BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
FORM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 80 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 white) Staple to left side of form. Sketch Map: Draw map showing property's location in relation to nearest cross streets and/or geographical features. Indicate all bufldings between inventoried property and nearest intersection(s). Indicate north (SEE ATTACHED MAP) UTM REFERENCE USGS QUADRANGLE SCALE 19.316740.4690920 NEWTON, MA 1:25,000 AREA FORM NO. 3073 Newton, Mass. MRA Town NEWTON (West Newton) Address 32 Eden Avenue Historic Name Seth Davis House Use: Present Residence Original Residence DESCRIPTION Date 1820s Source Jackson Homestead Pub. Style Greek Revival Architect unknown Exterior Wall Fabric brick Outbufldings none Major Alterations (with dates) Porch balustrades added, early 20th c Condition Good Moved Acreage Setting no Date 12,191 sq. ft.
(less than lacre) 20th century residential neighborhood Recordedby Organization Date Kathlyn Hatch Newton Historical Comm. December 1977 NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (ff applicable) This well-proportioned Greek Revival-style building represents one of the finest remaining examples of the style in Newton. For its association with one of the leading figures in 19th-century West Newton, and for its architectural significance, the Seth Davis House meets criteria B and C of the National Register of Historic Places. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community. Once surrounded by large landscaped grounds that extended to Cheesecake Brook near Watertown Street, the Seth Davis House, constructed in brick in the 1820s, is a remarkably style.
The primary elevation overlooks watertown Street and contains a handsome doorway with sidelights. Doric porticoes appear at both the front and Eden Avenue facades. Brick was used for much of the detailing of this handsome residence, including the three-part cornice entablature at the eaves, wide pilaster strips at the corners, and a front panel at the gable end articulated with dentils. Brownstone trims the window heads. The use here of brick for detailing is unusual, as wood-frame construction was preferred for most residences in Newton during the early 19th century. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community. Seth Davis (1787-1888), one of West Newton's most prominent residents, came to the village at the age of fifteen.
With only 20 months of schooling, Davis became an eminent teacher, lecturer on astronomy, a trial justice, and county commissioner. In 1887, fifteen thousand people celebrated his hundredth birthday in West Newton. Davis also became a wealthy property owner during the course of his lifetime in West Newton. The Railroad Hotel (#3069) at the junction of Watertown and Washington streets was one of his early investments. Davis Avenue, Davis Street, and Davis Court, all part of his extensive holdings, were named after him, as was the Davis School on Waltham Street. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Friends of the Jackson Homestead, Newton's Older Houses: West Newton (1978), pp. 29-31.
8/85 IPS Fom 10.900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Item number For NPS use only received 7/23/86 date entered Page Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name_Newton MRA State Middlesex County, MA Nomination/Type of Review 31. Buckingham, John, House 32. Building at 1--6 Walnut Terrace 33. Central Congregational Church 34. Chestnut Hill, The 35. Claflin, Adams, Estate 36. Clark House 37. Collins, Frederick, House 38. Curtis, Allan Crocker, House--Pillar House 39. Curtis, William, House 40.
Davis, Seth, House Entered in the National Begister fooper Attest Interod in the Hationei Register Jkeeper Attest Jnter Mations Che Register HKeeper Enterad in the Iational Register Attest Mkeeper Entersd in the Nations Reglater Entered in the Mational Register Intered In the Mational Rogister Attest Jkeeper Attest Hheeper Attest fKeeper Intered in . the Mationa1 Legister Ente.
Nat1 Itn Ma Attest 1Keeper Attest fkeeper Attest fReeper Attest Date/Signature Aclousßyan 914/86 HilausByun 811186 Ahlmelbgu 964676 dllmuerByan 214186 ShtouaBye 914186 deloueogan 914186 dlelreaByas 214116 AleloueBgan 9/4/16 Slleßyan 81+116 Selouaßgen 214186 WASO Form - 177 ('"R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET 8600 1960 Davis, Seth, House (Newton MRA) Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: -sample Jrequest Entered in the Jational Registor Working No. Fed. Reg.
Date: JUL 23 1986 Date Due: - 8/31/16 -2/6 Action: _ACCEPT ..- 9/4/86 -RETURN _REJECT- 2/3/ 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 J 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 J summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance J 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: GPO 918-450 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Newton, Mass. MRA 30-32 Eden Ave., West Newton (Seth Davis House) Inv. #3073 Newton, Mass MRA L THAM STO AVENUE AVENUE FURBUSH 17 AVENUE SECTI 15 DAVIS 31 16 EDEN CITY 20 MECF_CAE 4107 15 18 MEWTTON WATERTOWN STREET SECTIO BLOCI ---_. E E 674400 E E 674800 - 31 City of Newton Assessor's Maps. Sheet 29 Metr1c Series. 1979 Scale: UTM grld 11ne Interval = 100 meters (328 feet) Newton, Mass. MRA 30-32 Eden Ave., West Newton (Seth Davis House) 31-15-5