BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
FORM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 294 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 Area Form no. 221 Reading eSS 107 Grove Street oric Name Joseph Parker House Original Dwelling Present Dwelling Arship: * Private individual Private organization Public Original owner Joseph Parker / Loea Parker RIPTION: -Date Before 1795 Source Map of 1795 Style Federal vernacular/Greek Revival Architect Na Exterior wall fabric_Clapboard Outbuildings_Attached garage Major alterations (with dates) Series ef extensions, door enframement, shed roof dermer, porch west, extension rear Moved: no Date Approx. acreage 17,026 sa. ft. Recorded by Arch EsÄryation Setting At corner of two 17th and 18th Associates Organization_ Reading Historical century roads - faces south.
Date NOREVISED Commission 1980 Date 6/87 19/326840/4711300 (Staple additional sheets here) ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within community) Federal in all but its door enframement, this house probably was built c. 1795, It was either remodeled c. 1808, or added to at that time. Federal vernacular features include the massing, small windows at second floor level touching the plate, and the boxed cornice. The central door enframement was a Greek Revival alteration:, fluted architrave surround and square corner blocks flank half-length side- lights. This treatment was more often applied to one and one-half theslerwers twedn eearr state"listory lings.
and how the building relates to the development of the community) This house marks an 18th century settlement node, and is probably the house represented on the map of 1795, owned by Joseph Parker. It is likely that the house was remodeled in 1808. 1 150o - Simon Nichols, Sr., who married Joseph Parker's daughter, Mary, owned it next. He lived at 193-195 High Street and was a cooper. Simon Nichols, Jr., sold the property in 1808 to Loea Parker, a year after Parker's marriage to Anna Bancroft. Her brother, Nehemiah, lived down the road at 68 Grove Street and purchased the saw mill known as "Slab City mill," having begun its operation before 1720. Loea died at Fort Independence, Boston harbof, durinthe house was the War of 1812. His wife also died in 1814. In 1875 owned by F. Howard Gilson, an early experimenter in photography.
He recorded many of Reading's ancient trees in Irees Of Reading, Massachusetts, published by himself in 1888. From 1910 through 1932 the homestead served as the vacation home of urban youngsters when the Fathers' and Mothers' Club owned it. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES 1795 map Parker 1830 map yes 1854 map F. Buck (Franklin) 1875 map J. Clark (Joshua) 1889 map F. H. Gilson (F. Howard) Bishop, Rooftrees Chapter '43 Pitkin, Vignettes, photo p. 38 INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity : Form No: Readins D-221 Property Name: 107 Grove St. Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION This property is significant (1) as part of an 18th-century node of settlemant in this part of town; (2) for its connection with the locally prominent Parker and lichols families, and particularly lar of 1812 veteran Loea Parker, and with early photographer F. Howard Gilson; (3) for its role as the Fathers' and llothers" Club's summer retreat for urban children; and (4) as a good example of vernacular Federal architecture. It retains integrity of design, location, setting, materils, workmanship, and feelins, and meets Criteria .A, 3, 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 received citlgy date entered Page Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Reading Multiple Resource Area Middlesex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review 71. Parker, Joseph, House 72. Parker, William, House 73. Pierce House 74. Pierce Organ Pipe Factory 75. Pratt House 76. Pratt, Stillman, House 77. Reading Municipal Building Entered In the 78. Reading Municipal Liight and Watlonal Register fuKeeper Power Station Entered in the Nationel Register 79. Roberts House 80.
Rowhouses at 256-274 Haven Street Entered In t5e Nationel Registet Date/Signature Entered in the National Register foeper duenBud4-184 Attest Entered in the National Register fKeeper AeluuByen-19-54 Attest Entered In the National Register fKeeper AuleuByunh-15-+1 Attest Entered In the National Register fReeper SelrerBgun7-146 Attest Entered in the National Register fokeeper AlloreByur 7-1564 Attest Entered in the Nationel Begiister fokeeper AuorBgun119-84 Attest Entered In the NationalRegistonfotteeper AilursByen711+4 Attest AllvuDyen 119-84 Attest fKeeper emrByen 14984 Attest feeper delauaByen 1-19-84 Attest WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET RJ #84002781 Parker, Joseph, House (Reading MRA) Middlesex County MASSA CHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: -sample request Working No.
Fed. Reg. Date: 61,84 Date Due: 158Y- 7/19/84 Action: -ACCEPT 7-19-5F Entered in the _RETURN Nat1onal Register .REJECT- Federal Agency: - Jappeal -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 -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 Joriginal 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 FORM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION | IXXIII8 294 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 Area Form no. 226 Reading (#27) 420 Franklin Street Name Joseph Parker/House ginal Dwelling Isent Dwelling p:@ Private individual Private organization Public ftginal owner_Joseph Parker TION: location in relation to nearest cross streets and other buildings OI geographical features. -Date 1711 Source" -Rooftrees Style_ First Period Architect n/a Exterior wall fabric Wood shingles Outbuildings_ Barn c. 1857: Major alterations (with dates)_Ell to barn 1840's, entry on west fenestra- tion, on east c. 1960, dormer: chimney removed Moved Date Approx. acreage Iwo acres- Recorded by Architectural Preservation.
Setting_Facing south, large chestnut Associates Organization Reading Historical Commission trees in yard. Date Novembe REVISED Date6-82 19/325990/4712460. (Staple additional sheets here) ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within community) This house is something of a puzzle, being only three-bays wide. Though not common in Reading, three-bay houses built before 1800 were constructed three-pay heus so that a second set of rooms could be added on the other side of the front door, making that opening central. Here, however, the entrance :is on one side. It is unknown if the house was built this way or altered at a later date. The windows have been altered at least twice, though they are still relatively small on the second floor, and placed against the boxed gutter.
