integrity to significance justification of exception other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name - UMT References Verbel bouundary doacrbation and hathicatien 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evalueted significance of thie property within the atate is: netional -_ state local Blata Mistorki Preservetion Officer eigneture date 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Patuick Anlus Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed/ brahau Date -10-82 Phone: 202 272-3504 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet FERM 3 - 3.2:NG MASSACEUSETIS E:STOR:CAD CONMESSION 3O' BOTLSTOY STEEE, BOSTCN, MA 02116 ramo 01d Can- bridce :..-. 1.. ..C.
IIC I USGS Map #6 PEOTO: (3x3" o= 3x5" staple co left black & waite ide ofto Photo number_ 41-16 - SKETCH MAP Show property's location in relation to searest cross streets and/or geographical features. Indicate al1 buildiags betwees inventoried property and aearest intersection. Iadicate aorth. See at-acaes Recorded by B. Bunting/T. Alduino O=ganization Cambridge Historical Comm. Dace 1964 /1985 UTM 19/324740/4694080 USGS Quad: Lexington Cambridge, Mass. Iowa Camoridge, MRA Address 60 Garden Street Historic Yame Sears Tower, Harvard Observatory Use: Present_ academic Origigal DESCRIPTION: 1843 academic Date Source deed recoras/Haryard histor: Palladian style ArchitecsIsaiah Rogers Esterior wall fabric brick and wood Outbuildiags NA Majos alteraciocs (wich dates) West demolished and replaced 1954; east wing demolished and renlaced 1960. Moved no Dace acres NA Approx.
acceage .0082 Settil8 top oi a The Observatory is located aominate its surroundinas. There is stil considerable open wooded land on the site. The Sears Tower stand amiast later structures. (Staple addicional sheets bere) Retnd: 1/12/87 ppalo 'INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commnity : Form No: Cambridge MRA O.C. Cambridge, MA II C I Property Name: Harvard Observatory Sears Tower Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. Architectural Significance, cont. Despite its additions, the Sears Tower, which originally stood as a discrete unit, retains integrity of its neo-classical, Palladian-inspired design, as well as integrity of location, materials, workmanship and association.
original structure, which was visually separated from its outlying frame pavilions by low hyphen wings and which was materially distinguished from them by its brick construction, is still wholly evident as a fragment of the 1843 des ign. Isaiah Rogers, the building's architect, worked closely with William Bond, the Director of the Observatory and an instrument maker and self-taught astronomer, to engineer a structure that would serve astronomers as conveniently as possible. The plan adopted for the engineering design of the structure ultimately was Bond's, as Rogers was not found to possess sufficient understanding of the needs of the structure. Primary among these was provision for the absolute solidity of the telescope to ensure accurate measurements. To this end, the foundations of the Observatory were sunk 26 feet below the surface.
The hemispherical dome of the Observatory was constructed to allow full 360° rotation on a mechanism of eight iron balls laid in a track. These critical aspects of the design remain intact and in as do the original structure and finishes of the building's interior and exterior. The distinctive characteristics, features and design of the building's inter ior and exterior set it off from the recent construction abutting it. One of the most significant aspects of the building is the fact that it retains its original telescope and all of its mechanisms and accoutrements. The telescope, a 15-inch. "Great Refractor", was once the largest telescope the United States and was the first to be used for photographic observations of the heavens, in 1848, very shortly after the introduction of daguerrotypy in this country.
The telescope was constructed by Merz and Mahler, a Munich manufacturer of telescopes. Functionally and architecturally, the Observatory remains intact and identifiable. As a significant early and intact observatory that retains all of its critical functional and design elements, the Harvard Observatory meets criterion C of the National Register on the local and state levels. The remaining buildings in the complex are non-contributing, either by reason of age or lack of association with the early period of the Observatory's development. Staple to Inventory form at bottom EVENTORY FORM CONTENUATION SHEEE MASSACUSETS PRERORRCAL COMESSION DfEice es che Secreseri, 30s:0r Cambridge. MRA ULC Carosicçe, Mass. Fom Iic: c.C II C = Propert lane: Sears Ioxer, Indicate each item on inventory iorm ntich is being continued belt.
