Nomination for Dalton Grange Hall No. 23

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (3-82) 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 OCT |3 1983 date entered historic Dalton Grange Hall (23 (preferred) and/or common 2. Location Bartonville Grange Hall street & number aud South Street & Grange Hall Road, N/Anot for publication city, town Dalton N/A vicinity of state Massachusetts 3. Classification Category district X building(s) - structure site object Ownership - public X private both Public Acquisition in process N/A being considered code 025 county Berkshire code 003 Status - occupied .

unoccupied X work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted .no Present Use _ agriculture commercial educational entertainment - government industrial military museum park private residence religious scientific transportation X other: quasi public fraternal 4. Owner of Property name Dalton Grange No. 23 c/o Mr. Sidney Bancroft, Master street & number 83 Lake Street city, town Dalton N/A vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts 01226 courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Middle Berkshire Registry of Deeds street & number Bank Row city, town Pittsfield 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Historical Assests of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts '. 2 has this property been determined eligible?

state Massachusetts 01201 - yes - no date September 12, 1980 _ federal X state county _ local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state Massachusetts 7. Description Dalton Grange Hall #23, Dalton, MA Condition _ excellent good X fair & _ deteriorated ruins unexposed _unaltered altered Check one original site moved date N/A Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Dalton Grange Hall No. 23, also known as the Bartonville Grange Hall, is located on a triangular ½ acre lot formed by the intersection of South Street and Grange Hall Road in western Dalton. Constructed in 1879, the Hall is a wood frame (clapboarded), 1½ story gable roof building distinguished by the asymmetry of its I-plan and spare simplicity of its vernacular Victorian design. Architectural interest is focussed on the three-bay gable end facade of the main hall which faces South Street (west) and is set close to the road. It retains all its original features: doub le door, center entry with two-light transom and gable hood; flanking narrow 4/4 windows with keavy projecting lintels; and small arched attic vent window in the gable field. Narrow undecorated corner boards and cornice complete the building's frim.

Fenestration elsewhere is composed of 6/6 double hung sash with plain surrounds, with one to three windows on each elevation. Those on the north, east, and south elevations of the main hall have been boarded over A secondary stagedoor entry is located on the north elevation in a lateral addition to the main hall constructed ca. 1900. Also added ca. 1900 and no longer standing was a single lane bowling alley shed entered through a door at the west corner of the north elevation. The decay and removal of this addition has caused sill damage to this area of the building (photo 1). A small one-story kitchen ell tucked at the rear (east) intersection of the two major wings dates from the original build or soon thereafter. The building sits on a low mortared fieldstone foundation enclosing a crawl space.

Iwo interior brick chimneys are located at the rear (east) of the main hall and south end of the dining hall. Roof covering is currently asphalt shingle. The interior retains all significant features including stage, molded flat arch with sliding doors connecting the main and dining halls as well as matched board wainscoating and plaster walls throughout. Although the Grange Hall has suffered from neglect in recent years its original fabric remains basically intact.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Dalton Grange Hall #23, Dalton, MA Period Areas of Significance - Check and justify below - prehistoric - archeology-prehistoric - community planning landscape architecture _ religion 1400-1499 archeology-historic _ conservation law science 1500-1599 X agriculture 1600-1699 X _ architecture X _ economics literature - sculpture _ education military - social/ 1700-1799 art _engineering music humanitarian X 1800-1899 commerce exploration/settlement. philosophy _ theater X 1900 communications industry politics/government - transportation . invention X other (specify) Fraternal Specific dates 1879 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Building Committee: John S. Barton Statement of Significance (inone paragraph) Robert A. Rice; Henry A. Barton, Sr.; W.M. Hathaway-sawed lumber; C.R. Lawrence & Brother Plastering; M. Shaw of Pittsfield - Lathing The Dalton Grange Hall #23 retains integrity of setting, location, design, materials, workmanship, and association. It is historically significant as an early and continuous representation of the Grange movement from the late 19th century to the present; it was the first Grange Hall in Massachusetts to have been constructed and owned by its members. In its simple and well-proportioned vernacular architectural design, it reflects both the efforts and aspiration of the rural community. The Dalton Grange Hall #23 thus meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places.

