MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES The Federal Presence, Craig, Lois A. MIT Press 1980 Field Guide to American Architecture, Rifkind, Carole, Bonanza 1980 History of Post Office Construction, 1900-1940, July 1982 Mishawum, A Story of Woburn, Deehan, P. unpublished 1952 Community Survey of Woburn, Abbott, Lillian unpublished 1920 O GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY_ UTM REFERENCES 0.666 A AL1,9| |3/219|9310/ |47/05|1,00) EASTING NORTHING CLULLILI VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Beginning thence running: Northeast Northwest Southwest Southeast 131' 135' 155' 33' Southwest Southeast ZONE NORTHING EASTINC Luldhilele at a point of Abbott Street, along Abbott Street along Federal Streec 96° to the point of origin LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE N/A STATE CODE COUNTY CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE E.
Brett Heenan, Preservation Coordinator March 25, 1986 ORGANIZATION DATE STREET & NUMBER THE BOSTON PARTNERSHIP, TNC. 48 INMAN STREET MARCH 17, 1986 TELEPHONE (617) 492-8866 CITY OR TOWN STATE CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02139 CERTIFICATION OF NOMINATION STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER RECOMMENDATION' YESX NO aNene A Taemace 5l80 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OAFICER SIGNATURE In compliance with Executive Order 11593. I hereby nominate this property to the National Register, certifying that the State Historic Preservation Officer has been allowed 90 days in which to present the nomination to the State Review Board and to evaluate its significance. The evaluated level of significanee is .
National -State ALoca FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE -Mkn Zamee TITLE Realty Acquisition pecialist, Principal DATE 10/31/86 FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTEF Ainda: DIRECTOR. OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ATTEST: KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Mls tyße my TiTle 14 86003436 WASO Form- 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET US Post Office--Woburn Center Station Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS Substantiva ZevIex MOV 5 1986 Working No. Fed. Reg. Date: Date Due: 17/4/86-12/20/86 Action: - ACCEPT 12-18-86 Federal Agency: REJETPS NR decision Recom./Criteria.
Reviewer petym Discipline Date_ Pfinyetmal thastry see continuation sheet resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: sample J request appeal Reviewer's comments: Please note techuical correction necersary to enable listing. Ppoperty is cleany elifible ar architedtual pigmiticance. Nomination returned for: technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Public Acquisition Status Accessible 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 Lunaltered altered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 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 C 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 /3. Other Pleepirnice fuee acgenal usos map. Photographs cuetion anmamng h noninein ney te trece o heth Sawage (202) 343-8550 Signed- latuicke Andurs Date 12/18/86 - Phone: - Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Form No. 10-306 (Rev.
10-74) UNITEDSTATES DEPARTMENT OFTHE INTERIOR FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED .NOV 5 1986 DATE ENTERED OCT | 9 1987 FOR FEDERAL PROPERTIES SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME HISTORIC UNITED STATES POST OFFICE AND/OR COMMON WOBURN CENTER STATION POST OFFICE 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 2 ABBOTT STREET CITY.TOWN WOBURN STATE 3 MASSACHUSETTS CLASSIFICATION 01830 - VICINITY OF CODE 1510 NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 7TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT COUNTY CODE MIDDLESEX 017 CATEGORY -DISTRICT XBUILDING(S) _STRUCTURE _SITE -OBJECT OWNERSHIP X PUBLIC _PRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION IN PROCESS N/ A 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 EINDUSTRIAL -SCIENTIFIC _TRANSPORTATION _MILITARY _OTHER: AGENCY REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS: (If applicable) NEW ENGLAND FIELD REAL ESTATE AND BUILDINGS OFFICE STREET & NUMBER 1050 WALTHAM STREET CITY.
TOWN STATE MASSACHUSETTS 02173 LEXINGTON, - VICINITY OF 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC MIDDLESEX COUNTY REGISTRY OF DEEDS STREET & NUMBER 210 CAMBRIDGE STREET CITY. TOWN STATE MASSACHUSETTS 02173 CAMBRIDGE, REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE NONE DATE -FEDERAL STATE _COUNTYLOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY. TOWN STATE 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION XEXCELLENT _GOOD -FAIR _DETERIORATED LRUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE _UNALTERED XALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE -MOVED DATE. ADDITION 1969 DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE Constructed in 1911, the Woburn Post Office was sited on the northern perimeter of Woburn Common and faced the Old City Hall, razed in 1931 for the construction of the new city government offices.
The Post Office was also placed adjacent to the Lowell Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad, since removed to satisfy the needs of city parking- The public Library, a Richardsonian Romanesque ediface listed in the National Register in 1976, several colonial churches and wood framed homesteads also ringed the loosely formed Common at that time. Unfortunately, the open area immediately in front of the Post Office was privately owned and built upon in the 1950's, blocking the view of, and separating the Post Office from the frontage on the Common. Several commercial banks and a new courthouse have since been built around the Common. The Woburn Post Office is of formal Neo-Classic design, with a nine bay front entrance facade featuring a projected, center entrance bay. The entrance is flanked by Doric columns supporting a stern, flat entablature carrying a minute pediment.
All cut facade details are very straightforward and simple, but unified into a singular bold statement. The finely striated sandstone veneer of all facades rests on a shaped watertable of the same material, supported by a granite veneered foundation. Each delineated transomed window bay is interrupted by a fine frieze which runs continually under the cut blind panels located over each window. All facades are capped with a detailed, denticulated cornice enhanced with an ornate and fully ballustraded cap parapet that provides an aesthetic and visual barrier against the low sloped, standing seam roof. The sandstone chimney is centered on the flat termination roof in the form of a functional cupola. The bayed facade design has been repeated on all elevations, with five identical bays on each side facade and nine bays at the rear, mirroring the front facade treatment and rhythm.
