Nomination for Lafayette-Durfee House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Renot1ficat1on/80 Amendmentg 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 historic Lafayette-Durfee House and/or common Lafayette-Durfee House 2. Location street & number 94 Cherry Street Fall River NA vicinity of For HCRS use only received DEC 1 1 1980 date entered APR 1 5 1982 NA not for publication 10th city, town Massachusetts state 3.

Classification Category Ownership _ district public _building(s) *private structure site _ both Public Acquisition object NA in process being considered 025 code county congressional district Bristol code 005 Status *occupied -unoccupied Accessi in progress _ yes: restricted * yes: unrestricted no Present Use agriculture commercial educational entertainment government industrial military * museum -park - private residence religious - scientific transportation - other: 4. Owner of Property name Lafayette-Durfee Historical Foundation, Inc. street & number Box 63 city, town Fall River NA vicinity of stateMassachusetts 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Registry of Deeds street & number 441 North Main Street Fall River city, town state Massachusetts 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic Assets of the title Commonwealth has this property been determined elegible? - yes ** no date 1973 & 1978 federal * state county local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston stateMassachusetts 7. Description Condition * excellent - good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one unaltered _ altered restored Check one original site _ moved date 1876 Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Lafayette-Durfee House at 94 Cherry Street in Fall River's waterfront area is thought to have been built ca. 1747 by Thomas Durfee III. Georgian decorative detailing on the exterior of the house lends credence to this date during the Second Period (1725-1175) of colonial architecture. The interior was apparently altered, however, to the Federal style sometime late in the 18th or early in the 19th century. The house has been moved twice, in 1837 and 1876. It originally stood on the east side of the highway (later Main Street) that ran from Newport, R.I., to Boston, near the present site of the Superior Court House on North Main Street. When this street required widening in 1837, the Lafayette-Durfee House was moved to the west side ot it, becoming No. 116 Main Street.

In 1874 the house was sold (apparently separately from its lot) and within the following year a brick residence was constructed by its former owner on the 116 Main Street site. This necessitated the removal of the Lafayette-Durfee house by its new owner to its present location, originally numbered 14 Cherry Street, but renumbered 94 in 1896. The Lafayette-Durfee House is of frame construction, two stories plus an attic in height, and has a pitched roof, ridge parallel to the street. Its central chimney has been temporarily dismantled during the restoration of the building. The house's five-bay Cherry Street facade has a center entrance. Decorative detailing is limited to narrow corner boards; sill boards; simple Georgian window caps; and a Georgian door surround consisting of fluted pilasters supporting a simple cornice, below which is a narrow transom with nine rectilinear lights.

The door itself is not original. Characteristic of the period is the fact that the second floor window caps meet the simple wooden cornice. The house rests on a stone foundation which no doubt dates to 1876 when the house was moved to this site. A two storey frame addition, two bays in width and having a pitched roof, extends from the back of the Lafayette-Durfee House, giving it an overall L-shape. This addition, like the main part of the house, is clapboard sheathed and rests on a stone foundation built to accomodate the slope of the lot. The Lafayette-Durfee House is presently being restored under the direction of the Lafayette-Durfee Historical Foundation which purchased the property in 1973. On the interior of the house, Federal style detailing includes simple wooden fireplace surrounds with mantels, chair rails, and wainscotting.

Boxed beams (as in the "Keeping dveil1inand boxed corner posts are, however, characteristically found in Second Period United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet 43 Item number 7 listed sepcrately NR 1982 For HCRS use onlytt? receivedsya rdate entered 56 Page NAME: LOCATION: OWNER: DESCRIPTION: DATE: SIGNIFICANCE: Lafayette-Durfee House 94 Cherry Street Fall River, Mass. Lafayette-Durfee Historic Foundation, Inc. Box 63 Fall River, Mass. See 'B' Form - attached and Individual National Register Nomination c.1747 See 'B' Form Sndividual Nat onal cRegister Nomination Less than one acre; 4,957 sq. ft. Assessor's Plat 0-13, Lot 60 ACREAGE: VBD: UTM: Fall River: 19/ 320495/ 4620160 8.

