Nomination for St. Joseph's School

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 NOV 2 | 1983 date entered historic St. Joseph's School and/or common Same 2. Location street & number Eagle Street N/A not for publication city, town North Adars N/A vicinity of state Massachusetts 3.

Classification Category Ownership _district - public - building(s) X - private structure _ both site Public Acquisition object _ in process N/A being considered code 025 county Berkshire code 003 Status - occupied unoccupied vork in progress Accessible -yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted no Present Use _ agriculture commercial educational .entertainment government _industrial - military museum park private residence religious scientific * orther Claionly housing 4. Owner of Property name St. Joseph's Court Associates street & number 200 North Main Street city, town East Longmeadow N/A vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. 65 Park Street Northern Berkshire Registry of Deeds street & number Adams city, town 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic Assets title of the Commonwealth #128 has this property been determined eligible? state Massachusetts - yes X date May 1982 federal X state county local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state Massachusetts 7. Description St. Joseph's School,North Aoams, Ma Condition X excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one unaltered x altered Check one original site moved date N/A Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

St. Joseph's School is a threestory masonry building prominently situated at the northwest corner of Eagle Street (NR-1972) and Route 2 (Veterans Memorial Drive). It is bounded on the east by Eagle Street, on the south by Lincoln Street and Route 2, on the west by a former convent, and on the north by modern development. The structure stands as an anchor marking a major entrance to downtown North Adams. St. Joseph's School is characteristic of the Neo-Classical Revival style. The three-story building consists of a main mass, broken by a projecting gabled pavilion, and flanking wings which also project from the central block (Map-A). include a three story, square wing which was placed at the northwest corner in 1959 (Map-B). There is also a more recent five story addition attached to the north elevation.

Constructed in 1982, this wing is part of a certified rehabilitation project which was completed for the entire building complex. This addition is faced with brick and connected to the main building by a recessed aluminum and glass curtain wall (Map-C).- The original building rests on a partially exposed basement story which is fully incorpor- ated intó the design of the maïn building. The basement" and first story are constructed of coursed concrete blocks textured with coal and pink marble chips. The upper two stories are faced with buff brick; end elevation brick is laid in a geometric pattern. Separating the basement and second stories is a cast concrete, moulded water course. first and second stories are divided by a concrete frieze and belt course inscribed 'Bonitatem et Disciplinam et Scientia Doce Une Domine."1 A wide plain cornice and simple parapet walls complete the roofline.

The original main entrance is set within the gabled pavilion of the facade. Approached by granite steps which are flanked by two concrete stoops and bronze posts supporting lanterns,the entrance has doulbe wooden doors located beneath a bracketed entablature. Centered on the pavilion are also two decorative plaques and shields, depicting St. Joseph's School coat of arms. The pavilion is further adorned by the use of modillions placed beneath the pediment. elevations. Simpler pedimented entries are located on the two end The entry on the rear elevation is a new shed-roofed doorway approximately 25' long which now 'serves as the building's main entrance." Compatibly designed, it re- places an earlier wood enclosed entry. Fenestration on the east (facade) and west elevations is symmetrical. Windows are large and rectangular and arranged in groups, with 6/6 wooden sash.

The south elevation windows, located above the entry, are narrower and elongated, reflecting their position in stair- wells. The north elevation has been largely obscured by the recent addition. Of particular interest is the interior of St. Joseph's School. The first floor features a large front entry foyer connecting the two classroom corridors. The entry foyer floor is laid in yellow marble tile with a black marble border, providing a sharp contrast with thee with ablack marble barner Walhs tletinished corraiss apanco, oed wathsterraz20 ..Walls are finished with raised panel, oak wainscot, surrounds. The second and third floors are finished in oak and pine respecti- ively. A compound plaster cornice molding and terrazzo tile floors are found on the second floor, where the school's coat of arms occupies a central wall position. 1.

"Lord, Teach Me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge" (Psalm 118) 8.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance st. Joseph's School, North Adams, MA Period prehistoric 1400-1499 15001599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 X 1900 Areas of Significance - Check and justify below archeology-prehistoric community planning archeology-historic conservation X 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 1928-29 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Architect: Unknown; Builder: D.J. Donahue Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) St. Joseph's School possesses integrity of location, design, materials, setting, and work- manship. Architecturally, the building is important as a rare survivor of Neo-Classical architecture in North Adams. Its historical significance derives from its origins in the late 19th century as the only Roman Catholic parochial school in a city whose economic base relied heavily on its Irish population to constitute much of the city's labor force. The school today is one of the few extant buildings reflecting this impor- tant immigrant heritage. Thus, St. Joseph's School meets Criteria A and C of the National Fegister of Historic Places. Irish inmigrants first came to North Adams in 1830 to work in the first cotton print works factory that had been started by Caleb Turner in the 1820s.

