Nomination for Bigelow 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 JAN 2 5 1985 date entered FEB 2 | 1985 historic Bigelow School and/or common same 2. Location street & number 350 West Fourth Street city, town Boston (South Boston) n/a vicinity of n/anot for publication state Massachusetts 3.

Classification code 025 county Suffolk code 025 Category Ownership _district - public x building(s)X private structure both site Public Acquisition object n/ a in process being considered Status - occupied X unoccupied - work in progress Accessible - yes: restricted x yes: unrestricted _ no Present Use _ agriculture commercial _educational _ entertainment _ government _ industrial military museum park private residence religious - scientific transportation X other: Vacantschool 4. Owner of Property name Urban Renaissance Properties street & number 50 Berkeley Street Boston city, town n/a vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description Massachusetts state courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Suffolk County Registry of Deeds street & number Pemberton Square city, town Boston state MA 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys title 1) Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth of Massachusettn determined eligible? Massachusetts date 1981 #SB-536 x state - yesxno county - local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state MA 7. Description Bigelow School , Boston, MA Condition excellent -good _fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one X unaltered altered Check one X original site moved date n/a Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Bigelow School is located at the corner of West Fourth Street and E Street in the South Boston neighborhood of Boston. The surrounding neighborhood is characterized by smaller one and two family detached frame residences built primarily between 1860-1900. One block to the west is the "D" Street Housing Project. The school's designer was City Architect Charles J. Bateman; it was constructed in 1901 in the Classical Revival style. The building is an approximately 50,000 square foot structure on four floors including a raised basement. The building which has a footprint of roughly 12,500 square feet sits in a school yard of 44,139 square feet. The structure is sited to the extreme right of the property with minimal front and side yard setbacks. The building is a stunted U in plan with the recessed open service court at the rear. Classrooms are located off a central lobby.

The fourth floor, typical of period schools, has a sizable assembly hall and stage. The building is made of tan brick with masonry lintels, stills and stairs, and decorative elements, generally of Warsaw bluestone. The school is treated as a symmetrical block (nine bays by twelve bays) with the raised basement separated by masonry belt courses, and first floor with brick executed in a rusticated and voussoir pattern. The two upper floors are smooth-faced tan brick with rusticated quoins at corners and projecting entry elements. It has a flat roof. The main entrance facade, on Fourth Street (photo #1 & 2), is arranged in a tripartite scheme each with three bays. Steps lead to an inset central entry porch with banded brick piers that support a classicizing entablature with name plate.

On the upper floors full order pilasters flank paired windows separated at floor levels by balustrades; the centerpiece is completed with a triangular pediment breaking the neoclassical cornice. The lateral bays have regular fenestration system of single, double hung windows with flared lintels set with keystones. The side elevations, on E Street (easterly, photo #3 ) and along the parking and play yard (westerly, photo #4 ) are regularly organized. Side entrances at ground level (beside smaller windows indicating interior stairways) interrupt the regular fenestration pattern similar to that on the Fourth Street elevation. The E Street elevation differs slightly with a projecting doorway in a pedimented frame. On these side elevations, quoins subtly set off the main block from the "U" ends at the rear of the building (photo #5 ).

These terminate in 4 bay wide elevations, articulated by corner quoins and the same fenestration pattern as on other elevations. The recessed service court has an irregular window pattern, fire escape, chimney, and other such appurtenances. There have been few changes to the building exteriors. Wooden screens, typical of Boston schools, exist; doors have been converted to metal clad fire-proof type. Deterioration is largely limited to window frames and sash and spalled blue stone ornament. 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 Bigelow School Item number OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received date entered FEB 2 1985 Page 1 Given the size of the school yard, it is possible that significant archaeological remains may have survived.

