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 XXXII-21 Area C Form no. 94 cross streets and other buildings Reading ess 55 Hopkins Street- foric Name Walnut Street School Original school Present theater arship:- Private individual Private organization Ouannapowitt Players Public Original owner Scheol District #] CRIPTION: Date 1853 Source Chronicle Italianate Style_ Architect -- Exterior wall fabric clapboards Outbuildings -d FOKINS Recorded by Architectural Preservation Associates Organization_ Reading Historical Date Novembet"30', Date 2/14/84 Major alterations (with dates) altered: by Horace G. Wadlin in 1883: porch. entrances and interior plan changed, cellar dug Moved Approx. acreage yes Date 1883 16,110 sa. ft.
faces south toward old, Setting_ road 19/326900/4708180 (Staple additional sheets here) ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within community) This mid-19th century building's appearance dates largely to 1884, when it was extensively remodeled: a second floor was removed, and the side porches were added. It illustrates the type of small, wooden schoolhouse so preval- ent in Reading's past, but rare now, even those that have been reused. Notable details include the delicate dentil course at cornice level, running below a modillion course on the eaves, and between paired brackets on the raking gables end.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community) This building was not the first school in the area -- a school built in 1834 on the corner of Summer Avenue and Walnut Street served the south school dis- trict until 1853. It was moved to the address now known as 167 Washington Street, to make way for the construction of this schoolhouse. Regarded as a model district schoolhouse, it cost $2,600-2,700 to build, including the bell and grading. The district school system was abolished in 1864, and the school's name was changed from "Hill End" to "Walnut Street." Reference to an expense for a bell wheel implies that the school had a bell tower. Thomas Jefferson Mayall built a grand residence on Summer Avenue.
He was instrumental in changing the name of the thoroughfare from "street" to "ave- nue," and he favored the removal of the school from the triangle of land bordered by Walnut Street, Hopkins Street, and Summer Avenue, because the removal of gravel from around the school made the area unsightly. Contro- versy followed, and it was not until 1883 that the Chronicle reported that the school had been moved to a lot on Hopkins Street. Horace G. Wadlin, the prominent local architect, remodeled the interior after removing the second story, and added the side entry porches. With a new site and a new appear- ance, a new name seemed in order, so the school was renamed the "Chestnut Hill School." It served the community well until 1944, when the small, rural ,schoolhouse was being regarded as inadequate for the expanding functions and equipment necessary for a good elementary education.
*In 1962, the Quannapowitt Players bought the school for $3,900. It is used as a community theater, but still retains the exterior appearance of a frame schoolhouse. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Bishop, Schoolhouse for Ninety-Six Years Chronicle, Aug. 4, 1949 20M-2/80 INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commnity: Reaaing Property Name: Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. Form No: C-94 -- CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION This building is significant (1) for its long history as a public school; (2) for its updating by notable architect and school committee member Horace G. Wadlin; and (3) for its retention of l9th-century architectural details. It retains integrity of general location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and feeling, and meets Critera A, B, 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 recelved 4(4/sf date entered Page Ý afy Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Reading Multiple Resource Area Middlesex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review 81. Sanborn, Rev. Peter, Houseuntered in the National Register 82. Symonds, Thomas, House 83. Temple, Joseph, House 84. Temple, Mark, House 85. Walnut Street School Entered in tho Nationel Begi.stai Intered in Hatione? Begtster Ertered in the National Register Ertered in the National Register 86. Wells, Charles, House 87. Weston, Ephrain, House 88. Weston, Jabez, House 89. Wisteria Lodge Entered in the Nat1ona? Begtster Entered in the Nationa?
Register Entered in the National Register Entered 1n the Natlonal Registez freeper Date/Signature AueanBzu 7197, Attest fseeper AilunByen 7-19+5 Attest foseeper dilvrBgen +19-54 Attest ftkeeper AeluuBigua 1-11-54 Attest fakeeper AilueByen 719+4 Attest tkeeper AeloueBozun 119-54 Attest f'Keeper deloreByun +19-54 Attest fKeeper AeureBgun 719-64 Attest fKeeper skeloußyen 21964 Attest Keeper Attest WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ry#EH002E41 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Walnut Street School (Reading MRA) Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: L sample Lrequest Working No.- JUN 4 1984 Fed. Reg. Date: Date Due: 19587 - 1/19/84 Action: VACCEPT 7-19-5+ Enter the - RETURN- Nat1ona?
Register REJECT- Federal Agency: _ Lappeal 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 - 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 J 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 Walort -St.Sehro - MRA Ma C-94 53' Hoptins st. 7 15,567 171.29 68 1.00 38 00'LS 45,290 44.34 102.00 63.69 71 14,667 8L2E, 22.70 165.56 70 12,954 69 45,70 38.3 23.00 213,245 12,753 127.00 39.27 112.66 55.99 \ 51,95 1250 53 HAYSTACK 135.00 107,09 162.80 7 90 48 77.93 49 50 14405 22,132 3.03. -69 62 6 7.87 - - 30AI 197.89= 81 39.04 103.10 13,182 190° $80 80.06 23.00 19.00 12,552 :79 181,6 resiva 4) 50.00 14,657 100.00 78 184 15,404 37.00 80,00 25,87 33,560 Sq. F+ 117.83 76.06 27.28 117.83 102.00 73 72 12,846 127.00 10. 74 10,548 16.28 30g. 52.6l 1073 12,354 75 -20.0 127.00 102.00 102.00 ROAD 135.29 29,68 56 107.00 102.00 91.00 39.27 55 96.93 10,917 10,506 66.00 5l 24,63l 149.28 29.42 53.70 GATEWAY CIR.
89.97 20.75 111.29 54 67.00 95.68 10,328 21.84 91.75 84.91 106.75 52 838 53 22,509 39,756 11.26 13 180.08 1109:95 894 182.70 16,110 S4 F+. 148 5 43.07 93.72 124.70E 68.75 84.15 4a c21 Sq. Ft 64.68 153 3 150. 90.74 4b 10,387 Sq 49.88 45 90.00 141. 83 11,640 9 179.0 50.15 St. 42871499 84 12,676 207.98 111.78 7B 108. 48.27 7 10,882 .ag 151.81 00 71.51 83 4L.14 10,000 44,06 10,000 80.00 318. 15.28 16 11,424 GS oT0 6a .g01 76 00'g11 10,000 +6 Sq. Ft 64. 15 10,221 ,35.25 77.54 HOPKINS 58.65 85.25 PLAT 12 #C-94 55 Hopkins St. Map 11, Lot 05 1983 Assessors Map 1" = 100° 108.62 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000290