Nomination for Saugus Town Hall

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 MAY 23 1985 date entered JUN 2O 1985 historic Saugus Town Hall and or common same 2. Location street & number Central Street NA not for publication city, town Saugus NA vicinity of state Massachusetts 3.

Classification code 025 county Essex code 009 Category district x building(s) structure site object Ownership x public - private both Public Acquisition in process being considered Status x occupied -unoccupied - work in progress Accessible Xyes: restricted - yes: unrestricted no -Present Use - agriculture _ commercial educational entertainment X government industrial military museum park private residence religious scientific _transportation .other: 4. Owner of Property name Town of Saugus street & numberCentral Street city, town Saugus NAvicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Essex County Registry of Deeds street & number 32 Federal Street city, town Salem 6. Representation in Existing Surveys state Massachusetts titie Massachusetts Historical Commission has this property been determined eligible?

Inventory _ yes x no date 1967 _ federal X state county - local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission, 80 Boylston Street Boston, MA city, town state 7. Description Saugus Town Hall, Saugus, MA Condition - excellent -good * fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one - unaltered * altered Check one x original site - moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

Saugus Town Hall is an impressive and locally important example of High Victorian style architecture, Builtin 1875, the 2½storystructure withaipartially.excavated,: coursed granite basement is faced with flush wooden board and capped with a steeply pitched compound gable roof in an H configuration. The building's picturesque massing is further enhanced by two tent roof cupolas with finials; one prominently located at the front, and one placed at the rear. The roof is sheathed with banded decorative green and grey slate tiles. The cornice is bracketed and a wealth of Victorian ornamentation adorns the facades. Elongated windows on the first story have bracketed hoodmoldings and panelled lintels.

Most second story windows are sur- mounted by decoratively incised, bracketed wood pedimented hoodmolds, The central banded multiple window arrangement on the second level of the front (west) facade has a bracketed pedimented hoodmold with a gable fan and much incised and applied detailing on surrounding window elements. Attic windows include two dormered windows with gable trim and two small triangular windows on the front facade of the building. A wooden water table and panelled coursing separate the basement and first level, while flushboard coursing divides the first from the second level. Three main entrances, one on the front (west) and two on the side (north and south) facades, are defined by granite stairs with scalloped foot rails and elaborate columned porches with bracketing and modillions. The building is oriented at a northeast angle facing a town square. Located on.

the Town Hall grounds are several memorials: World War I, Vietnam, and a time capsule. - The building has a remarkable degree of integrity. All exterior work, with the exception of plugs for blown-in insulation and aluminum siding and window alterations . at the. rear, appears original. The interior is in good condition and retains many of its original details and layout. Particularly noteworthy is the craftsmanship and detail in the main lobby, staircases, town meeting hall, gallery, and stage areas of the building. Upon the 1877 dedication of the Town Hall, various town offices such as selectmen, town clerk, treasurer and school conmittee were located in the first story space. The main meeting hall with gallery and stage was located on the second story.

Today, much of this office space remains on the first floor although additional interior partitioning on both levels to create more office space began in the 1960's and con- tinued throughout the 1970's. No original decorative material such as roof trusses or ante-rooms have been destroyed. The new office space created in the second floor meeting hall is contained in nine foot high partitioned and ceilinged units built by vocational education students. The town built these offices as an energy efficient solution to the problem of heating the large meeting hall. While not necessarily sensitive, the alterations are of a reversible and non-detrimental nature. In 1977, the town allocated $5,000 for repairs and it was at this time the rear facade was sided with aluminum and the building was insulated. The minor alterations which have ocurred in the building are reversible and recent.

An exterior plaque located on the south side of the main (west) stair com- memorates a Works Progress Administration project of 1938-39. The scope of the project was minor and little information exists detailing the project.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Saugus Town Hall, Saugus, MA Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 x 1800-1899 1900 Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below archeology-prehistoric x. community planning archeology-historic conservation - agriculture economics X architecture X education art engineering commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention Builder Architect Lord & Fuller landscape architecture law literature military music philosophy xpolitics government religion science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates 1875 Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) The Saugus Town Hall, located in Saugus Center, attains significance with respect to two NRHP criterion - A and C. The Town Hall, as an important civic building and as a centrally located structure, directly relates to the development of the Saugus conmunity; while, as an impressive and important example of the High Victorian Style designed by regionally noteworthy architectural firm Lord & Fuller, the building achieves architectural distinction. The Town of Saugus was originally divided into three sections - Saugus Center, East Saugus, and Cliftondale.

While the East Saugus and Cliftondale sections of the town expanded through shoe manufacturing and tobacco-growing respectively, Saugus Center developed through the production of both shoes and woolen goods, as well as other manufacturing enterprises including a hair factory which processed animal hair for use as an additive for plaster and for weaving into textiles. In addition, transportation fostered the commercial and civic development of the Center. At mid-19th century the Saugus Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad had extended from Malden, the Saugus Station was located on Central Street three blocks from Central Square, the heart of Saugus Center. Central Square was the major intersection of routes north from Boston to Salem and it connected with the New- bury Turpike. All these factors produced great local growth.