Historical Significance A temporary observatory had been improvised in the Dana-Palmer house in 1839 after President Quincy persuaded William C. Bona to bring his eguipment and become "astronomical Observer to the University" , it was four years later before the President, taking acvantage of a swell of interest in astronomy caused by the Comet of 1843, was able to procure funds to build a permanent observatory: Operation of the new observatory was made possible by a bequest of $100,000 by Edmund Phillips, a recent graduate of the college. It was equirped with a 15-inch equatorial telescope of the largest size then known, which was bought with funds raised by public subscription.
Since its founding, the Harvard College Observatory has pioneered in the development of modern early recognized the potential of spec- troscopy in revealing the constitution of the stars, and of photography in determining the positions and motions of celestial objects. As sucn, it is significant under Criterion A. S:aple :a iaventom torm 3e 30::om 7/3018 MENTERY FORM CONTNUATION SHEED MASSACHUSEMES HISTORECAL COMCESION fitice of che Secresar:, 30si Communis: Cambridge, Mass. Cambridge MRA Fom tic: Property lane: Caroridge Multipie Bescurce area indicate each item or inventory fom which is being continued belon. Standard 3ibliography - Cambradge Muicipie Resource Nomination Bunting, Bainbridge, and Floyd, Margarec #., ea.,_Harvard, -n Arcnitectural history.
Camoridge: The Belkrap Press of Harvard University, 1985 Cambridge Historical Commission, Survey of Arcnitectural History in Cambridge. Cambridge: The MIT Press. Report One: East Cambridge (1965) Report Iwo: Mid Cambridge (1967) Report Three: Cambridgeport (1971) Report Four: Old Cambridge (1973) Report Five: Northwest Cambridge (1977) Cambridge Historical Society, Proceedings. Cambridge, 1906-present Daughters of the American Revoiution, Hanrah Winchrop Chapter, An Historical Guide to Cambridge. Camoridge, 1907 Gilman, A., ed., Cambridge of Eighteen Hundred and Ninesy Six. Cambridge: The Riverside Press, 1896 Paige, I.R., History Of Cambridge. Bosion: #.O Hougton and Company, 1377 Paige, L.R.; Gozzaldi, M.I., ed.. History of Cambridge Supplement Society, 1930 and Index. Cambridge: 'the Cambridge Historical Rettig, R.3., Guide to Cambridge Architecsure.
Cambridge: The MII Press, 1969 Stiliman, w.i., ed., Poetic Localities Of Cambridge. Boston: iames R. isgood and Company, 1376 voods, R.A., and Kennedy, A.J.; warner, s.3., ed., The sone DÉ Emergence. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1962 Zaitzevsky, C., with the advice of the Review Cormattee mempers, Ihe Harvard Universisy Study of Basterie and archt:ectural Properties -1n Ene Environs de Cameraage, lAprii 1983 - December 1984) S:aple :o Inventory form at boccom ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. Astronomical Observatory, Cambridge, lass. plans begun 1843, started building in 1845. First salary paid in 1847. Malloy, del. - worcester s Co. 1/34/86 HOIT GENERAL VIEW OF THE HARVARD OBSERVATORY.
*WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) 1/38 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Review Substantive 86002075 Harvard Observatory (Cambridge MRA) Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission was Dué ownn oly. nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: sample Drequest see attached commente 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 Jappeal JUL 3 0 1986 Working No. Fed. Reg. Date: Date Due: _ 8/25186 = Action: ACCEPT. ZRETURN _REJECT 9/13/86 9-12-86 Federal Agency: _ DNR decision Roturu Reviewer S Discipline. see continuation sheet 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) J summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context 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 date title 13. Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed 1o_ pet/s Savage (202) 343-1550 Signed latick Andur - Date 9/12/86 . Phone: - GPO 918-450 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet REVIEW COMMENTS Harvard Observatory (Cambridge MRA) Middlesex County, MA As evidenced sketch map and written description, the property as nominated represents only a portion of a building.
