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Nomination for Nevins Memorial Library

The case file that argued this property on to the National Register: 1,110 words across 8 pages, filed in 1984. Reproduced in full, word for word.

Source document Held by the National Archives in Record Group 79 as reference 84002407, where it exists only as a scan with no text layer. The words below were read off that scan by machine, so the occasional stray character is the recogniser's and the typewriter's. Nothing is summarised, corrected or written by this site. See the catalogue record, or return to the property.

The nomination, in full

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

AREA FORM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 294 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON, MA 02108 FORM NO. 1 Town Methuen Address_ 305 Broadway Historic Name_Nevins Memorial Library M.MR Present Owner: Nevins Memorial Library PHOTO: (3x3" or 3x5", black & white) staple to left side of form Photo number 1-2 SKETCH MAP Show property's location in relation to nearest cross streets and/or geographical features. Indicate all buildings between inventoried property and nearest intersection. Indicate north. TOWN HALL BROADIVAY Use: Present town library and assembly ha Original same DESCRIPTION: Date_ 1883 Northern Essex Registry Source_(Book 81, p.181) Style Romanesque Revival Architect - Samuel J.F. Thayer Exterior wall fabric red brick Outbuildings nine-stall garage (frame) at rear Major alterations (with dates) handicap Iamp HIGH ST. Moved no Approx.

acreage Date n/a 8.02A - acre Setting_busy thoroughfare on edge of town center Recorded by Carole Zellie Organization Landscape Research, Ltd. Date August, 1982 Assessor's Data: Block 57, Lot 19 UTM Reference: Lawrence Quad 1:25,000 19 320700/4733070 (Staple additional sheets here) ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community.) The Nevins Library is an excellent example of the Romanesque style fully developed by H. H. Richardson of Boston and chosen by many architects for the design of public buildings. It is the most developed example of the style in Methuen and in excellent condition. Terra cotta and copper crockets cap the slate roof; stained glass decorates three round-arch windows.

Low-sprung arches carried by brick piers, a stepped parapet, and octagonal bay provide assymetrical arrangement of the red brick facade. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the commnity.) The Nevins Library possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and workmanship. It is significant as a well preserved institutional building, the only public/private library in Methuen. It was built as a result of the philan- thropy of mill owner David Nevins and was designed by a recognized architect, Samuel J. F. Thayer. It meets criteria A, B and C of the National Register of Historic Places.

The Nevins Library was donated to Methuen by the Nevins family, who are associated with the development of the Methuen Cotton Mills and numerous ventures, including Nevins Park, a residential section near the Library grounds. The Library is sited on a landscaped tract with many imported trees and botanical specimens. The Nevins family graves are at the rear of the library, marked by a boulder and plaque. An 1896 statue by C. Moretti titled, "Angel of Life," is situated near the grave site. The second floor of the library is devoted to an assembly hall. Despite some mod- ernization, much of the original interior woodwork is intact. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES (name of publication, author, date and publisher) North Essex Registry of Deeds, Book 81, Page 181.

10M - 7/82 NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Item number OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received (2//8) date entered Page 3~, Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Methuen Multiple Resource Area Essex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review 21. House at 50 Pelham Street Entered in the Nationa1 Regieter 22. House at 526 Prospect Streetatered to the aMgonl-Begieter 23. House at 9 Park Streét Intered in the MatAgual Begieter 24. Johnson House Intered lu the 120001 Begieter 25. Lawrence Street Cemetery Interes Met1o0s) Bee eter 26. Methuen Water Works Bntered l ia National Begteter 27. Morse, Moses, House Sari Matfone! Beeteter 28. Nevins Memorial Library Botelou in Lae Hetlonn.1. Begietar 29.

Nevins, Henry C., Home for Aged and Incurables hutsred in Itae Metso0nl Bezieter 30. Pleasant-High Historic District Subetantive RevIew Date/Signature fkeoper Allmabzan 1/a/o Attest fReeper AlmeByun 1/0/84 Attest foKeeper AelmaByur /ulv Attest fKeeper AelmaByen ußy Attest tKeeper Attest fteeper AlouDyun 1100/s4 MelaneByu.pre/rt Attest fikeeper AelousByan 1/x/84 Attest AKeeper Aelnsbyua 1/20/84 Attest fReeper Attest fKeeper AlelmByera,/20/e4 Pum le Dre,ek4/20/4 Attest WASO Form - 177 (R" June 1984) Ry.#84002407 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Nevins Memorial Library (Methuen MRA) Essex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: - sample -request Working No. DEC - 7 1983 Fed. Reg.

Date: -5-85 Date Due: - 1584 - /21/8 Action: ACCEPT - 1/30/8 Entered in the RETURN latlonet #Federapt _ REJECT_ Agency:_ -appeal L 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 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 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 Nerias Menerial Cibiary uThce, MeA Ha 6.34 A 155.51 338$ 93.45 2669 -20,5 10g 42. AC (PL 12-4-20): PL 167) (PL 213) 492.07 175 19A 27,66.4 VOL 22* 242 78.3 091 BLK 57 0000 19018 9 6 18E 7 6 89 170 LiI9 0-99 68 52 BROADWAY. 19 40 8.02 AC. 45 6-12 TOP 19 8.02 AC BLK 57 170.65. /90.7 =29,200 123:35 21 2 10,0 161. 164 137 23,20 142 54 13 7,107 134 12 9.184 T27.1. 6.531 129.4 7,273 42 979 4655 28 79 8 00 8,537 93 6,500 09 6 7,740 122 5 9,686 136,70 4 6178 45 134.57 144.5, 7,240- 105 5720 2 6,550 68 87.5 ~25000 826,7 13 (PL351) GAGE 59.5 29 10 - 9,610 64.5 PL3 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000284