The town of Saugus erected its first Town Hall on Main Street (near the square) in 1837. The Greek Revival style structure, now home to a civic group, was later moved to Taylor St. It was built to serve a community of 750, which by the last quarter of the 19th century had grown to more than 2,000. A new town hall was built in 1875 to serve" -..the needs of a progressive and growing municipality". At the same time that the Saugus Town Hall was built to fulfill govermental functions, the Town's high school was becoming inadequate to a growing school population. It was therefore proposed to have the Town Hall also serve as a "High School House". It was also deemed most efficalcious to house the Public Library within the same building. Continued 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Saugus Town Records Boston Public Library Files Saugus News, March 3, 1877 Hurd, D. Hamilton, History of Essex County, Philadelphia,1888. Haley. P. and Suagus Board of Selectmen, Visit Saugus, Cradle of American Industr 10. Geographical Data Saugus, 1938. Acreage of nominated property - less than 1 acre Quadrangle name Boston North Quadrangle scale 1:25,000 UT M References ALIel 13/314/716101 417/013/11610 B Zone Easting Northing Zone LLILL Easting LILILLL Northing D E F GLULLILL LILILLL HLJLLILULILILIL Verbal boundary description and justification The property is bounded on the west by Central St., on the north by Taylo St., and on the south by Woodbury Street: The east boundary is contiguous with the property line dividing the Town Hall and the Police Station at the eastern end of the block detined by Central, Taylor, Woodbury and Foster Sts.

Boundaries are clear with List axcstates and countiessor fromerties bveraboing state 6i dounl Ifuridattéon is a non-contributing state code county Victordode Structure. state code county code 11. Form Prepared By name/title Kevin Murphy, Susan Hollister, Jon MacClaren, Mary Malaguti, Private Consultants organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date March 1985 street & number 80 Boylston Street telephone 617-727-8470 city or town Boston, state Mass. 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national - state X local As the designated StateHistoric Preservation Officer forthe 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 according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. State Historic Preservation Oticer signature Valuie A. dlmage xecutil Directr, Mass Ihst. Canm.

date 5/22/85 For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Xulvres Entered in the f ooper of the National rgter National Register date 6-20-85- Attest: date Chief of Registration GPO 894-785 NPS Form 10-900-a (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 For NPS use only received date entered Continuation sheet Saugus Town Hall, Saugus, MA Item number 8 Page 1 In June, 1874 the Building Conmittee was charged with finding "the most eligible" location for the Town Hall. Later in the same year, at town meeting, a warrant was proposed to move the adjacent old Town Hall and High School on Main Street and to build the new Town Hall on their former Icoation.

Evidently the committee decided this site was not sufficiently prominent for the new IownHall. In June of 1874 a site was selected at the corner of Central Street and Woodbury Avenue. The Town Hall could rise at this important junction where an "island" in the intersection provided a locatior for monuments that, with the Town Hall, could create a symbolic civic "center". The location of the Town Hall at Saugus Center met with considerable controversy. East Saugus residents felt that the Iown Hall should be located in their neighborhood and contemplated separating from Saugus and incorporating as the independent town of "West- port". Opposition to the new Town Hall was quelled when,at a special town meeting, it was voted to extend water pipes to East Saugus as a placating measure.

The Town Hall continued to house the Library until the first decade of the twentieth century when a new free-standing library building was built on the other side of Central Square continuing the municipal nature of the space. The High School continued to operate inthe Town Hall until thte turn of the century. The wartding still serves as town offices. The Saugus Town Hall is distinctive in its design and represents the skill and ability of a Boston architectural partnership very active in Essex County and the City of Boston. Built in 1875, the Town Hall incorporates the excessive concern for detail- ing, the picturesque massing, and the materials carmon to the High Victorian style of architecture.

The building's aesthetic importance to the town was noted as early as its dedication on March 1, 1877, when ceremony speakers stated that the building "would compare favorably with any of its kind in the vicinity". The Saugus Town Hall, along with the Topsfield Town Hall which was designed by the same firm, remains significant as one of a relatively small number of High Victorian examples of civic architecture in Massachusetts. Built in wood and exuberantly decorated, the building contrasts with the majority of the state's Town Halls which were built in the 1880s and 1890s and which appear massive in their brick and stone construction and heavy Richardsonian Romanesque detailing. The school's architects, Lord and Fulller, NPS Form 10-900-a (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 For NPS use only recelved date entered Continuation sheet Saugus Town Hall, Saugus, MA Item number 8 Page 2 were cited in the 1885 publication Leading Manufacturers and Merchants of Boston as having been "associated in the business for over 25 years and having erected many of the most prominent buildings all over the state, including schoolhouses, churches, town halls, and public works of all kinds". George C. Lord and George A. Fuller are further described as "true architects who consider the all important matters of drainage and ventilation...light and acoustics, and it is found that all their buildings are thouroughly healthy." This concern for creating a healthy as well as stylish building is apparent in the design of the Saugus Town Hall.

