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. Form no. C'port CPT IIC8 1 1. TownCambridge Address 26-32 River Street Name Urban Rowhouses Present use residential/commercial 2. Photo (3x3" or 3x5") Staple to left side of form Photo number |104-SA - - Present owner (Please see other side) 3. Description: Date 1860 Source deed records Style Mansard Architect anonymous Exterior wall fabric_brick Outbuildings (describe)none Other features pressed brick, trimmed in brownstone; opulent masonry detail. 1838 Asse550m 105-19 105-20 106-21 105-22 (over) Altered No Moved No Date_ Date_ 5. Lot size: One acre or less _xx Over one acre Approximate frontageall bldgs. 110 feet Approximate distance of building from street 12 feet 6. Recorded by Bainbridge Bunting OrganizationCambridge Historical Comm.
Date_ 1965 UTM-BeSTONY SOUTH 19/326550/4692190 30M.- - 7. Original owner (if known) Frederick Clapp Original use residential Subsequent uses (if any) and dates_residential, one commercial establishment 8. Themes (check as many as applicable) Aboriginal Conservation Agricultural Education Architectural Exploration/ The Arts settlement Commerce Communication Industry Military, Community development Political Recreation Religion Science/ invention Social/ humanitariar Transportation 9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above) Like the rowhouses on Pearl Street, these River Street houses are clearly urban in nature. They are faced with pressed brick and trimmed in brownstone. Its design is comparable to rowhouses of the same date in the South End of Boston. The ingenious manner in which the facades are staggered to fit the irregular lot is unusual.
26-32 River Street illustrates a change in the spirit and technique seen in masonry buildings of the perioa. Despite the opulent masonry detailing, Some features were made of wood as an economy measure, but painted brown and dusted with, appearance oI brownstone. Eachtottnesegive the these Powhouses forms a monumental streetscape and signifies the growing urbanization of the once rural village of Cambridgeport. Present owners: 26 River Street: Trustees of the Freedom Bicentennial Trust, Richari L. Medverd, Boston, MA 28 River Street: Joseph Aiello ,Cambridge, l'A 30 River Street: Richard L. Medverd, Boston 32 Fiver Street: Louisa A. and Frederick H. Ryer, Sr. 10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records, early maps, etc.) Discusaad in dichitectural History in cambridge series, Report Ihree: cambridgeport. p.
67 Subetantive RevTen NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION / RETURN SHEET 25-32 Rein At URban Rowhonses(Cambredge Property: multiple Resounce ARea) State, County: MA-Dudaleeu Federal Agency: United States Department of the Interior National Park Service resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Working No. Fed. Reg. Date:. Date Due: Action: 11-14-80-2862 4-17-82 ACCEPT. LRETURN. 4/13/82 - REJECT photosL maps - Substantive Review: sample - request _ appeal _ NR decision Reviewer's comments: Please provide a stronge, statrvent o signyticance and addreas any ntaguty problerns. Rlase erovrde ontertral wormaton Deean speafieally addreas way there sonhauses ar eligiere pos the N.R. Retun Dewn Recom.
/ Criteria - Reviower lzrarnau Discipline- arch /tis Date 4-/3.82 - see continuation sheet -Nomination returned for: - technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification alogar Domorabie putttc hooulattion 4. Owner of Property Matur Ascosalblo Prasont Ueo 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys fa the property boon dotormined oligtole? - ra - no 7. Description mihtien - exceltem good tair deteriorated ruins unexposed Ohock one - unattered - sitered Chock one - original aite moved dete Do the prosant and artolnel (il known) plryctael appasrans summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 8.
Significanco 1 of Bh entheen Mconos Chock and jattly beler bulbder:Arotltoo 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 Aorsaga of nominated property Quedrengie neme UMT Roterences rbel be undery deacriptien and metifcatten 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The eveluated eignificance of thie property wolthin the atate is - national - state - local t Mletortc Preeervatten Officer eigneture 13.
Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed toAndrees Signed Brackam - Date 4.18.82 Phone: 202 272-3504 Comments for any Item may be continued on 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 |104 -SA ' - - IASAZINE ASSESSOR #105-19 105 - 20 106-21 105-22 (over) 30M-5-77 In Area no. C'port Form no. CPT IIC8 1. Town Cambridge Address 26-32 River Street Name_Urban Rowhouses Present use residential/commercial Present owner (Please see other side) 3. Description: Date 1860 Source deed records Style Mansard Architect _anonymous Exterior wall fabric _brick Outbuildings (describe)none Other features pressed brick, trimmed in brownstone; opulent masonry detail. Altered No Moved No Date Date 5.
Lot size: One acre or less xx Over one acre Approximate frontageal1 bldgs. 110 feet Approximate distance of building from street 12 feet 6. Recorded by Bainbridge Bunting OrganizationCambridge Historical Comm. Date 1965 UTM-BOSTONY SOUTH +9132655014692190 I AON 08617 7. Original owner (if known)_ Frederick Clapp Original use residential Subsequent uses (if any) and dates residential, one commercial establishment 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) Like the rowhouses on Pearl Street, these River Street houses are clearly urban in nature.
