Nomination for US Post Office--Lynn Main

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-306 (Rev. 10-74) UNITEDSTATES DEPARTMENT OFTHE INTERIOR FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES RECEIVED INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM DATE ENTERED 1980 JN 201986 FOR FEDERAL PROPERTIES SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME 2 3 4 HISTORIC United States Post Office AND/OR COMMON Lynn Main Post Office LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 51 Willow Street N/A CITY.

TOWN Lynn STATE Massachusetts 01901 CLASSIFICATION N/A- VICINITY OF CODE 0650 -NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Sixth Congressional District COUNTY CODE Essex 009 CATEGORY _DISTRICT _BUILDING(S) _STRUCTURE _SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP PUBLIC PRIVATE -BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION N/AN PROCESS _BEING CONSIDERED STATUS XOCCUPIED -UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE XYES: RESTRICTED _YES: UNRESTRICTED _NO PRESENT USE -AGRICULTURE _MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL -PARK _EDUCATIONAL _PRIVATE RESIDENCE _ENTERTAINMENT -RELIGIOUS XGOVERNMENT -SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL -TRANSPORTATION -MILITARY -OTHER: AGENCY REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS: (If applicable) New England Field Real Estate and Buildings Office STREET & NUMBER 1050 Waltham Street CITY. TOWN Lexington N/A_ VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION STATE Massachusetts 02173 COURTHOUSE REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC.

Registry of Deeds, Salem Probate Court STREET & NUMBER 36 Federal Street CITY. TOWN STATE Massachusetts 01970 Salem REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE None DATE -FEDERAL STATE COUNTYLOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY. TOWN STATE 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION XEXCELLENT- _GOOD _FAIR _DETERIORATED _RUINS - UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE _UNALTERED XALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

DATE_ _PHYSICAL APPEARANCE_ The building's exterior, public spaces, and grounds are in very good condition. This two-story, saw-finished Chesterfield granite and structural steel building functions as both the Post Office and Federal building. The structure houses about 24,100 square feet on the front half of the site, leaving small landscaped areas on the sides of the Willow Street entry. The back half of the site, encloses a paved vehicle maneuvering area. In plan, the building is fronted by the major vestibule flanked by offices, including the Postmaster's office. Beyond is the public lobby with a secondary vestibule to the right and workroom space to the left. Behind the service screen is the workroom, mail vestibule and platform. Five low, granite steps form the main approach from Willow Street.

The front (southwest) elevation is an eleven bay structure with a raised three bay central entrance; two-story projecting pilasters, with an ornamental capital belt course, define this area. Smaller inset pilasters frame each of the three entries and support simple block-like friezes with Greek detailing and cornices. Bronze and glass infill panels with Roman grilles extending from the entablature soffits to the replacement aluminum doors, terminating into a flat entablature containing a low-relief eagle with spread wings. Above the entrance are recessed sculptured panels; the outer two being floral motifs of laurel leaves surrounding a chevron and two side hatchets, the inner an eagle with outstretched wings within a floral wreath. A darker granite is used at the main frieze level, featuring bundled reeds, Greek key borders, palmettos, and other Greco-Roman motifs.

Above is a projecting cornice with modillions and geometric spiral carvings. The entry is heightened with a plain parapet and decorative coping. The wings' cornice NPS Form 10-000-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Lynn Post Office Item number 7 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received date entered Page 2 line and capital-level belt course continue with simple geometric bands, the latter one breaks at each recessed window strip, which extends down to the extracted base and includes two bronze-framed windows, the upper 16 light and the lower 24 light, with a plain entablature/lintel in between. The side elevations are similar in detail in their first bay with the front facade. The cornice line then simplifies to an unornamented belt.

The southeast side, along Oxford Street, contains a secondary entrance that repeats on a one-to-one bay plan the scheme of the front facade in the span of three bays. The rear (northeast) elevation includes a one-story mail platform renovated with concrete blocks. The Willow Street main vestibule is two-stories in height with a receding, concentric coffered plaster ceiling with molding. Centered is an original hanging hexagon brass and smoked glass fixture. Three inner sets of recessed bronze doors with plate glass windows above are opposite the exterior entrances. The middle set of doors is presently covered with paneling. To the northwest is an entry to the stair corridor for the second floor. A marble wainscot raises to door height; above plaster walls with ornamental geometric spiral patterns outline each section.