Expected resources would include foundations and features from early to mid 19th century residences and evidence of the original 1850 school.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Bigelow School , joston, MA Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 X1900 Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below archeology-prehistoric - community planning X archeology-historic conservation 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 1901 Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) Builder/Architect Charles J. Bateman The Bigelow School retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship. Built in 1902, it is significant as one of the most representative examples of a Classical Revival School and as a representative example of Charles J. Bateman, noted Boston Architect, who served as City Architect from 1893-94 and again in 1898. As such, it meets criteria A & C of the National Register of Historic Places. By the turn of the century, South Boston had developed into a highly cosmopolitan community, containing a diverse population characterized by strong religious traditions. The area housed more churches, both Catholic and Protestant, than any other region of its size in America. A total of 23 schools supported a population of 70,000 in 1900. Ten years later the population peaked at over 100,000.

(Today the population is 40,000 and the population decline has resulted in numerous school closings.) The emergence of Classical Revival architecture in the late 19th c. was heralded by the Boston Public Library, 1888-95, whose construction influenced a series of monumental classical building designs, including Symphony Hall, 1900, South Station, 1899, and the New England Conservatory, 1901. The Classical Revival period coincided with demographic shifts in Boston as the City became more of a pluralistic society, accomodating the increased immigrant population especially the Irish. These changes also affected the architecture of public schools in Bostow design reforms led by Edmund Wheelwright, City Architect in 1891 and 1895. As architect and author on the subject, Wheelwright's works influenced his colleague's school designs in forthright function and stylistic simplicity.

Bateman's Bigelow School reflects these principles. A view of the Bigelow was contained in the 1901 edition of Toomey's History of South Boston: "This building is one of the finest in the city, having, besides seventeen school rooms, a science room, exhibition hall, gymnasium, shower-bath room, lunch room, teachers' room, masters' room, sub-master's rooms and library. The building is constructed of buff brick and Warsaw Bluestone trimmings and is fitted with all of the most modern facilities for heating, lighting and ventilating." Charles J. Bateman who served as City Architect in 1893-94 and again in 1898 was the architect for the building. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1851, Bateman was educated at Cambridge public schools and at M.I.T. While at 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References 1. Gillespie, C. B. Illustrated History of South Boston. 2. Hamlin, A. D. F. Modern School Houses. New York, 1910. 3. Toomey, John H. History of South Boston. Boston, 1901. 4. Tucci, D. S. Built in Boston, Boston, 1978. 5. Wheelwright, E M School Architecture Boston, 1901 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property one acre Quadrangle name - Boston South UT M References A 1,9 13|3713,321 Zone Easting Quadrangle scale 1:25,000 14,69 1 0| 68 91 Northing Zone Easting LILLL Northing CLL E LILLLL FLULILU LIILL HLULLLLIL Verbal boundary description and justification The property is bounded to the northeast by Silver Street, to the Southeast by E Street, to the Southwest by West 4th Street, and to the Northwest by the property line of Assessor's parcel #7225 which it is.

List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state n/a code n/a county n/a code n/a state code county code 11. Form Prepared By name/title Sarah Zimmerman, Director of by Urban Consulting Associgtston Preservation Planning Boston Landmarks Commission organization Massachusetts Historical Commissiondate May, 1984 street & number 294 Washington St. Boston city or town telephone (617) 727-8470 state MA 02109 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 accordingto tleecriteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. State Historic Preservation Officer signature ValuiA lalmage title State Historic Preservation Officer dato anverej 7,1985 For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register delaus Entered Mational Reglster date 2-21-85 date Attest: Chief of Registration NPS Form 10.900-8 (3-82) .

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 Far NPS use anly received date entered Continuation sheet : Bigelow Schoo1 Item number 8; 6 Page 1 Boston, MA M.I.T., he worked for the firm of Faulkner and Clarke. His first position upon graduation was with George Ropes of Kansas. In 1876 Bateman began his own practice in Boston where he practiced until 1932. Bateman was a tremendously prolific and diverse architect who was very active during Boston's high growth period from 1880-1910. In his private practice he designed several period homes, fron single family to large multi-family buildings including wooden triple deckers in Roxbury and Dorchester and brick row houses in the South End, Beacon Hill, Charlestown and the North End.

