Nomination for Valentine School

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 AUG - | 1983 date entered historic Valentine School (preferred) and/or common same (also known as the Grape Street School) 2. Location street & number Grape and Elm Streets. N/A not for publication city, town Chicopee N/A vicinity of pongrooeionel dietrios state Massachusettscode 025 county 3.

Classification Category Ownership .district X public X building(s) - private x - structure both site Public Acquisition .object N/A in process being considered Status occupied unoccupied work in progress Accessible X - yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted no Hampden code 013 Present Use _ agriculture commercial educational entertainment government industrial military museum park private residence religious scientific transportation X other: vacant 4. Owner of Property name City of Chicopee street & number City Hall city, town Chicopee N/A vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Hampden County Registry of Deeds street & number 50 State Street city, town Springfield state Massachusetts 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic title Assets of the Commonwealth, #302has this property been determined eligible?

- - yes - X no date 1983 _federalX state county _ local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state Massachusetts 7. Description Valentine School, Chicopee, Massachusetts Condition X excellent _ good 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 Valentine School (1898-1899)is a two-story, flat-roofed Renaissance Revival style building of red brick and sandstone, capped by a metal entablature. Set well back from thestreet in a wide, Shallow lot now largely covered with asphalt paving, the building remains in excellent structural condition, virtually unaltered since its construction just before the turn of the century. Its neighborhood remains a handsome one, with tree-lined streets and well maintained houses in styles ranging from Greek Revival to Queen Anne. The Valentine-School's well proportioned facade is symmetrical in design. The entrance block at the center projects from the wider block immediately behind it, which in turn is narrower than the rectangular main block of the building stretching across the rear. sith et consoto kaysone, Tarec lyrabove te a Fadtaddan wihaow with sangrch stone:trim.

The strong differentiation between stories, characteristic of the Renaissance Revival style, is carried out in the treatment of the building's front and side elevations. The raised basement and first floor are dis- tinguished by regular recessed courses of brick, which create a rusticated effect in contrast to the smoothness of the wall above. The first floor windows are rectilinear, with square-off stone lintels, while those of the second floor are round-headed, with sandstone-framed arches and sandstone: impost blocks and sills. The two levels are also marked by horizontal dividing lines: a strip of sandstone between basement and first floor, and a course of brick dentils between first and second stories. A broad red metal entablature, rising to a projecting cornice on scroll modillions, runs around the building on three sides.

The rear of the building is less elaborate but also symmetrical. While most of its 36 windows are capped by simple brick segmental arches, a group of four at either end of the second floor has semicircular heads. The building's interior retains its original oak woodwork throughout. The hallways are finished with horizontal boarding, the staircases with narrow vertical paneling. Halls on both main floors are lined with freestanding glass-fronted oak cabinets.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Valentine School, Chicopee, Massachusetts Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 X 1900- Areas of Significance - Check and justify below - archeology-prehistoric X community planning archeology-historic conservation agriculture economics - architecture X _ 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 1898-99 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect George P.D. Alderman, Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Valentine School, retains integrity of location, design, setting, naterials, workmanship, feeling, and association. As an outstanding local Revival style architecture designed by a The Valentine School was originally known as the Grape Street School; its name was changed in 1908 to honor a former principal, Willlam Valentine. Designed by George P.D. Alderman, a highly successful Holyoke architect who was responsible for numerous churches, mills, commercial, and civic buildings in western New England, including the main Holyoke Post Office, the school is a sophisticated Renaissance Revival design, the city's finest representative of thatistyle.

Both the elegance of its design the superb craftsmanship of its construction testify to the expansive civic spirit that characterized the last two decades of the 19th century in Chicopee. It was a period that saw the near doubling of the population, the incorporation of Chicopee as a city, and the institution of municipal water and electrical power systems. The Valentine School was located in a residential neighborhood close to the river, but east of the most densely built-up industrial area. At the time of the Valentine School's construction, there was already a school on the block.- the Robinson, built in 1842 and later named for a former principal who went on to become Governor of Massachusetts, the only Chicopee native to serve in that office. The Valentine School was connected to the older building by underground passage until the demo- lition of the Robinson School in the 1950s.