They are faced with pressed brick and trimmed in brownstone. Its design is comparable to rowhouses of the same date in the South End of Boston. The ingenious manner in which the facades are staggered to fit the irregular lot is unusual. 26-32 River Street illustrates a change in the spirit and technique seen in masonry buildings of the period. Despite the opulent masonry detailing, Some features were made of wood as an economy measure, brownstone. Each of these Dowhouses forms a monumental streetscape and signifies the growing urbanization of the once rural village of Cambridgeport. Present owners: 26 River Street: Trustees of the Freedom Bicentennial Trust; Richaré L. Medverd, Boston, MA 28 River Street: 30 Joseph Aiello ,Cambridge, l'A River Street: Richard I. Medverd, Boston 32 River Street: Louisa A. and Frederick H. Ryer, Sr. 10.
Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records, early maps, etc.) Discusaad in dichitectural History in cambridge series, Repot Ihree: canbridgeport. p. 67 INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORI CAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity : Cambridge Fonn No: CPT II.C.8 Property Name: Urban Row Houses 26-32 River Street Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. The urban row houses at 26-32 River Street were erected in 1860 by Frederick Clapp, a woodenware dealer in Boston, and are the most elaborate early examples of this type remaining in Cambridge.
These houses were "to be built in the most substantial manner - and adapted to the wants of those who abound in this world's goods" .* After horse car service to Boston was begun in 1853, Cambridgeport and Mid Cambridge were seen' as desirable suburban communities by Boston merchants. Cambridge accordingly has many one-of-a-kind structures which were built by Boston interests and were similar to those being built in large numbers in Roxoury, South Boston, and Charlestown. These row houses are the sole Camoridge representatives of this type of early bell-cast Mansard houses which were built in quantity elsewhere in the Boston area. Three of the four houses are in original condition; number 26, Clapp's own house, has been altered by the insertion of store windows. These alterations are recoverable and do not detract from the overall integrity and significance of the structures.
They meet criterion C, embodying distinctive characteristics of urban, residenital, second Empire style construction: Slate, mansard roof punctuated by pedimented dormers, architectonic brownstoné trim, and symmetrical desian. *Cambridge Chronicle, April 21, 1860. 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 6 1:1 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Cambridge Multiple Resource Area MA Nomination/Type of Review " 51. Read, Cheney, House ra Nerlew/ Keeper Date/Signature Welliam/t.Aravham 4.13.82 Attest '52. Reardon, Edmund, House Keeper WiiamA.Aravkam 4.13.8: Attest 53. River Street Firehouse May Tei Keeper Williant. Bracham 4.1382 Attest "54.
Sands, Ivory, House Roviea / Keeper Wician1.Brachan 41387 ,55. Senior House DOE/OWNER OBJECTION/Keeper 56. South Row Attest Detuce Attest saszai Keeper Deject 4138 Attest +57. Urban Rowhouse (40-48 Pearl St.) Keeper Weecsam H. Bravam 4.138 Attest 58. Urban Rowhouse (30-38 Pearl St.) Keeper WiietiamHBravham 4.13-82 Attest 59. Urban Rowhouse (26-32 RiveuistantIve HevTew Keeper Attest ta-helhng ( 6-30-5 60. Valentine Soap Workers Cottages (5-7 Cottage St.) Keeper Attest 1a Konnl 6308 13182 VATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Jetted States Der d ol sho latarta Yational Park Serna Substantive Revlow Urban Rowhouse (Cambridge MRA) Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS EYALUATION / RETURN SHEE Working N°.. Fed. Reg. Date:.
Date Due: Action: 11-14-80-2862 2-7-84 714/6 ACCEPT 6/30/2:3 rosubmission - RETURN nomination by person or local government REJECT owner objection Foderal Agoncy: appeal Substantive Roview: sample - request appeal - NR decision Reviower's comments: SENIMCANCE WIRHAN LOEM CONTEG PROVIDED. Recom. / Criteria - Reviower. MAcoozu Diacipline Dato- 4:30.82 so continuation sheet _technical corrections cited below substantive reasons discussad below -Nomination returned for: 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Prosont Uoo 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Ma prepery too 1. Description sertoret vine _natorod Mored atoo aho prasont ad ortgtaad (il keooad piryeteed summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates mover 8. Significance ertod Aroas of!
summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relation ship of integrity to significance justification of exception other 9. Major Bibliographical Reterences 10. Geographical Data sage of m minetad property . bntrenge rame - VITT Roteronea weel te 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evets ance of inia propperty wprin pne emate is: _ state -- loca: Wane Preeervetten Omoe signature - 13. Other Maps - Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to _ Signed - Date - Phone: 202 272 -350 Comments for any Item may be continued on an attached sheet 1094-12A 086L5TA0N urba Rowhauses 30-38 PearlSt.
camb,dee MRA; Ma 1094124 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000275