Black marble with green veins is used at base level and to frame each opening. Between each entry is a decorative bronze heating grille. A pale terrazzo and black marble floor includes a pale star within a black circle in the center of the lobby. The secondary vestibule has all marble walls, a plaster ceiling, bronze inner doors, and a Westfield green and Hamil pink marble floor. There is an opening made here leading to a new set of fire stairs. The public lobby is "L" shaped; one enters from the main vestibule to the center of the long side. This part, spanning seven bays, is two-stories in height. The walls are of plaster with a marble wainscot. The coffered ceiling and its molding are also of plaster.

Above the northeast wall are 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 Lynn Post Office Item number 7 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received date entered Page 3 bronze frame and glass windows that reach up to a highly detailed entablature and cornice supported by Westfield green marble columns with detailed capitals. Gold, red, and blue paint highlight the geometric and naturalistic patterns on the capitals and entablature. At the top of the "L" shaped lobby the ceiling drops to a one-story level with a denticulated cornice for one bay to house an additional service area. The ceiling also drops at the low end,creating a hall to the Assistant Postmaster's office, workroom, a set of marble stairs, and secondary entry.

_ART_ There are two oil, heavy canvas murals measuring sixteen and one-half feet long and and six feet, two inches high, covering the long panels at the ends of the two-story height part of the lobby. Depicting Lynn's industrial, labor, business, and cultural heritage, they are titled: "1629 - Early and Modern Industries of Lynn - 1936" (to the northwest) and "Colonial and Contemporary Civic Culture" (at the opposite end). Bordered in marble with a white plaster entablature below, they are in excellent condition.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD PREHISTORIC 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 -1800-1899 X 1900- _ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE XART _COMMERCE COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _CONSERVATION -LLAW -ECONOMICS _LITERATURE EDUCATION -MILITARY -ENGINEERING _MUSIC _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY _INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT LINVENTION _RELIGION -SCIENCE -SCULPTURE SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIEVI SPECIFIC DATES Cornerstone: Apr. 20, 1933BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECTEdward H. Hoyt & Assoc. G Ripley Dedication: Dec. 28, 1933 LeBoutillier, Assoc. Architects STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE W.E.O'Neil Construction Company Alterations and exterior addition: 1975 Robert L. Scagliotti, Architect Alterations: 1978 Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson,Abbott Situated in downtown Lynn, Massachusetts, the Lynn Main Post Office building is the most architecturally distinguished structure in an area dominated by late 19th and early 20th Dubbed "the Million Dollar Federal Building" it was constructed between April and December 1933 at a cost of $100,000.00. Architect- urally it is significant as a later example of a Type A building within Secretary of the Type A buildings were existed in larger cities. They were built of marble or granite and contained fine interior finish, murals, special interior lighting fixtures, etc.

Erected between April and December, 1933 their short period of construction underlines the U.S. Supervising Architect's offices policy of employing standardized construction methods to bring economic benefit to a particular community as quickly as possible. Architecturally their building represents an austere interpretation of the Classical Revival style. Its mono- chomatic chesterfield granite facades are characterized by ranges of rusticated Doric pilasters interspersed with multi pane windows set in rectangular panels. The overall effect is primitive and very compelling. The Classical Revival style was frequently employed in government buildings during the 1930's to symbolize Democracy and stability during the uncertain Depression years. The Lynn Main Post Offices' lot had been occupied by five brick factory buildings.

These buildings included the Barnard estate factories along Willow Street to the corner of Oxford, the Keene building on Oxford Street, and the Grover factory on the corner of Buffum and Oxford. The firm of J.J. Grover and Sons was one of the oldest firms in the shoemaking business in the United States. In August of 1930 an appropriation of $700,000.00 was secured for the proposed Post Office. The cornerstone was laid on April 20, 1933 and reads: "Ogden L. Mills, Secretary of the Treasury; Edward H. Hoyt and Associates; Ripley & LeBoutillier, Associate Architects; James A. Wetmore, Acting Supervising Architect, 1932.' It was dedicated on December 28, 1933. The erection of a new Post Office had been urged in Congress during the early 1920's as one of the first acts of U.S. Congressman Lawrence Joseph Connery (1895-1941).