Other buildings in the area designed by Lord and Fuller and reflecting their ability as architects include the Marblehead Town Hall (Abbot Hall), the Topsfield Town Hall of 1875, and the Danvers First Unitarian Church. The firm was also responsible for the design of many residences in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. Many local craftsmen and builders were employed by Iord and Fuller in the construction of the Town Hall. Records show that J. H. Kilby and Son of Chelsea was awarded the construction contract and the Dearborn Brothers of Saugus laid the foundation of Rockport granite. The furnace and other mechanical equipment was installed by the local firm of J. R. Hughes. Other Saugus craftsmen and contractors associated with the project included J. W. Thomas who supervised all carpentry and wood work and S. Parker and Son who filled and graded the low and rather wet site.

The saugus Town Hall clearly satisfies Criteria A and C for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. While the building represents the 19th century industrial development of the town and resultant population growth, it is also an outstanding achievement by an architectural firm active in town hall design. r. X D'OSTER RACHELTHAYER AsgquraN BREWER WILSON GHAMESE W.OBOARDMAN LYDIA WESTWOOD BREWER < ST P SCOTTEST ARKER 36 UNIVEASALIST a SCNOOLS ROBY SENÕOL B. WALTON WARREN MISS CAPARKER MABEL L. WITGHMES GEMETERY SMRSE AUSTIM 20 26 31 CHINGS SILVER LAKE HARNEY KENTS HAI MANF E.TKENTS EST. HING e, MORTO LBARTOM 45, VJ FLI* Sca ARKER RC EN SSTACKPOLE Gon ST 103 OWN MALL & UB RAR STACKPOLE 93 92 915 96 97 ODBURY 11/12/,5 CONG! CHURCH 84 85 86 9 14 15 16 83 82 BNgol ROUND 76 PLAR L.

Y BERRETT 2526:27:28/29) 1LL 30:31 ASPER 32 33 MB 101 100 99 98 87 30 E. T. KENT'S EST. WILSON Saugus Town Hall Saugus Center, MA. From L.J.Richards Co. Atlas of 1897. WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) Rir#8500/332 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Saugus Town Hall Essex County MASSA CHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: LJ sample Reviewer's comments: Jrequest Working No. _MAV 22 1985 Fed. Reg. Date: 2/418 Date Due:6/20/85 -7/5/83 Action: ACCEPT - 6-20-85 Entered in the -RETURN National Hegister _ REJECT- Federal Agency: - -appeal -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 Deseription 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? 7. Description yes no Condition -excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one -unaltered Jaltered 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 title date 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 Saugus, MA Town Hall, Front (west) fa- - cade from Saugus Public Library across - Central Street. SAUDUS TOWN HALL Saugus Town Hall' Saugus, MA Front (west) facade Photo 1 of 4. Kevin Murphy, photographer March, 1985 _ Saugus, MA Iown Ha south facades from buildine.

Saugus Town Hall Saugus, MA West and south facades Photo 2 of 4 Kevin Murphy, photographer March, 1985 ND PARKING ANY TIME Saugus, MA Town Hall, - facade from Taylor Str Saugus Town Hall Saugus, MA North facade Photo 3 of 4 Kevin Murphy, photographer March 1985 Saugus, MA Town Hall, V - facade from Woodbury Av Saugus Town Hall Saugus, MA South Facade Photo 4 of 4 Kevin Murphy, photographer March, 1985 52 Tnun of Saugua TOWN HALL SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS 01906 (617) 233-7573 1019 Haul O. Rahrhenk TOWN MANAGER RECEIVED MAR 28 1985 MASS. HIST. COMM. March 25, 1985 Valerie Talmage Executive Director Mass. Historical Commission 80 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02108 Dear Ms.

Talmage: I am writing to inform you that the Town of Saugus is waiving its 30 day notification right so that the matter of nominating the Town of Saugus Town Hall to the National Register of Historic Places can be taken up at the Commission's April 10 meeting. We appreciate your assistance in expediting the nomination of this impressive and important example of High Victorian style architecture. Sincerely, CaueiXabchunte Paul T. Rabchenuk Town Manager RK/dmp CC: Historical Commission The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary of State Michael Joseph Connolly, Secretary Massachusetts Historical Commission Valerie A.

Talmage Executive Director State Historic Preservation Officer MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: National Register Staff sarah Limmerman, Director, Preservation Planning RE: Saugus Iown Hall DATE: April 23, 1985 The Saugus Town Hall has applied for a grant through our office, under the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund. This fund requires properties to be listed on the Massachusetts State Register of Historic Places before May 24, 1985, to be eligible for funding. The most common manner for properties to be listed in the Massachusetts State Register is through listing in the National Register. The owner of the Saugus Town Hall, the Town of Saugus, has been extremely persistent in its efforts to have the building listed before the Preservation Projects Fund deadline.

The town has already indicated that it will be requesting immediate listing through the representative for Saugus Representative Mavroulas. You should expect to hear from him in the near future. 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 727-8470 Rucd 5. 5/23/85