The town's substantial growth, in terms of its industrial development at this time, is attributable to these immigrants who constituted much of the work force. Newly established mills existed in such areas as "The Beaver"' (NR 1973), ''The Union" , Braytonville and Blackinton. By the mid 1850s large numbers of Roman Catholic Irishmen and their families had immigrated to North Adams, finding employment in the North Adams Iron Company, a wholesale shoe factory and/or the textile (wool and cotton) mills. For nearly two decades the Irish conmunity lacked a church. In 1848 a mission was established by Father Cavanaigh, and mass was performed four times a year. Sixteen years later, land was purchased at the corner of Eagle and Union Streets, and in 1869, St. Francis Church was completed.

The construction of the town's first Catholic church, together with the incorporation of North Adams in 1878 as a municipality separate from Adams, prompted plans for a parochial school. The Church's parishioners were solicited and $16,000 was raised to purchase the land just north of the Church. St. Joseph's School opened in September 1886. It was named for the teaching order of St. Joseph who had come to North Adams earlier that year. The brick Italianate structure was designed by James Welch of New York City and featured a facade pavilion crowned with a cupola and paired arched windows. The building stood until 1981. The building served as an adjunct educational facility through the mid 20th century and later was used for social functions by the local parish.

By 1981, the bullding was considered surplus property by the Archdiocese and due to its deteriorated condition, was demolished that same year. By 1928 this ten-room school was too cramped for a student population that had reached 500, and plans for a new facility were explored. In June, a contract for the construction of a new building was awarded by the Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese to D.J. Donahue of Springfield. It was to stand on the opposite corner of Eagle and Union Streets, just north of the Rectory. This new structure replaced several buildings on the site which included a late 19th century shoe factory and a mid-19th century residence. The design of the new school called for a three-story building of ornamental stone construction, containing 26 classroams, an auditorium, a gymnasium, and science laboratories. The 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Barnes and Farnham, Atlas of Berkshire County (Pittsfield: 1904) F.W., County Atlas of Berkshire (New York: 1876) D.L. Miller, C.E., Atlas of Towns of North Adams, Adams, Williamston & Cheshire, Berkshire County (New York: 1894) 10. Geographical Data Afreage of nominated property 1.30A Quadrangle name North Adams Quadrangle Quadrangle scale 1:25000 UT M References ALI $ |65,4 8 60 Zone Easting 1417/29|149 Northing ULLL LLL Northing GLI LiLu JLLL LILL LILILLL Lbdd LtiLul Verbal boundary description and justification Beginning at an iron pipe on the westerly side of Eagle Street at the northeasterly corner of the herein described premises; thense Section 26 59' 37" W. along Eagle Street 103.50' to a point; thence S. 26 11' 35" W.

along Eagle Street 162.74 to a point; thence, on a curve 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 Kathryn Kubie with Nancy L. Doonan and Elizabeth Durfee Hengen, Preservation Consultants organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date September 1983 street & number 294 Washington Street 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 y the National Park Service.

State Historic Preservation Officer signature tru hlseshnki 11/15/83 State Historic Preservation Officer title Massachusetts Historical Commission date For NPS use only 1 hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Mlnes yeu Natlone the Rezictex date 12/22/83 Attest: Chief of Registration date NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form St. Joseph's School Continuation sheet 7 & 8 Item number OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received date entered Page As mentioned earlier, the school underwent major rehabilitation in 1982. This project, which followed the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, involved conver- ting the complex to a congregate elderly housing facility. 8. Significance Cont. architect is not known. The new St.

Joseph's School opened September 9, 1929, with 605 students in attendance. Enrollment reached its peak of 1220 students in 1958. To acconmodate the increased student body, a cafeteria, located in the gymnasium, a darkroom, and four classroams the latter in a northwest wing (Map Section B) were added in the 1950s. The school's population was noted for its academic prowess and ability. The school newspaper regularly won national awards, and the debate team won state and regional championships. 80-85% of the graduating class attended college and many continued on to law school. The significant role St. Joseph's School played in the overall development of North Adams is multi-faceted. Originating as an educational center for the Irish Roman Catholic, the schoo] grew in stature as the city's only parochial school.