The later additions have been described as non-contributing to the historical and architectural significance of the building: however, they have been excluded from the boudary. Delineating a boundary around a portion of a building does not meet National Register documentation requirements. Even if the modern wings were included in the boundary of the nominated property, it remains questionable whether the remaining original section of observatory retains sufficient integrity to convey its historic and/or architectural significance. Significance under criterion A has not been sufficiently justified. Please provide a defined period of significance applicable to the importance of the observatory under this criterion.
Please provide further detailed information specific important events or discoveries which occurred in the observatory and develop the historic context for the evaluation of such within the field of astronomy and/or education. 2M3 - 30.0:00 SSAGENSETTS EESTORAD COS BOTLSICY S.EE: BOSTCN, MA 02116 Cii Car- oriane USGS Map #6 Cambridge, Mass. IoWa Camoridce, MRA Address 60 Garden Street Historie Yane Sears Tower, Harvard Observator! te) - lation ate ried Üse: Present_academic Origizal academic DESCRIPTION: 1843 Date Source deed recorás/Harvara histcr Palladian Style. ArchitectIsaiah Rogers Esterior wall fabric brick and wocd Outbuildiags. NA -== =::e:=: Recorded by B. Bunting/T. Alduino Organization Cambridge Historical Comm.
Dace 1964 1985 CTN 19/324740 ÷694080 vsee cuad: iexington Major alceraciocs (wish dates) mest demolished and replaced 195÷; eas: wing demolished and regla?ed 1960. no Hoved Da:e Approx acieage -0082 acres Secting_ The Obserrator is loeated at se top ei a nili anc acminaci its surroundinas. There is sti considerabie open weedes land the site. The Sears Tower stan amiast later structures. (Staple addiiional sheets bere) - hello INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commnity: Form No: Cambridge MRA o.C. II C I Cambridge, Mass Harvard - Observator Property Name: Sears Tower Architectural Significance Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. The Harvard Observatory, on Observatory Hill, is a large complex of inter connecting structures dating from 1843 to ca. 1970.
Its focus is the Sears Tower, designed by Isaiah Rogers in 1843, and now part of Building A. Rogers' other local commissions include the rebuilding of the First Parish Church in Cambridge (1833-34) and the Tremont House (1828) in Boston. As originally planned, the Sears Tower was the central element in a five-part Palladian scheme, the geometric formality of which was enhanced by broadly overhanging cornices. The Astronomy Professor's residence to the east and Classrooms and library to the west, both built in 1851, were wooden pavillions connected by one-story passages to the central brick block of the observatory. This concept was not unlike the arrangement at the nearby Botanic Garden, where the Botany Professor's house was connected to the Her bar ium building and greenhouses.
(south) is a massive projecting pedimented pavilion containing an entry austerely framed by pilasters, frieze and heavy architrave. In its history, the Sears Tower has been encroached upon but not engulfed by modern additions to house the Observatory's growing functions and needs. The original entry through the pedimented pavillion and the heavy granite door framed have been blocked by later additions. The earliest surviving addition (Building C, 1892), by G. Leslie Nichols, is a two-story edifice with a modest Brick Panel cornice, which once stood free of the original observatory. Lower on the slope to the northwest is a three-story wing in the new-Georgian manner by coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch & Abbott (Building D, 1931). A small wing by . W. P. Hooper (Building A, 1954) immediately west of the Sears Iower replaced the original classroom and library wing.
The space age and affiliation with the Snithsonian Observatory generated a burst of expansion beginning in the 1960s. Iwo sets of L-shaped buildings combine to form a courtyard and enfold the Sears Iower. The earlier of these wings, sheathed in brick and comparable to the west wing, was built in 1960 (Building B, Griswold, Boyden, Wilde & Ames); it replaced the east wing of the original observatory. The most recent additions are the Perkin Laboratory (1970, Cambridge Seven Associates) and Building E, which together form a second L and make a courtyard with Building B. Other buildings in the Observatory complex are an observation house, a small metal building containing a telescope, and a metal storage shed. are less than 50 years old.
Continued Staple to Inventory form at bottom INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity Cambridge MRA Cambridge, Mass. Form No: O.C. II C I Property Name/arvard Observatori Sears lower Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. Architectural Significance, Cont. Despite its additions, the Sears Iower, which originally stood as a discrete unit, retains integrity of its neo-classical, Palladian-inspired design. The Sears Tower is one of the few college' observatories standing in the state (the other two are at Mt. Holyoke and Amherst). It is clearly visible within the mass of later building and retains its unique, identifiable design features, thus meeting Criteria C for listing to the National Register of Historic Places.