The eaves line appears to have been altered in the late 19th century. HYSTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community) Added to the architectural puzzle is the question of: why, if it was standing here since the third decade of the 18th century, was it left off of the map made in 1765? There is some evidence that this was indeed an early 18th century Parker farmstead sending sons off to the Revolution, as well as one son to become the innkeeper owner of the Parker Tavern (103 Washing- ton Street)- Nathan Parker of: Ash Street bought the farm for speculative purposes. It was farmed into the 20th century. In the 1950's this large tract was developed: Blueberry Lane was opened and built upon. The following decade saw the opening of Pasture Road for. suburban homes.
Ellen Nelson, Wife of Fred Nelson, a well known local artist, established the Red Farm Studio in 1947 at this property. The business was sold in 1959. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES 1795 map - J. Parker (Joseph) (Jr.) 1830 map yes 1854 map John G. Hutchinson 1875 map J. G. Hutchinson 1889 map J. G. Hutchinson Bishop, Rooftrees, Chapter 35 Howarc, Loea Parker, The J. C. Hutchinson House, Franklin Street, Reading, lonshand notes, 1933. INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity: Form No: Reading D-225 Property Name: 420 Franklin St. Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
CRIBERIA FOR EVALUATION The Josenh Parker House is significant (1) for its role as an early 10th century homestead; (2) for its connection with the locally prominent Parker family, and with local artist Ellen Ielson; (3) Îor its very early Cate; and (4) as a relatively intact example of First-period architecture. It retains integrity of location, general design, reneral setting, workmanship, and feeling, and meets Criteria A, 3, and C of the National Register. 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 received date entered 4/+/r1 Page 747 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Reading Multiple Resource Area Middlesex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review 61. Nichols, James, House 62. Nichols, Richard, House 63. Octagon House Entered in the National Register Entered in the National Register Entered In tha National Register Intered In tfa Nationel degister 64. Old Hose House 65. Parker, Capt. Nathaniel, Red House 66. Parker House (52 Salem St.) 67. Parker, Joseph, House 68. Parker, Samuel, House Entered in the National Register Entered in the National Register Entered in the National Register Entered in the batiere1 Aogister 69. Parker, Stillman, House Entered in the National Register 70.
Parker House (316 Haven St.) Entered in the National Register Date/Signature Tieeper AilarBgun 7-19+4 Attest Jaseeper Attest JKeeper diloraBye 2-19-54 dleloreByur 219-54 Attest fseeper DelouaByen 719-54 Attest feseeper Attest fKeeper AulouBgun 4/:944 AuluuBpun 719-44 Attest fukeeper AeluuaByin 719-54 Attest foKeeper Attest fKeeper AuluuByun 21914 delByen 2-19+4 Attest fuseeper AelmuBye 119-54 Attest WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RJ.#84002781 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Parker, Joseph, House (Reading MRA) Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Lsample Reviewer's comments: request Working No. JUN 4 1984 Fed. Reg. Date: - 2/5/85 Date Due: _ 7 -S 84 2-19-84 Action: LACCEPT 7-19-84 Entered in the -RETURN.
Natlonal RedsralAgency: - -REJECT. Jappeal 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 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 I 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 Palu, 420 Franklin St. -a Jesenh A Le. 107 Grove st. 11.264 Acres 2 308 5q.F+ Y10.2° 240.30 258.20 44Z5 1.464 Acres 148.34 97.0 40.85x 58.78x ST. 58.23 4 179.16 111.95 16,221 5q.Ft. 4003 32.44 1970 90.0 10,386 6 130.0 10.031 7 135 50.48 485. 60.0 14,518 74.71 127.96 10,193 8 41.68 14,806 10 N 45.0 51.51 17,026 109 9 PLAN INFORMATION COMPILED FROM RECORO DATA, FOR ASSESSMENT PURPOSES ONLY 319. 5 2.916 Acres 343.18 201.56 15,910 12 139 139.441 1'I'33 30 50 1180 4). o22 1458 80.G4 6,000 21 100 6,000 20 100 13,000 19 100 18 M 5000 100 8984 17 98.08 50 50 105.8= *15 14 50.3 50.3 50.3 GROVE N #D-221 107 Grove St.
Map 128, Lot 09 1983 Assessors Map 1" = 301.15 (2101 1857 143 30'WIDE 42.80 TS BLUEBERRY 21 1.693 / Acrés EASEMENT / 2º/ / 3IO-52EASEMENT 167.27 116.83 30 LANE 115.53.99x42.96 DRAIN 24,224 218.66 I0 27,308 T20.0 ASTURE 150.47 81.34 15 33,450 19.565 -38.67 256.65 16 249.97 9 110.0T 100.64 35,536 27,694 10.0-2 n1916 260 263.87 PLAT 192 97.79 EASEMENT 32878 8 109.50 100.33 32 29,069 271.34 10.77z 7 29,187 30 DRAIN 268.32 EASEMENT 120.0 ROAD 120.0 93.36 107.67 0222 20 10G 21,00 BLUEBERRY LANE 191 PLAT 97.18 174.34 WILLIAM ROAD 4.1,1979 $.1,1975 1.1,1973 L 1,1972 1967 REVISFDUNDFR THF DIRECTION *EADING BOARP OF ASSESSORS PY LAND SURVEY SERVICE -INC BOSTON, MASS 2.07 Acres 311.45 420 FRANKLIN PLAT 190 #D-226 420 Franklin St Map 178, Lot 01 1983 Assessors Map 1" = 1001 LA INFORMATION COMPI FOR ASSESSMENT Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000290