BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
- FORM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston - - 2. Photo (3x3" or 3x5") Staple to left side of form Photo number '- - 4. Map. Draw sketch of building location in relation to nearest cross streets and other buildings. Indicate north. 1: COUNTY ¿AIL AND -DUSE OF CORRECTION 179 OM-5 - 77 In Area no. 35 HP- 3 Form no. 193 1. Town Salem Address Name_ Present use 7 Ash Street Bessie Monroe House Residential Present owner Jan M. Robbins 7 Ash Street Salem, Mass. 01970 3. Description: Date 1811 Source Tax records Style Federal Architect Unknown Exterior wall fabric Brick Outbuildings (describe) None Other features _quoins, 6/6 sash, pedimented entry, granite basement. Alteredne Moved Date Date 5. Lot size: 2,586 sq. ft. One acre or less Over one acre Approximate frontage 43 ft. Approximate distance of building from street Adjacent 6.
Recorded by A. Crump Organization Salem Redevelopment Authority Date November 1979 UTM References: 19/344320/4709430 Assessor's Number: 35-193 7. Original owner (if known) Thomas Perkins Original use_ Residential Subsequent uses (if any) and dates 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) The modest brick house at 7 Ash Street is notable for the clarity of its Federal vernacular design, and is indicative of the character of an early 19th century neighborhood that was obliterated by urban renewal.
The simplicity and formality of the building are typical of Federal vernacular architecture. The two-story house is crowned by a hip roof punctuated on its forward slope by twin chimneys. A classically detailed fanlit doorway is centrally placed on the five-bay facade, and is the building's only decorative element. The house was built in 18l1 by Thomas Perkins, a prosperous merchant in nearby Topsfield. It was initially rented to Perkins' brother, a chairmaker, who occupied it until his death. While its modest character is typical of the surrounding neighborhood, now demolished, brick construction was relatively rare in Salem at the time it was developed, and the house was distinctive in its original context as much as it is today. Bessie Monroe, for whom the house is named, owned and occupied the 7 Ash Street house until her death around 1975.
Bessie Monroe was an elderly lady who became upset upon hearing that the property, in addition to all of the adjacent buildings, was to be taken by eminent domain through the Redevelopment Authority. The house was originally targeted for demolition. The Redevelopment Authority, concerned with how FTor demolition:, oueh relocation would affect Bessie Monroe's health, decided to take the property but allow Mrs. Monroe to live there until her death. This decision delayed the planned demolition of the building, even though all other targeted properties were demolished. (Continued) 10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records, early maps, etc.) Historic Salem, Inc.
research files INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity : Salem Form No: 193 Property Name: Bessie Monroe House Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. 9. Historical Significance (Continued) Luckily, the renewal plan changed its focus from new construction to restoration of existing buildings between the time of the Taking and Bessie Monroe's death. The building was then sold to an owner interested in restoring the structure. The Bessie Monroe House possesses integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship and association. It meets criterion C of the National Register of Historic Places.
Staple to Inventory form at bottom NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form For NPS use only received date entered Continuation sheet 12= Item number Page / af2 Multiple Resource Area Thematie Group dnr-11 Name State Downtown Salem Multiple Resource Area Massachusetts Nomination/Type of Review i 1. Bowker Place Intared in the Mational Register '2. 'Federal Street District Entered in the Nat1onal Register Date/Signature J'keeper Oulourbyen 1/21/83 Attest fkeeper Aelonaßyer 9/16/ 3. First Universalist Church Intared 1n tho Mational Regieter Attest Tkeeper AelouaByus 7/29/k5 Attest 4. Monroe, Bessie, House Entered in tne National Register Jokeeper AuluByer 1/2/8: Attest "S.i Dovmtom Salem Distriet subetantire Hortow frlkeeper asceft Patick Andus edlules. Attest i 6.
Peabody, John.P., House Jatared in ii MaiScöal Register Keeper selrußyen 7/24/2: 7. Salem Laundry Entered in the National Register 8. Shepard Block Entored in tho Mationsl Register Attest tkeeper Attest HKeeper AlunaByen 1/29/83 AulousAyad 2/21/83 9. Wesley Methodist Church Attest Keeper Entered in the Matlonal Register SelonaByus 7/29/83 10. Crombie Street District Entered in the National Register Attest Keeper Attest Aibueßzun 9/16/83 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES United States De at ol the leterto National Park Service Monroe, Bessie, House (Downtown Salem MRA) Essex County MASSAC HUSETTS EYALUATION / RETURN - SHE resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: JUN.I 4 1983 Working No. Fed. Reg.
Data: 2.7 84 Date Due: 7/14/83 -7/29/83 Action: ACCEPT.1/29/83 Interedin tho RETURN National Register - REJECT_ Federal Agency:. -sample - request -appeal - NR decision Recom. /Criteria _ Reviewer Discipline_ Date continuation sheet -Nomination returned for: technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussad below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys din property bemn trermined - 7. Description eortorate wins nespose and erdgteel ( Dhoch - - unantere Here summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Jock ene noved 8.
Significance poos of 3ig verfe detes wlider Arehita 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 oreege of nominered propert Quedrengle neme UMT Reterenoss Verbal beundary deecriatien and justificatien 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: netionet state local Mistorie P eeervation Officer signetur sets 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 7-22 stige Print by Berkey 7 Ash St Merree, Bossie Hesse NOV 1979 Prestige Prints by Berkey Dounteun Salen MRA, Ma Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000277