Founded in the last quarter of the 19th century by Oliver Kelley of Washington State, The National Grange movement grew out of earlier localized agricultural clubs. Its primary distinctive characteristics were emphasis on rural living as well as agriculture, secrecy, and lack of gender limitation. The organization of the Dalton Grange on formed. These early organizing steps occurred concurrently with the economic depression of 1873 and represent the agricultural community's urgent need for a powerful organization to protect their interests. Dalton Grange Hall #23 was among the earliest, and perhaps the pioneer, local grange association in the state. The initial membership of the Dalton Grange #23 was 22 Charter members including: Henry A. Barton, Sr., Master; Sylvester L. Young, Secretary and John S. Barton, Treasurer.

Meetings were first held in the Town Hall and later in the Baronville School House. Within six years membership numbers and local enthusiasum levels had risen sufficiently to warrant construction of a permanent home for the Grange; from conception to dedication, building committee, composed of John A. Barton, Robert A. Rice, Sylvester L. Young, and Henry A. Barton, Sr., was appointed to collect the funds and undertake the construction. In exchange for membership, William M. Hathaway offered to provide 2,000 feet of sawn lumber for the building which the building committee authorized to be erected on land near Henry A. Barton's house. By April, work was well underway and Robert A. Rice and Mr. H.C. Hale were instructed to contact Mr. Shaw of Pittsfield about lathing the hall at his lowest terms.

festival on June 25 raised $67.42 - the new Grange Hall was completed and dedicated by the Worthy State Master, Benjamin L. Ware, on December 10, 1879. The following year on February 24, 1880, the Grange was presented a deed for the ½ acre on which it stands, thus becoming the first locally organized Grange in Massachusetts to own its building 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References The 150th Anniversary of Dalton, Massachusetts, 1784-1934 Eagle Printing and Binding Co., Pittsfield, MA 1934 Dalton Grange it23, Meeting Minutes, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 Russel Howard S., A Long Deep Furrow: Three Centuries of Farming in Wew ingland. University Press. 1982 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property - ,25 acre Quadrangle name Pittsfield East, MA Quadrangle scale 1:24,000 UT M References AL1,8/ 164,94,2,0 Zone Easting 14,71023,0,0 Northing Zone DLL LildLililu Easting Northing CHL LuLu LILIL E GL HLL LLLLLE LILILLL Verbal boundary description and justification Dalton Assessors Plot Map No. 28, 1969, Lot #4 Deed. Henry A. Barton to trustees Dalton Grange #23 Book 243 pages 29-30. List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state N/A code county code- state code county code 11.

Form Prepared By Virginia A. Fitch, Preservation Planner with James N. Parrish, Historic Preservation Officer, Berkshire County Regional Planning organization Massachusetts Historical Commission Commission date July 1983 street & number 294 Washington Street telephone 617-727-8470 city or town Boston state MA 02108 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 according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

State Historic Preservation Officer signature Patuw LWeslourk 9/30/83 State Historic Preservation Officer title Massachusetts date Historical Commission For NPS use only I hereby certity that this property is included in the National Register ree Entered in the Nattonal Register date 11/10/83 Attest Chief of Registration date United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form Continuation sheet Dalton Grange Hall #23 Item number aa NBS uasaniyi rasiveoR dater enterec: 8 Page 1 and land. The Dalton Grange #23 played an important role both locally and regionally in furthering agriculture, as well as being a center of social activity in the community. The berkshire Councy Pomona Grange was organized here with Wesley B. Barton as its first Master.