The Valentine School remained in use until 1980, continuing a tradition of public education on the site dating back to the early 19th century and the beginning of Chicopee's growth as an industrial center.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Municipal records in archives at Chicopee Public Library 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 2 Quadrangle name Springfield North UMT References Quadrangle scale 1:25,000 A L1,8/16/9810,40 Zone Easting cL1 LuLu E L4,6/6,8|5175 Northing LIILIL Lilillilil Zone Easting Northing LUILLL LILLL F HLULAAd LILILL Verbal boundary description and justification Beginning at the intersection of Grape.and Elm sts., the boundary of the Valentine School lot runs east along the southern edge of Elm St. for 206 ft., thence south 300.10 ft. along the western boundary of Mapte Grove Cemetery, thence west. 209 ft. to the castern side of Grape St., north 206 ft. to the point of origin. List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state code N/A county code state code county code 11.

Form Prepared By name/title: Virginia A. Fitch, Preservation Planner, with Kristin O'Conne1l organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date May 1983 street & number 294 Washington St. telephone (617) 727-8470 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 X 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 National Park Service.

State Historic Preservation Officer signature unhWeslousk State Historic Preservation Officer title Massachusetts Historical Conmission date 7/20/83 For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register elores Zyeu Intered in the date ~Keeper of the National Register Puttonai Register 9/16/83 Attest: Chief of Registration date WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Valentine School Hampden County MASSA CHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: sample Reviewer's comments: Jrequest appeal Working No._AUG I 1983 Fed. Reg. Date: Date Due: _ 9/1/83- 9/15/83 Action: ACCEPT CRETURN.

8/22/83 _REJECT Federal Agency: - 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 Category Ownership Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? yes no 7. Description Condition J excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one unaltered altered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use Check one J original site moved date 8.

Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) 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 Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification he evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state local Plene pumiii tume y State Historic Preservation Officer signature date title 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to - Signed.

Delaßyen - Date 5/22/83 - Phone: 202-343-9553 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Valentine School Hampden County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: sample Lrequest Working No. 8/1/53 Fed. Reg. Date: . 277.89 Date Due: 10/B0 8: Action: Iatared In tae LACCEPT. 9/16/83 _RETURN Natiobal Register _REJECT - Federal Agency: - 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 Category Ownership Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5.

Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? yes no 7. Description Condition excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one J unaltered altered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use Check one - original site - moved date 8. Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Builder/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.

Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name_ UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: _national state local State Historic Preservation Officer signature date title 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to - Signed - Date - Phone: _ Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Valentine School Chicopee, MA Photo Credit: Robert Bat November, 1977 Negatives filed at: Offi Deve lopment, Chicol Photo #1 of 6 Facade view from northwesi Valentine School Chicopee, MA Photo Credit: Robert Bat November, 1977 Negatives filed at: Offi Development, Photo #2 of 6 Rear of building; Maple G foreground.

T 0 Valentine School Chicopee, MA Photo Credit: Robert Ba November, 1977 Negatives filed at: Off Development, Photo #3 of 6 Main entrance Valentine School Chicopee, MA Photo Credit: Robert Bato November, 1977 Negatives filed at: Offic Development, Chi Photo #4 of 6 Window and cornice detail, Valentine School Chicopee, MA Photo Credit: Robert Bat November, 1977 Negatives filed at: Offi DEvelopment, Cl Photo #5 of 6 Interior detail: second Valentine School Chicopee, MA Photo Credit: Robert B November, 1977 Negatives filed at: Of DEve lopment, C Photo #6 of 6 Interior detail: cabin second floor. These cab: first and second floor } 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 July 20, 1983 Ms.

Carol Shull, Chief National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of the Interior 18th and C Streets, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: .Boston -Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church (local) Boston - Harrison Loring House (local) Chicopee alentine School (local) Gardner - Heywood-Wakefield Complex (local) Greenfield - Garden Theater Block (local) Monterey - Rock Ridge (local) Pittsfield - Allen Hotel (local) Williamstown - Col. Benjamin Simond House (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 conment. Corments received to date are attached to the nomination forms.

Sincerely, Candace lenkins Candace Jenkins Registration Director Massachusetts Historical Commission teed AUG - | 1983 CJ/hi Enclosure