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 . archeology-historic agriculture architecture art commerce communications engineering exploration/settlement * industry invention landscape architecture * - religion law science .literature *military sclature music humanitarian -philosophy * theater - politics/government transportation *other (specify) Marquis de Lafayette visits Builder/Architect -- NA Specific dates 1747 Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) Fall River citizen who continued to live in it until his death in 1796. long a member of the General Court of Massachusetts in both the House and Senate, and was for six years a member of the Governor's Council. Thomas Durfee's eldest son, Col. Joseph Durfee (1750-1841), became known for his command in May 1778 of a small group of patriots who defended the village against about 150 British troops. This Revolutionary War skirmish is known and celebrated as the "Battle of Fall River". Joseph's friendship, moreover, with the Marquis de Lafayette occasioned the latter's stays at the Durfee house when he travelled between Newport and Boston. The house thus acquired its present name. Joseph Durfee and the French military leader not only had the Revolution in common, but also the fact that the Durfee (originally d'Orfé) family had come from France.

When the Marquis returned to France, he sent Mrs. Durfee two greyhounds in appreciation of her hospitality. Joseph Durfee later started Fall River's first cotton mill and was a founder of the First Congregational Church. In 1836 Thomas Durfee IV, Joseph's youngest brother, finally sold the Lafayette-Durfee house out of the family. Today one of the founding members of the Lafayette-Durfee Historical Foundation, owner of the house since 1973, is a member of the Durfee family.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Books: 1862 History of Fall River,by Rev. Orin Fowler, pages 30, 46 1877 Centennial History of Fall River, by Henry H. Earl, page 10 1877 Fall River and its Industries, by Frederick Peck & Henry H. Earl, page 198 1906 History of Fall River, by Henry M. Fenner, pages 16, 20, 112 AUKLAGI 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Eighteen and 21/100 square rods Quadrangle name fall River, Mass.-R.I. UMT References * L112/ 13|210/51210/ Zone Easting 416/119/1160/ Northing UIM ERIFIED Quadrangle scale 1:24,000 D LL LILLLILILLLI Easting Northing LLLu EL F LLL Verbal boundary description and justification Please refer to the attached deed description which is recorded with the Fall River Registry of Deeds in Book 1083, Page 133.

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 Anne Booth, Consultant, with Florence C. Brigham, Secretary organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date August 1980 street & number 204 Washington Street telephone 617-727-8470 state Massachusetts city or town Boston 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 ccording to the criteria and procedures set forth by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service State Historic Preservation Officer signature Patuo Llveslrsk 11/19/80 title Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission For HCRS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register cered in the National Registor date 4/15/82 Keeper of the National Register Attest: Chief of Registration date GP O 938 835 FHR-8-300A (11/78) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTOR Y -- NOMINATION FORM FOR HCRS USE ONLY RECEIVED DEC 1 11980 DATE ENTERED CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 9 PAGE 1 1911 Cotton Centennial History of Fall River, by Henry M.

Fenner, pages 14-17, 52 1941 History of Fall River, by Arthur S. Phillips, page 19 Genealogy: Descendants of Thomas Durfee NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION / RETURN SHEET Property: Lafayette-Surfee House State, County: Bristol Federal Agency: - - resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: 82004259 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Working No. 12.1/.80/2966 Fed. Reg. Date:_2y/.83 Date Due:- 5/2/82 Action: ACCEPT_ 4/15/82 Entered in tha RETURN National Regigtet REJECT_ photos maps - - sample - request - appeal - NR decision Recom. /Criteria Reviewer Discipline Date - see continuation sheet -Nomination returned for: - technical corrections cited below -substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3.

Classification Catogory Ownorship Public Acquisitien Matus Accessibie 4. Owner of Property Present Use 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys has thle property been determined eligible - 1o0 -nc 7. Description excellemt good tair deteriorated ruins unexposed ock ene - Unaeroo _ aitered Chock one original site moved date rosent and eriginel (il known) physical appoarance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 8. Significance Perted peelfe dates lroes ef Signilicence -Chook and jatlly baler Bulldor/ Arehltoot mont of signifleanee (in ene peregraph) summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of excepticn other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10.

Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quedrangle name UMT References Verbel boundery descriptien and justhticatten 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The eveluated eignificance of this property within the state is: netional -Btate local Aate Historic Preservation Officer eigneture derte 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 Lafayuto-Aenfue Horse at 94 Chu Fall Ruri Front Vieu, Y Fall River, MA Lafayette-Durfee House Bristol Co. Linda Stanley, 1979 Negative at SRPEDD, Marion, MA 02738 Front view; house faces south DEC 1 1 1980 15 Fall River, MA Lafayette-Durfee House Bristol cô.

Linda Stanley, 1979 Negative at SRPEDD, Marion, MA 02738 Rear view, showing ell; north side of house DEC 1 1 1980 7/5 Lapayetto-dler Read Viiw shoon Fall River, MA Lafayette-Durfee House Bristol Co Linda Stanley, 1979 Negative at SRPEDD, Marion, MA 02738 Restored Parlor; southwestroom DEC 1 1 1980 Lapayido dupleo Hon 94 Chmy Streo Paco Raveo. N Palor - Sai Fall River, MA Lafayette-Durfee House Bristal Co. Linda Stanley, 1979 Negative at SRPEDD, Marion, MA 02738 Restored Dining Room; southeast room DEC 1 1 1980 Lapayuto-dunp 94 chuy Saw D sinwig-wton Fall River, MA Lafayette-Durfee House Brstol co. Linda Stanley, 1979 Negative at SRPEDD, Marion, MA 02738 Restored Keeping Room; north room DEC 1 1 1980 Zapaycao-duk 94 Chuy R Kupanig Riim - FalRive VRA. Ma Lafa ete-DerFee tul 94 CHERRY ST.

WC XXVI #19 Lafayette-Durfee House 94 Cherry Street Fall River, MA The owner was originally notified of MHC's intent to nominate on 9/5/80 responded in favor. The State Review Board considered the nomination on 10/8/80, and voted unanimously in favor. Theurned t0 OnC on 2/J3/8ted to the National Register on 11/ 18/80; It was Ewnership was verified on 11/23/81, and the owner was renotified of MHC's intent to nominate on 12/14/81. They responded in favor on 12/21/81. ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered APRIL 15, 1982 Name Lafayette-Durfee House Port Royal House Harlow, Sgt. William, Family Homestead Location Fall River Bristol County Chatham Barnstable County Plymouth Plymouth County Notified Honorable Margaret M. Heckler Honorable Gerry E. Studds Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honorable Paul E.

Tsongas Mid-Atlantic Regional Office North Atlantic Regional Office 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 PACE 468 I, CAROLINE E. DURFEE MASSACHUSETTS WARRANTY DEED INDIVIDUAL (LONG FORM) 872 of Fall River Bristol County, Massachusetts being unmarried, for consideration paid, snd iox fulk xonsideresion ek grants to LAFAYETTE DURFEE HISTORICAL FOUNDATION, INC., a charitable * corporation organized.

under the Laws of the Commonwealth of ofx Massachusetts, with the principal :office of the corporation at 240 Florence Street, Fall River, Massachusetts, obue kamd xix with warranty covenants (Description and encumbrances, if any) A certain lot or parcel of land, with the buildings thereon situate in Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts, on the northerly side of Cherry Street and bounded and described as follows: Beginning at the southeast corner of said lot in the line of the northerly side of Cherry Street and running thence Westerly by said Cherry Street Fifty and Fifty-nine One-hundredths (50.59) feet to land now or formerly of Mabel G. Blackway, for a corner; thence running northerly by said last named land Ninety-eight (98) feet to land supposed to belong now or formerly to Jerome B.