Annual social events included Easter Sunday balls, Sugar Eats, Strawberry Festivals and Harvest Suppers. In the early 20th century the Grange was active in the County Extension Service, Youth Groups, amateur theatrical productions, and Red Cross (during WW I) and sponsored a Camp Fire group. Dalton Grange #23 is the oldest town civic organization in existence in Dalton today. The change of the Dalton area from a rural community to a suburban extension of Pittsfield during and after World War II reduced Grange memberships and increased the average age of its members. Presently, only II Granges remain in Berkshire County and their future vitality is uneven. On June 3, 1980, Dalton Grange #23 voted to attempt to repair their 10 year old Hall and stave off effort by the Town of Dalton to have the building demolished.

Appeals to the State Grange, State, and Local Preservation Agencies are being made to find funds for its preservation. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form Continuation sheet Dalton Grange uall it 23 Item number 10 deNBSzusaraniyi cateranter Page 1 Verbal boundary description: Book 243, Page 29-3U Reff. Deed lienry A. barton to Trustees of Dalton Grange #23. Sylvester L. Young, John S. Barton, Robert A. Rice; all my right, title, interest, and estate in and to the following described land situated in said Dalton, bounded and described as follows, to wit on the North by highway leading from Dalton to Hinsdale. On the East and South by highway leading from Pittsfield to Hinsdale.

On the West by the highway leading from Pittsfield to Dalton, meaning the land now occupied by the Dalton Grange Hall #23 to be used and occupied by the organization known as the Dalton Grange #23. 1880 - March j, 1880 January 16, 19jdO. Rec. Feb. 23 This constitutes the ½ acre orginally deeded to the Grange in 1880. .. - Dalton Assessors Map No. 28, ,1969 Lot NO. 4 .25 acre /" = 200 DALTON GRANGE HALL #23 Dalton, Massachusetts J RA 150 See Sheet No. 24 ELZ oLz obl o0l AIGe 6EI hbl 15 325 811 091 200 o1l 705 17 b6i Sol 18 Bre Daltirn Asscasoss Mapo. No. 28. Rste, 1964. ,25, Acre. WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Dalton Grange Hall No.

23 Berkshire County MASSA CHUSETTS - resubmission - nomination by person or local government - owner objection -appeal Substantive Review: -sample Reviewer's comments: -request Working No.. OCT I 3 1983 ed. Reg. Date: 2-5-85 ate Due: 11/20/83 - Action:LACCEPT - Intored In the _RETURN Nattonal Register _REJECT - Federal Agency:_ 4/27/83 1/10/83 -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 Ownershi ublic Acquisitio 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description Ha ei aroprtr re ernuerigtler) 7.

Description Condition Lexcellent - good J fair L deteriorated Oruins -unexposed Check one -unaltered -altered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance L 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 Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) summary paragraph Campleteness eol 6 / 730 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 ENARD Dalton Grange Hall #23 South Street & Grange Hall Road Dalton, MA 01226 James N. Parrish 9/12/80 View N.E. of South ell, Dinning Hall COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS SENATE STATE HOUSE. BOSTON 02133 TEL. 722-1625 SEN. PETER C. WEBBER BERKSHIRE DISTRICT TEL. 442-5039 RECEIVED 6F AUG 1 5 1983 MASS. HIST. COMM.

COMMITTEES: SENATE WAYS AND MEANS COHEACE AND L0 HEALTH CARE NA TAGRICULTUUECES AND August 9, 1983 Ms Valerie Talmage Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108 Dear Ms. Talmage: I am writing in support of the Dalton Grange Hall #23 applica- tion for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The Dalton Grange is the oldest grange hall in the state. It is in need of immediate structural repair, and all efforts to secure funding through the state and the state Grange for the repairs have failed. Nomination to the National Register would permit the Dalton a tne Nat ioa Grange to apply for the necessary funding through federal sources. The Dalton Grange is of immeasurable historic value. Nomina- tion to the National Register may be the only way to save this build- ing before it deteriorates beyond the point of repair.

I would very much appreciate it if you would nominate the Dalton Grange Hall #23 to the National Register when the Commission reviews the Grange application on September 14. Thank you for your attention. ery traly yours retakleble State Senator Berkshire District PCW/ns