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Nomination for Beard, Benjamin, House

The case file that argued this property on to the National Register: 1,120 words across 9 pages, filed in 1984. Reproduced in full, word for word.

Source document Held by the National Archives in Record Group 79 as reference 84002505, 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.

FORM B- BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 294 Washington Street. Roston. MA 02108 Area Form no. 84 Reading (#9) 3SS 251 Ash Street bric Namo Benjamun Beard House Original Dwelling Present Dwel1ing rship:@ Private individual Private organization Public Original owner Benjamin E. Beard DESCRIPTION: Date c. 1851-1854 Source Assessors val. Ist,1854 map Style Greek Revival Architect Exterior wall fabric Clapboards Outbuildings _20th c. toolshed Major alterations (with dates) Ell on south.. 8 Oi :Moved no Date 10 di.. Approx. acreage 9,199 s.f. Recorded by Architectural Preservation - Setting_ Faces east on raised Associates Organization Reading Historical Commission corner let Date November REVISED Date.

6/82 UTM: 19/327360/4709060 (Staple additional sheets here) ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within community) This is a conmon Reading house form of the Greek Revival period: one and one-half stories, with the long side parallel to the street and wide corner pilasters supporting an entablature. Here the entablature is of the classical three parts, rather than the more usual two parts. The door surround is the major focus of architectural interest. It ,retains a Federal tallness and high entablature. Window surrounds have felaborate molded cornices. This cottage represents an elaborate ex- (ample of the Greek Revival in Reading. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community): Benjamin E.

Beard was said to have been the first person in town to make the watch and jewelry trade a distinct business. ohe vaton and eve He opened a store in 1847 which he continued until his death in 1868. He was succeeded by his son,*who moved the business to the Lyceum Building (now demolished) in 1873. Previous to opening his own store, B. E. Beard worked for Daniel Pratt (clock manufacturer). * William E. Beard, BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES 1830 map- no 1854 map- Benjamin E. Beard 1875 map- yes but no name. 1850 & 1860 Valuation lists Eaton, Genealogical History, p.525 20M-2/80 INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commnity: Readins Property Name: 251 Ash St. Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.

Form No: B-34 CRITERIA FOR EVALUATIOM This pronerty is sicnificant (1) for its connection with watchmaker- jeweler Benjamin Deard; and (2) as an example of the typical Greek Zevival cottare built in Reading through the 1850's. matiene ain ato eien- tegrity of location, desizn, settins, materials, workmanshi?, and feelins, and meets Criteria -Band C of the National Pegister. Staple to Inventory form at bottom 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 recelved/4lat date entered Page 3-f9 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Reading Multiple Resource Area Middlesex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review 21. Beard, Benjamin, House Entered in the National Register 22.

Boston and Maine Railroad Depot 23. Bowser Gazebo Entered in tha Natlona? Register. Entered in the National Register 24. Brackett House boral In tha -.-1=. Arrirs 25. Brande House Entered 1i u.u National Register 26. Brooks, Francis, House Entered in the National Register 27. Carroll-Hartshorn House 28. Carter Mansion 29. Coggin, Gilman, House 30. Cook, Asa M., House Entored in the Nationel Register Entered in the National Register Entered in the National Register Fisre?

Tr The Register Date/Signature Jrsceper AumuByur 7/12/84 Attest freeper Sebußyan 1/0l64 Attest fKeeper AuluByur 1/19184 Attest KKeeper Aelunaßgur 7/19/84 Attest Keeper SelreBgen 119184 Attest Kieeper AubreBgua 119184 Attest fkeeper DulruaByer 71194184 Attest HKeeper AilreByua 1119/80 Attest Hkeeper DeluresByera 1119/84 Attest fkeeper Delouaßyen7119/80 Attest WASO Form - 177 ("'R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Ref.# 84002505 Beard, Benja min, House (Reading MRA) Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: - sample Reviewer's comments: - request Working No.. JUN 4 1984 Fed. Reg. Date: 2/5 Date Due: 7-5 -84 2-19-84 Action: -ACCEPT 7-19-57 Entered in Matione1 Regester - RETURN _ REJECT - Federal Agency:.

Lappeal LNR 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 J excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one - 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 Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Builder/Architect 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 Lieerd Beyenun, A Realin MIRA Ma B84 25% Ash st.

:TS 123 - 6> PLAT 43 90.0 9 a 10,918 90.0 30 10.0 AVON 82.0 10 8,225~ 68.30 120.0 12 STREET 80.0 12a 9 291.51 22,156 32,300 N IN 1.989 Acres 24,185 245.40 203.32 63.0 104.62 90.10 60.36 60.0 76.83 TTo 57 681 191.00 26 40,243 217.83 20,291 80 17 23,368 170 56.16 3385 19,597 57.4 3 65.0 16a 27 164.89 12 g8 18 S1 13 10,500 65.0 113.50 13a 23,351 51.23 131.00 5,500 |4a3 <51 80.0 E 13 .0 9,199 STREET 79.77 130.79 + 14 92 11,400 14b 130.47 65.30/9 1,954 226.30 15 19,000 225.50 60.5 16 269 ASH 13,607 96.69 7,773 16b 23 59 79.16 13,421 28 149.13 2,20| 29 134.32 30 SHACKFORD 92.0 25 14,150 19 le> 30 10(i0 15,300 10 36.03 53,51 20 25d - 96 177.50 11,208 2230 20 70 #B-84 251Ash St.

Map 27, Lot 13 1983 Assessors Map = 100° 65.0 06,500 16c® 65.0 17 ROAD 143.11° 10,224 2la 76.39 66.08 3,93l 21 3> 25.0 17,054 71.53 16 25c PLAT 79.88 N 23a 149.04 22 PLAT 44 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000290