He did some institutional work while in private practice, including the original Carney Hospital in South Boston, St. Cecilia's in the Back Bay, St. Catherine's in Charlestown and the Church of the Most Precious Blood in Hyde Park. School, the George Putnam School, Auburn Street School, Hamel Street School, The 0 Street school and the Charlestown Fire-house. By the time he retired 1932, Bateman had made a significant contribution to Boston's architecture having built a variety of styles in nearly every neighborhood of the City. A public school building has been standing on this same site for one hundred and thirty-four years. The first school was built in 1850 and was named for the Honorable John P. Bigelow who was then Mayor of Boston (1849-51). Bigelow also served as Secretary of State and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The original Bigelow school was for girls and was taught by a master and seven female assistants. Mr. Frederick Crafts was the first master, and was succeeded by Mr. Joseph Hale in August, 1852. In 1899 the original building was razed to make room for the present structure. The present school closed in 1976 and will be rehabilitated into housing under the provisions of the Economy Recovery Act of 1981. Section 6. Representation in Existing Surveys South Boston Preservation Survey 1981 local Boston Landmarks Commission Boston, MA WEST 290/498 29, 2995 1448 4335 CRAWLEX ROGERS WAY STREET POLICE STATION N°6 13,025 1860 4079 246 780265 < 3676 3624 PAGE'S COURTA 3337 19,188 2817 PAYSON BROADWAY 253 19C5 1829 261 4368 32g 1921 N1709 1J8 355/ SHERMAN C 37P0 1992 -SHERMAN CT. WEST 1780 EeEiT WRIGHTS SS, 2:54 5005 303 TEBE 1886 317 4257 18g.

180 1i7g 3378 N 20138 1450 .7 329 331A331 1996 6270 - CHURCH Koos 3517 152/ 6176 SILVER 19, =410g * 308 312 314|316 44,135 BIGELOW SCHOOL (EL.) WEST _2282 1967 335 345/3- 2595 1700 87160 HARDING CT 8/75 16' 2007 3/62 0 775y 1,6% Nº350 11,8.940 WEST T7/ OT 20,247 BIGELOW SCHOOL 350 WEST FOURTH STREET SOUTH BOSTON City of Boston Topographic & Plainimetric Survey Sheet 23 N - 13 E 1" = 100' 3SS -0 BOMNN 1313 1080 9060 WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Bigelow School Suffolk County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: sample request Working No.- JAN 25 1985 Fed. Reg. Date: 2.4.86 Date Due: _ 185 --311/s Action: LACCÉPT _ 2-21-85 Entered 1p 1 tha RETURN. Mationa1 Heglsten 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 - original site J moved date 8.

Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) J summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria of areas checked relating significance to the resource context J relationship of integrity to significance Jjustification 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 date 13.

Other L 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 BUILDING FRONT AND EASTERLY SIDE (Corner of E & 4th) BIGELOW SCHOOL -350w.4thST. S0. POSTON JOHN WEIS#. 3/10|84 "FRONT & EDSTERLY" 1800 - g CELOW S OOL- 900 NO THESPASSICC CITY- BOS TON THREE , TIERED ENTRANCE WAY 4th STREET BGELOW GCHOO JoHM WELS - 350 3/10/84 #2- 3o. "TWREE TIERE) ENTRANCE" EASTERLY FACADE AND ENTRANCE E STREET BIGELOW GCHOOL _ 350 WEST FOURTH So.BOsTON JOHNWEIS 3/10/84#3 "EABTERLY FACADE"" WESTERLY FACADE AND ENTRANCE (Existing Parking Lot Side) BIGELOW SCHOOL - 350 w. S0. BOSTON JOHN WELS 83/60/84 #4 "WESTERLY FACADE" BUILDING REAR (From West Broadway) BIGELOW SCHOOL -350 W.4t41 So.BOSTOM JOHN WEIAS- 3/10/84 "BUILDING REAR"