Connery was a native of Lynn and a graduate of Georgetown Law in Washington, D.C. For many years he operated an office supply and printing business in Lynn, MA The old post office building had become inadequate since the advent of the parcel post business. The Post Office's construction provided jobs for "24 riggers, iron workers, carpenters and laborers."

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES "Daily Evening Item" April 21, 1933 MA: Lynn History of Post Office Construction 1900-1940, July, 1982 Boston Public Library Architects File - Dictionary of American Architects, Deceased, 1970 by Henry Withey The Lynn Telegram News - 4/21/33-pg. 1, 15; 12/28/33-p. 1 & s; 4-11-33; 4-2-33-p. 17; 1-30-33 p. 1 & 2. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 1.88 UTM REFERENCES ALL91 31391955 ZONE EASTING 4,70 1310,2,0 NORTHING BLJ ZONE NORTHING NORTHING LI LLLILILU VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION The Post Office is located with Willow Street to the Southeast, Oxford Street to the Southwest, Buffum Street to the Northwest, and Barker Court to the Northeast.

Northeast to Southwest - 211.17' along Willow Street Southeast to Northwest - 398.81' along Oxford Street Southwest to Northeast - 227.08' along Buffum Street LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE ! FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Steven M. Smith, Project Manager ORGANIZATION SULLIVAN DESIGN GROUP, INC. STREET & NUMBER CITY OR TOWN 44 Adams Street Braintree DATE September 23, 1985 TELEPHONE (617) 848-1545 STATE Massachusetts 02184 12 CERTIFICATION OF NOMINATION STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER RECOMMENDATION YES NO NONE Valeu A demace STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE In compliance with Executive Order 11593, I hereby nominate this property to the National Register, certifying that the State evaluate its significance.

The evaluated level of sighificanee js Histeric Preservation Officer has been allowed 90 gays in yhich to presgni the ngmmination to the State Review Board and to A Local. FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE pa ss TITLE Realty Specialis Sr. DATE May 12, 1986 FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY T- HAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER Yatich Andus DATE 6/2086 EDER OF THE NAZIONAL REGISTER( : avoge DATE 6-19-86 GPO 899-214 Wo2) Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form For NPS use onily recelved date entered Continuation sheet Lynn Main Post Office 8 2 Item numte: Page It would provide permanent jobs for at least 174 employees.

Its construction provided a boost to the local economy at a time when welfare expenditures for Lynn residents reached $1,136,000.99 (1932) and were continuing to rise. In addition the Mayor was exploring the feasibility of discarding Civil Service as this system took jobs away from people. In an effort to aid the unemployed, the City initiated a Sports Night Program. Despite economic hardships in Lynn during the early 1930's, the City encompassed two larger General Electric plants, 459 industrial plants and continued to be the "Center of the Shoe Industry." The building is also noteworthy for its lobby murals by William Riseman, a 25-year old Yale graduate. Contracted at a price of $3712, they were installed in June of 1936. The Northwest mural depict Lynn's shoe industry and General Electric Company. The Southeast mural depicts Lynn's cultural history.

The section of painting and sculpture of the Procurement Division, U.S. Treasury Department provided the funding for these murals. The Lynn Main Post Office represents the work of Edward H. Hoyt and Associates and Ripley and LeBoutillier. Information was not available on Hoyt and Associates. Herbert G. Ripley of Ripley and LeBoutillier was a prominent Boston Architect based for many years at 45 Bromfield Street. Herbert G. Ripley (1869-12/15/1942) was born in Melrose and educated at M.I.T. (Class of 1890). After college he went to Chicago to work with Charles B. Atwood, chief designer for Daniel Burnham, on the Columbian Exposition buildings (Chicago World Fair 1893). He returned to Boston to work as cheif draftsman in the firm of Peabody and Stearns. Between 1928 and 1942 he practiced with A.B. LeBoutillier.

