear (east) elevation is asymmetrical and complex due to extensive alterations. Upper floors originally contained windows (approximately 12 per story) like those of the north elevation's second story. Windows in the southernmost two bays and several bays north of center have now been extensively rebuilt to create fire exits. At the attic level are five unevenly spaced 6 pane lights, one of which has been rebuilt with 1/1 sash. The first story originally contained a one-story extension across its full length. FHR-8-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Item number For HCRS use only received MAR 3 1982 date entered APR 1 1982 Page 2 While this extension and most of the windows (1/1 sash with transom) remain intact north of center.

The extension was enlarged eastward (probably ca. 1940) to accommodate F.W. woolworth Company. This enlargement rests on a concrete foundation and has blank eleva- tions except for its east end which has two loading bays and two sets of paired lights. The south elevation is blocked by a neighboring structure at the first story and partially blocked at the second story. Unblocked portions of the second story contain three windows of 1/1 sash set in brick surrounds with low arched heads. At the third story are three windows which are identical to those of the second story, except for the additions of one rectangular transom, each.

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 Significance-Check and justify below - archeology-prehistoric _ community planning . archeology-historic conservation agriculture economics X architecture education art engineering commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention landscape architecture law literature military - music philosophy politics/government _ religion science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater .transportation - other (specify) Specific dates between 1896 and 1903Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Unknown Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Mausert Block possesses integriy of location, design, materials, and setting as well as historical associations with the main period of commercial development in downtown Adams. Additionally, the Block's three-story height and long facade of Roman brick make it a prominent element in the street's commercial architecture. It thus meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places. Although simple in its overall Renaissance Revival style design, the building preserves its original pressed metal cornices, rock-faced trimmings, and panelled entry with an art-tile floor. In addition to its original details, the Block possesses an Art Deco/ Moderne storefront which was added for the F.W.

Woolworth Company perhpas as early as the 1930s, or 1940s; this storefront preserves virtually all elements of its original design, including double wooden doors, polished black granite window bases and canvas awnings. Characteristic of the several large scale commercial blocks built along Park Street near the turn of the century, the Mausert Block contained storefronts at the first story and offices above. A portion of the second story was occupied by the Adams Telephone Exchange beginning in ca. 1900 while a hall on either either the second or third story served as the local Masonic Hall following the building's completion. Prior to the Block's construction, its site was occupied by several small, wood-frame commercial structures and a house.

Neither the building's two original owners, Conrad Mausert of North Adams or Volker (first name unknown), were active in local affairs except for the construction of this Block. At present the building remains in substantially original condition, and in active commercial use. tin 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Town Atlases of 1894 & 1904; Town Directories after 1889-90 (1897-1902, inclusive, unavailable). 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property .53 acres Quadrangle name Windsor UMT References Quadrangle scale 1:24,000 [1,8 Zone 615,42,3,9 Easting 472,92,7,9 Northing B Zone Easting Northing CLL LILLL LILLL LLLL LILILLL HLLLILULAILLL Verbal boundary description and justification The nominated property includes only the lot on which the Block stands; exact boundaries are described in Berkshire County North Regisry of Deeds, Record Book 684 page 143. 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 March 1981 street & number 294 Washington Street telephone 617-727-8470 790 city or town Boston 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 Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service.

Stato Histortc Proservation Orlicer signature fatuua QWeslowk title Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission date 2/17/82 For HCRS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in y Ulanu9 Register National Register date 4/,182 eeper of the National Register Attest: Chief of Registration date GPO 938 835 SAN 1101 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION / RETURN SHEET United States Department of the Interior National Park Service 82004948 / Property:_ Mausert Blocki State, County: MA, Bertshiré Federal Agency: Working No.- 3/3/82-599 Fed. Reg. Dalf:1-82 Date Due: 4-17-82 Intored Sti Che ACCEPT - 4/1/82 resubmission nomination by person or local government - Natlonal Register - RETURN owner objection photos / - REJECT- appeal maps _ Substantive Review: - sampie - request - appeal - NR decision Reviewer's comments: X Recom.

/ Criteria - Reviewer- Discipline_ Date - see continuation sheet -Nomination returned for: - technical corrections cited below -substantive reasons discussed below 1. Kame 2. Location 3. Catepory Ciassification Ownorship X Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property Siatus Accessible Present Use 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys has thia property been determined erigible? ro - no 7. Description exceier pood tar . detenorated _ ruins . unexposed bock ene - unallered - peribo the prosemt and oripinai (l knewn) physicai - summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundery selection Check one - original site - morec date ance C.

Significance Peried Arome ef Signilicance Chack and hustity bate specific dates Ptatement al Significanoe (in ene paragrapt) Bulider Architect 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 nomineted property Qusdrançie neme - UMT Reterences Vertal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Mistoric Preservation Officer Certification The evsiurtec significance of this property within the state is: _netional _stane - local atate thetonc Preservation Officer signature dete Mele 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 ettached sheet 1. 3. Mausert Block 19-27 Park Street Adams, MA 01220 View: facade (west elevation) taken from a position facing southeast from the west side of Park Street July 1980 Photographer & location of negative MAR Brian Pfeiffer ACT for Massachusetts 45 School Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 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 (Iocal) 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 and chief elected officials were notified of pending Review Board consideration on December 23; 1981. Sincerely, Candace Jenkins Candace Jenkin Registration Director MAR 3 1982 Name ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered APRIL 1, 1982 Location Mausert Block Adams Berkshire County Armory Block Adams Berkshire County Simmons Block Adams Berkshire County Octagon House Westfield Hampden 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