Westgate; thence running easterly by said last named land Fifty and Fifty-nine One-hundredths (50.59) feet to land now or formerly of one Pierce; thence running southerly by said last named land Ninety-eight (98) feet to the point of beginning, containing about Eighteen and Iwenty-one One-hundredths (18.21) square rods, more or less. Being the same premises conveyed to me by deed of Edna M. Reseigh, et al, dated August 29, 1973 and recorded with the Fall River District Registry of Deeds, Book 1083, Page 133. There is no monetary consideration for this transfer, which is intended as a gift from the grantor to the grantee. DEC 1 1 1980 BOOK 1092 PAGE 469 Witness..my....hand and seal this..... 31st day of... December Caslene iDufee .1973 Bristol Ühe Commmunralth of Massarhuartts SS. Fall River December 31, Then personally appeared the above named CAROLINE E.

DURFEE 19 73 and acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be her Rint 4. Baglige Notary Public - Jystise My commission expires..... Nov, 21, 079 Recd DEC 3 1 1973 AT 12- 43 PMAND RECORDED A true copy of instrument as recorded in Bristol County Fall River District Registry of Deeds in Book 1092 Page 5 468,469 Jouph Ethaiß fom #10 Verbal Boundong Desenptron Lafayett-Durfee House Fau River MA vinuo? lotain8 ni bebiooen an tnemunteni to yqoo sunt A S{O1 X008 ni abesd to tointzid loa Jarry s spult NR 1982 FORM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston lusted seperetely Inl Area no. rorm no. 56 4713180 2. Photo (3x3" or 3x5") Staple to left side of form Photo number WC. XXVL-19 - - 4. Map. Draw sketch of building location in relation to nearest cross streets and other buildings. Indicate north. , 1.

Town Fall River, Mass- Address 94 Cherry Street Name Lafayette-Durfee House Present use House museum-under restoration Present owner Lafayette-Durfee Historic Foundation 3. Description: 2½ story w/flanking gable Date c. 1747 SourceFRHS Style Georgian Architect Exterior wail fabric _alapboard... Outbuildings (describe)__ Other features _5 bays; plastered deorway; cornice &narrow transom. Date 1837 Date 1876 DANFORTH ST. 94 under Altered restoration Moved yes; twice. 5. Lot size:4957 sg. ft. One acre or less Over one acre Approximate frontage Approximate distance of building from street CHERRY ST. 6. Recorded by Ihomas Dolan Organization FROHP Date December 10, 1980 (over) 7. Original owner (if known) Thomas Durfee III Original use residence Subsequent uses (if any) and datesBoarding House, house museum (1973) 8.

Themes (check as many as applicable) Aboriginal Agricultural Architectural The Arts Commerce Communication Community development Conservation Education Exploration/ settlement Industry Military Political Recreation Religion Science/ invention Social/ humanitarian Transportation 9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above) An important early (c. 1747) farmhouse thought to have been built by Thomas Durfee III (oné of John Hancock's pall-bearers, and a prominant figure in Commonwealth pôlitics). The house with its simple Georgian detail originally stood on the east side of the 'highway' (now North Main St.) that ran from Newport, R.I. to Boston, near the present site of the Superior Court House and Registry of Deeds. When the street required widening, the house was moved to the west side of the street (116 No. Main St.!. In 1874 the house was sold to David M.

Anthony, a partner in Anthony, Swift & Co. provisions, who built an elaborate brick mansard house on the lot and moved the house again, this time to it's present location on Cherry st. The Lafayette-Durfee House was one of the largest and most important houses near the center of the city which was standing at the time of the Revolution, and where General Lafayette stayed during an expedition between Newport and Boston. Moving important houses has always been common practice in Fall River, however the 1837 move is probably the earliest documented move. In the mid- 1870's, as the industrial and business sections of the city expanded, houses of note were moved quite regularly. For more information - see National Register Nomination 10.

Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records, early maps, etc.) Atlas 1895-shown 1883-shown, no name near corner Danforth & Cherry 1871-D.M. Anthony on North Main Street 1862-History of Fall River, Orin Fowler p. 30, 46 1877-Contennial History of Fall River, Henry H. Earl p.10 1877-Fall River and it's industries, Frederick Peck & Henry H. Earl p. 198 File on 368 No. Main Street