Ripley was a talented watercolorist and author of many articles on architecture. At the time of his death in 1942 he was completing a history of the Boston Society of Architects. He is credited with the design of the Levi Warren High School in West Newton. Buffum Street 227.08' parking 50.06'1 Commercial 6 48.44' 4 Commercial Barker Court Willow Street 2 1 211.17' Parking UNITED STATES POST OFFICE - LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS 3 398.81' Oxford Street 1 - Vestibules 2 - Public Library 3 - Postmaster's Office - Workroom 5 - Mail Vestibule 6 - Mail Platform Parking Commercial Multi- Story Commercial Multi- Story 86001342 WASOUE 9:47 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET U.S.

Post Office--Lynn Main Essex County MASSACHUSETTS Substantive Reriew -resubmission -nomination by person or local government - owner objection - appeal Substantive Review: . 6 1986 Working No. Fed. Reg. Date: 2/3/ Date Due:_6/13/86 - 6/30/86 Action: 6-20-86 - RETURN REJECT Federal Agency: _ US PS -NR decision -request 3 Wilciam Wedeman Drciing = 19-86 -arantiereo tie l e ats piies of theeo Berst of - substantive ressons discused belom e ba 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? 7.

Description Lyes Condition -excellent -good Lfair - deteriorated Lruins unexposed Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance - summary paragraph L completeness clarity - alterations/integrity - dates - boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use LJ no Check one -unaltered Daltered 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 WaLTaL *iadu2 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 Lynn Post Office LYNN MAIN POST OFFICE Lynn, MA David R. Hooker Earl R. Flansburgh Associates, Inc. July 1983 Front elevation LYNN MAIN POST OFFICE Lynn, MA David R. Hooker Ear1 R. Flansburgh Associates, Inc. July 1983 Front elevation. Right view Lynn Post Office LYNN MAIN POST OFFICE Lynn, MA David R. Hooker Earl R. Flansburgh Associates, Inc. July 1983 Front elevation. Left view PLEASE ENTER HERE Lynn Post Office LYNN MAIN POST OFFICE Lynn, MA David R. Hooker Earl R. Flansburgh Associates, Inc.

July 1983 Lobby CONTEMPORARY IVHC ULTURE 1629 EARLY AND MODERN NDUSTRIES Lynn Post Office Lynn, Massachusetts LYNN MAIN POST OFFICE Lynn, MA David R. Hooker Earl R. Flansburgh Associates, Inc. July 1983 Mural Flax Pond * Fich ;Drive-in ' Theater Sand Fire Sta KXAA RL 200 / © Light Sand Lighte BEACH: General Edwards Bridge. Sand Lighto Sand CHANNEL "Lighto BLACK QISS CORPORATE- Beach Black Wilts Cliff *Bianey Rock KIngs we Red Rock Parking N A H N T Little Nahant Sand .*. -Little Nahant Beach Ü S Coast Guard *-Station Beac FIELD REAL ESTATE AND BUILDINGS OFFICE P.O. Box 324 Laxington. MA 02173-0324 August 20, 1985 The Honorable Antonio J. Marino Mayor, City of Lynn Lynn City Hall City Hall Square Lynn, MA 01901 Dear Mayor Marino: The U.S.

Postal Service in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer in Boston has evaluated the Main Post Office in Lynn and has determined it is significant fron an historical viewpoint. In view of the above evaluation, the U.S. Postal Service intends to nominate this building to the National Register of Historic Places. We would, prior to our taking formal action, appreciate receiving your concurrence. If you concur with our proposed action, kindly return a signed copy of this letter in the enclosed envelope. Sincerely, Gregory Gilleland General Manager Concur: Enclosures JPC/1jr : MATES POSTA U.S.MAII SERVICE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE RealEstate and Buildings Department 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20260-6400 May 12, 1986 Ms. Carol D.

Shull Chief of Registration National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of Interior Washington, D.C. 20240-1002 Dear Ms. Shull: The Postal Service hereby submits a nomination for the post office located at 51 Willow Street, Essex County, Lynn, Massachusetts. If you have questions concerning this nomination, please call me at 202/268-3107. Sincerely, Tann hn S. Sorenson Specialist, Senior Office of Real Estate Enclosure Recd MAY 16 ISs0