The remaining buildings in the complex are non-contributing, either by reason of age or lack of architectural distinction. The Quadrangle Recreational Athletic Center (1981), located on the same parcel, is not being nominated to the National Register. Staple to Inventory form at bottom RAY GARDENS WEST CONCORD GARDEN MADISON 7aiaJ .... GARDEN 1931 208 ST. QUADRANGLE RECREATIONAL L'ATHLETIC CENTER 1951 1970 A 1892 1843 1954 B 1160 SEARS TOWE R 1974 AVE. narvard upser'vaLour'y Cambridge, Mass- Cambridge, MRA CITY of CAMBRIDGE Scale: 1*-40 AMENHIONA PROM VEEDS, LAMP COUKTA ON LAYOUT FLAMS ARE DUOMN IM BRACKEN (). ALL OTHAN ARX MASURAY LAND COURT TITLES ARE I MARKEP LC - PRAWN BV WULDU
PERKIN LAB (215) BOND - NPS Form 10-900-a (7-81) 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 date entered Page 14 w217 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Cambridge Multiple Resource Area MA Nomination/Type of Review 131. Conventual Church of St. Mary and St. John Substantive Review 132. 'Second Cambridge Savings Bank Building Sulistantiro NeviAr 133. Frost, David, House Su8st Fiva Nevier' 134. Howe House Substantive Review Su885 ' 135. Lowell, The 136. Willis, Stillman, House Solet "137. Second Waterhouse House SEARS TUWER - 138. Harvard. Observatory owiner alyecteon DOE/OWNER OBJECTION wthdraw '1,89. Almshouse Substantive Review -140.
Lovell Block Subal Keeper Date/Signature Wuenias H.Bracham 41382 Attest Keeper tua(m-De,(631) Attest Keeper pur 1-003 16-2097 Attest Keeper Attest Paune te Bag 670599 Keeper nDa1Dal630.8) Attest Keeper Wielian Hibraham 41382 Attest Keeper tone t der 630-5) Attest Keeper / Keeper Cane &Suel 2-2687 Bethtsaunge: 2-26-81 HielamH.Bracnam 4.13.82 Attest Keeper Attest Auvera Bangl 6308 RESUBMISSION WASO Form - 177 (''R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET etörtive Hewtow Sears Tower-Harvard Observatory (Cambridge MRA) Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Working No. 1/30/86 Fed. Reg. Date: _ 012/83 Date Due:- 2/26/87 Action: _LACCÉPT.. 2-26-87 - RETURN_ -REJECT_ Federal Agency: .
Substantive Review: Jsample LJrequest Jappeal ANR decion Accapt E Nomination returned for: its hitoric importarce particlar lysee continution shlee hich degree of enterior gabrid 4 dedign - technical corrections cited below rexention of original telescopl _substantive reasons discussed below and "all of ts mechaniams and 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Public Acquisition Status Accessible Present Use 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 Check one -original site moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 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 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 Harvard Observatory/ ( Sears Tower Cenbridee MRA, Ma 60 Garden Street 41-16 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000275 P093545982 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 December 31, 1986 Beth Savage, National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service P.O.Box 37127 Washington, D.C. 20013-7127 Dear Beth: Enclosed is the re-submission of the Sears Tower, Harvard Observatory, a component of the Cambridge MRA.
Corrections have been made to the boundary and significance under criterion A has been deleted since we had insufficient documentation to enumerate the facets of this aspect of devoted to astronomical observation and since it is physically unaltered in its own right, retaining all possible aspects of functional design, incuding an historic telescope of great value. If you have any questions about this submission, you should contact Betsy Friedberg of the MHC staff, since I will leaving the MHC staff shortly. I have enjoyed working with you and will miss our phone conversations! Take care! Sincerely, Sally Sarah J. Zimmerman Director of Preservation Planning /sjz enc JAN |2 1987 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 727-8470
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