As Roman Catholic educational facilities in the northeast decreased in the mid-20th century, the school expanded to include nationalities from a variety of area parishes. With the demolition of the original St. Joseph's School, the nominated property acquired additional importance as one of the few remaining structures associated with Roman Catholic education in Northern Berkshire County. In the late 1970s the school closed due to decreasing enrollment and financial problems. It was recently purchased by a private development group who converted the building for use as an elderly housing facility. NPS Form 10-900-a (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 Far NPS use only received date entered Continuation sheet St. Joseph's Schoo1 9.

Major Bibliographic References (Continued) 9 & 10 1 Item number Page Insurance Maps of North Adams, Sanbørn Map Company (1908 and 1929) City Directories 50th Anniversary of St. Francis Church Booklet (1919) Morris, Hamilton, Interesting Facts in the Early History of North Adams (Edited in Transcript 1859-60) Rowe, H.G. North Adams and Vicinity Illustrated (North Adams: 1898) North Adams Transcript: July 1, 1921; June 25, 1928; July 31, 1928; June 2, 1930. 10. Geographical Data (Continued) to the right with a radius of 40.00' along Eagle and Lincoln Streets an arc distance of 43.63' to a pin in lead; thence, on a curve to the left with a radius of 582.66' along Lincoln Street 119.46' to a bound; thence, S. 75 24' 48" W. along Lincoln Street 18.00' to a point; thence, N. 12 32' 32" W. along land now or formerly of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield 49.08' to a point; thence, N.

08 50' 26" E. along last named land 220.47' to a point; thence, S. 80 16' 55" E. along land now or formerly of the North Adams Hous ing Authority 92.50' to a point; thence, N. 23 48' 39" E. along 1ast named land 102.70' to an iron pipe; thence, S. 65 39' 51" E. along land now or formerly of Charles and Lillian S. Glickman 145.55' to the iron pipe at the place of beginning; containing an area of approximately 1.376 acres. The nominated property includes the entire lot belonging to St. Joseph's School. Only the original 1928-29 section (labeled A) is considered to contribute to the signifi- cance of this nomination. 3.24 100 62 1.07 0 70.72 LINCOLN 86.23 STREET HEMOPIA 415.60° LINCOLN 68.0 231.73 SITE St. Joseph's School North Adams, MA Assessor's Map No. 106 Lot 17, revised according to "Plan of Property for Proposed St. Joseph's Court," 1981. Scale: 1" equals

Yº 66° KINC ACAT EXTER10R FENGE PARKING BiS 19.74° ST.JOSEPH SCHOOL A 162.7 EAGLE *31.1 20 83 14 V '0 'x 36.98 W 63.36 IN 101.1P 4x., PARKING 12 29' 60. 255.07 STREET 147.4 22 N 102.7 180 19.74 7666 56 119: 2. IASO Form - 17 'R" June 198 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET St. Joseph's School Berkshire County MASSACHUSETTS J resubmission - nomination by person or local government - owner objection -appeal Substantive Review: -sample Reviewer's comments: Orequest -appeal Working No._ NOV 2 | 1983 Dat. Ree. Dater 23/83 Action: Entered Iil tlie _RETURN 12/22/83 National Registon _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? 7. Description Condition -excellent -good -fair Ldeteriorated Oruins -unexposed L yes L no Check one -unaltered -altered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance L summary paragraph Lcompleteness clarity J alterations/integrity dates - boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use Check one -original site L moved date 8.

Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Builder/Architect L summary paragraph - completeness L clarity L applicable criteria -justification of areas checked L relating significance to the resource - context L relationship of integrity to significance L 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 title 13. Other date -Maps -Photographs L Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed. .

Date Phone: Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet 655 ST. JOSEPH®S SCHOOL Eagle Street, N. Adams, MA Photograph by Nancy L- Doonan August 1983 Negative filed at Gould Hill Ra.. Box 109. RFD 1 Contoocook, NH Photo #1at2jView 1ooking northwest at facade and south elevation. ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL Eagle Street, N. Adams, MA Photograph by Nancy L. Doonan August 1983 Negative filed at Gould Hill Contoocook NH RFD 1, Photo #2072;View lo0king northwest at facade