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 - - In Area no. MID CAMB. Form no. MC II B 11 1. Town Cambridge Address_6 Prentiss Street Name William Saunders House Present use nursing home 2. Photo (3x3" or 3x5") Staple to left side of form Photo number 1105-4 - LINNAEAN ASSESSOR #154-98 (over) Present owner Louis Almeida, Trustee of Exeter House Nursing Home 3. Description: Swansea, MA. Date 1843 Source deed records Style_Greek Revival Architect William Saunders, builder Exterior wall fabric_clapboard Outbuildings (describe)_ Other features_Facade, with gable end to the street, is divided into bays by the two end pilasters with Tuscan capitals, and two middle pilasters Altered yes, c.1960 - Date Ionic capital Moved Yes Date circa 1926 5.
Lot size: One acre or less XX Over one acre 83' Approximate frontage Approximate distance of building from street 12' 6. Recorded byElisabeth MacDougall Organization Cambridge Historical Comm. Date_1966 UTM- BOSTON NORTH 19/325520/4694380 4-5-77 7. Original owner (if known) William Saunders Original use private home Subsequent uses (if any) and datesnursing home, 8. Themes (check as many as applicable) Aboriginal Agricultural Architectural The Arts Commerce Communication Conservation Education Exploration/ settlement Industry Military Political Recreation Religion Science/ invention Social/ humanitarian Transportation Community development 9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above) The Saunders House is a classic example of a Greek Revival residence with monumental pilasters and cornice in imitation of a classical pediment.
The house was moved from Massachusetts Avenue to its present location circa 1926. The porch en- tablature is ornamented with wreaths. The house was built for his by William Saunders, a carpenter/builder active in the first nineteenth century. The elder Saunders responsible for a number of Federal, Greek Revival and Regency houses in Cambridge. Despite the unfortunate replacement of the original ponerwise sursived intaetandisustal tor hais area. Its move in 1926 saved it from probable demolition as commercial pressure increased along Massachusetts Avenue and indicates that the importance of the house was recognized even at that time. 10.
Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records, early maps, etc.) NOV 1 4 1980 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION / RETURN SHEET Willain Saunders Honsycea) Property: (CAmbridge muetiple Resounce Stato, County: Mf- Nuddlesey Federal Agency:. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Working No. 11-14-80-2862 Fod. Reg. Date:- Date Due: 4/11/83 Action: - ACCEPT LRETURN 4/13/82 - REJECT photos L maps- Substantive Review: -sample - request - appeal NR decision Reviewer's comments: Atronger jiestufication /centext needed Please compoue this brilding to other exampleso its architectural style in Cambridge. Recom.
/Criteria BeAunr Reviewer _ Braram Discipline- arch-It Date 4.6.52 _ see continuation sheet -Nomination returnedfor: - technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. 4. Classification Grmeratle Pubtte Aoquuleition Owner of Property Ueo 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys fa tale property been determined eligible? - - . 7. Description excelien good rale _ detertorator . ruins Cheek ene - unaltered - altered at and ertelnal (1knwwn) plyeiael en summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Check ene - original site _ moved date 8.
, Significance ortoi and poottly baler Ader Arclite antteanoo (in em 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 lereoge of nominated property Guedrangle remo_ UNIT Roterences arbel be 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Tha evetuatad eigniticence of thie property atenin the etate le: netionel Btta Mletarte Preservatten OMcer etgnetur 13.
Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Anduu signed Bratkam - Date 4/3.82 Phone: 202 272-3504 Comments for any Item may be continued an attached sheet 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 1105-4 - - LINNAEAN ASSESSOR #154-98 (over) 30M-5-77 In Area no. MID CAMB. Form no. MC II B 11 1. Town Cambridge Address 6 Prentiss Street Name William Saunders House Present use nursing home Present owner Louis Almeida, Trustee of Exeter House Nursing Home 3. Description: Swansea, MA.
Date 1843 Source deed records Style_Greek Revival Architect William Saunders, builder Exterior wall fabric clapboard Outbuildings (describe) Other features Facade, with gable end to the street, is divided into bays by the two end pilasters with Tuscan capitals, and two middle pilasters W/ Altered yes, c.1960 _Date Ionic capita Moved_Yes Date circa 1926 5. Lot size: One acre or less XX Approximate frontage Over one acre 83' Approximate distance of building from street 6. Recorded byElisabeth MacDougall Organization Cambridge Historical Comm. Date 1966 UTM-BESTON NORTH 19/325520/4694380 7. Original owner (if known) William Saunders Original use private home Subsequent uses (if any) and dates nursing home, 8.
Themes (check as many as applicable) Aboriginal Agricultural Architectural XX 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 Saunders House is a classic example of a Greek Revival residence with monumental pilasters and cornice in imitation of a classical pediment. The house was moved from Massachusetts Avenue to its present location circa 1926. The porch en- tablature is ornamented with wreaths. The house was built for his son by William Saunders, a carpenter/buiider active in the first half of the nineteenth century. The elder Saunders was responsible for a number of Federal, Greek Revival and Regency houses in Cambridge.
Despite the unfortunate replacement of the original porch column shafts, the Saunders' detailing has otherwise survived intact and is unusual for this area. Its move in 1926 saved it from probable demolition as commercial pressure increased along Massachusetts Avenue and indicates that the importance of the house was recognized even at that time. 10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records, early maps, etc.) NOV 1 4 1980 INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION- Office of the Secretary, Boston Commnity : Form No: MC Mid Cambridge II.B.11 .William Saunders House (1843 property Name: 6 Prentiss Street Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
The William Saunders House is significant as a handsome and in- tact example of an architectural type that has not survived in large numbers in Cambridge. The house is the work of master builder William Saunders; only three other examples of his work remain in Cambridge: the Frost House (1807); Saunders' own residence (1820); and the Sparks House (1838), all three nominated to the National Register. The Saunders House is notable architecturally in that it creates the ettect of a temple front, not with a full portico, but rather by using colossal applied pilasters and a cornice carried across the gable, suggesting a classical pediment. This house has the latest date (1843) of the four Saunders-designed buildings in Cambridge, and it represents the evolution of the architect's mature style.
The northern end of Mid Cambridge was ready for development once the railroad station at Porter Square was in operation, thus rendering Boston within easy commuting distance. The Saunders House is one of two substantial Greek Revival houses built on North (Massachusetts) Avenue at the time the railroad commenced its passenger service to Boston. The Saunders House was moved to its Prentiss Street location in 1843; the other, the Stillman Wills House (1839), also on the National Register, was moved to 1 Potter Park. The Wills House was extensively remodelled in 1883 and 1904, overwhelming the original simple lines. The Saunders House, therefore, is the only one of its date in unaltered condition. The William Saunders House is significant under Criterion A for its role in the development of the North Avenue community, and under Criterion C as an important example of its type and style.
Staple to Inventory form at bottom NPS Form 10-900-a (7-81) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Item number For NPS use only received date entered Page 8 4,7 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Cambridge Multiple Resource Area MA Nomination/Type of Review 7I. Melvin, Isaac, House 72. Saunders, William, House 73. Fay, Isaac, House 14.. Buildings at 102-104 Inman St. Subatantive RevIew 75. Buildings at 106-108 Inman St. 76. Buildings at 110-112 Inman St. 11. Buildings at 1707-1709 Cambridge St. 78. Buildings at 1715-1717 Cambridge St.. 19. Deane-Williams House 80. Vinal, Albert, House Bndeesevsa teviov Keeper Date/Signature LielianH.
Bracham 4.13.82 Attest MerIom Keeper fonenhaongd 6-3-53 Attest -YIaT Keeper tora, warlonay a 6-90-53 Attest Keeper sme a Day A 630.87 Attest Keeper Weciam H. Bracham 4.13.82 Attest Keeper WilliamH. Brackam 4.13.82 Attest Keeper Bra t Pgl o.s0.ig Attest Keeper - touADrl 6.30-87 Attest BubstanbIve RevIen Keeper William H. Bracham 4.13.82 Attest V Keeper. pla Bonpl 6 353 Attest ATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES od Statos Depertmant of thho latarto Ional Park Service EVALUATION / RETURN SHEE, Subatantive Kevien Saunders, William, House (Cambridge MRA) Middlesex County MA Tesubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substentive Roviow: Roviower's comments: Working No. U.14.80-256 Fed. Reg.
Date: 2-7-84 Date Due: 7/7/83 Action: ACCEPT 6/30/83 - RETURN REJECT- Foderal Agency:- - sample _request _ appeal - NR decision CONTEXT PROVIDED Recom./ Criteria AtL Reviewer_ Mar Discipline- A./t. Date_ o.30,83 -_ 800 continuation sheet -technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below -Nomination returned for: 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification maoon Uao 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Mas ais propety bon coromms - 7. Description ate see sopaed (ll sesonmal poyer summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates Chock em noved 8.
Significance Ported Arees ef sh Boskie datee watly boter alder Aretreer ane el stomitheanao (in ano paragras 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 Aoreage of nominetad property. Quedrangie neme JNT Reterencse Varkel boundary doscrhptten and huslficatien 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Tha evetunted signiticance of thie property within the state ie: nationel oca Pate Mistorle Pr seervation Officar signeture ude 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 1105 -4 NOY 1 4 198 049 C Cambridge MRA,Ma saunders, Willian, Huse 6 Prentiss St. 1105-4 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000275