Subsequent modifications to the structure in 1939 added a mail platform and extended the workroom at the rear of the building. This extension was designed and constructed with veneers and fenestration materials similar or identical to that of the original design. The addition used the frieze of the original building as its cornice and is capped by a low profile parapet that does not interrupt or detract from the original cornice and parapet. The site slopes to the right and rear of the Post Office, permitting basement half-windows on those facades and expressing the strength of its granite base. Granite steps and terrace, set between acanthus leafed, globed light standards set on large granite bases, lead through the columned entrance to a small muntined glass and wood vestibule and into the full width, somewhat narrow, lobby.
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 Item number 7 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only recelived ,/3/j6 date entered Page 1 Aluminum entrance doors mark the only apparent deviation from the original design intent. The high lobby reflects the bayed treatment of the entrance facade with nine plastered barrel vaults separated by plastered pilasters carrying the ribs, all finely detailed and edge moulded. The center vault, in keeping with the formal symmetrical entrance, contains a shallow plastered dome set on squared pendentives. The pilasters rest on marble dadoes and plinths that protrude from similar wainscotting. The lobby floor surface is the original fine terrazzo, bordered with marble stripping.
Minor modifications, completed in 1939, shortened the full width of the lobby with the addition of a small office at the left end. The original wood trim has been painted and new, suspended strip lighting runs the length of the lobby. 8 SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD -PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 - 1500-1599 _1600-1699 -1700-1799 _1800-1899 X1900- -ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC -ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE -ART _COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW _COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _CONSERVATION -LAW _ECONOMICS - LITERATURE EDUCATION -MILITARY -ENGINEERING _MUSIC -EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _.PHILOSOPHY _INDUSTRY -POLITICS/GOVERNMENT _INVENTION -RELIGION -SCIENCE -SCULPTURE -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER -TRANSPORTATION -OTHER (SPECIEVI SPECIFIC DATES Dedication 1912 Addition 1939 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE BUILDER/ARCHITECT James Knox Taylor, Sup.
Arch't. Louis A. Simon/W.G. No11 Dedicated in 1912, the Woburn Post Office possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship as well as significant association with the development of the Woburn Commons section of the city. Additionally, it exemplifies the high standard set by Treasury Architect Taylor and his return of governmental buildings to the classical interpretation and design. It is also significant locally for the symbolic power and dignity of the Federal Presence. Therefore the Woburn Post Office meets the National Register criteria A and C. The City of Woburn was founded in 1642, becoming the twenty-ninth town of the combined Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies, and opted for City Government in 1889.
Situated one day's ride on the stage route between Boston and Amherst, New Hampshire, this locale gained importance as an overnight stage stop and, with the passing of the Congressional Act of March 3, 1797 creating a mail stage route on that line, the first Postmaster, Icabod Parker, was commissioned on October 3, 1797. Mr. Parker also operated Fowles Tavern, the stage stop, and conducted post office business in a corner of the main tavern room. In 1803, with the opening of the Middlesex Canal, this agricultural community on the Aberjona River grew to become a primary leather and tanning center in Massachusetts.
By the time the Canal closed in 1853, due in large part do the advent of the railroads, the Post Office had moved some six times, at the discretion of the six appointed Post- masters during those fifty years, and was to move three more times prior to the construction of the present Post Office in 19l1. Spurred by the efforts of Luther Harris, a prominent Woburn businessman who forsaw the need for the stability of the "Federal Presence" in the community, and coupled with the prompting of Mrs. H. C. Blake's formal petition, the Government selected a site just north of Woburn Common in 1907, and groundbreaking for the present building took place in September 1910. Designed by James Knox Taylor, Supervising Architect for the Treasury Department, the Woburn Post Office reflects Taylor's favored Neo- Classical design style of mass and symmetry.
The center entrance is MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES The Federal Presence, Craig, Lois A. MIT Press 1980 Field Guide to American Architecture, Rifkind, Carole, Bonanza 1980 History of Post Office Construction, 1900-1940, Mishawum, A Story of Woburn, Deehan, P.
July 1982 unpublished 1952 Community Survey of Woburn, Abbott, Lillian unpublished 1920 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY _ UTM REFERENCES 0.666 A A 119/ 3/219|93,0) ZONE EASTING 147/05|1,0,01 NORTHING BL,J ZONE EASTING VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Beginning thence running: Northeast 131' Northwest 135' LILL a point of Abbott Street, along Abbott Street along Federal Streei Southwest 155' Southeast 33' Southwest 17' Southeast 96' to the point of origin LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE N/A STATE CODE COUNTY CODE 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE E. Brett Heenan, Preservation Coordinator ORGANIZATION STREET & NUMBER THE BOSTON PARTNERSHIP, ING.
48 INMAN STREET CITY OR TOWN March 25, 1986 DATE MARCH 17, 1986 TELEPHONE (617) 492-8866 STATE MASSACHUSETTS 02139 CAMBRIDGE, CERTIFICATION OF NOMINATION STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER RECOMMENDATION YESX NO NONE. valeuie A lalmass 5|1/86 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ÓEFICER SIGNATURE In compliance with Executive Order 11593. I hereby nominate this property to the National Register, certifying that the State Historic Preservation Officer has been allowed 90 days in which to present the nomination to the State Review Board and to evaluate its significance. The evaluated level of sigificanet is - FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE -Na sa l loca. TITLE Realty Acquisition Sp ecialist, Principal DATE FOR NPSUSE ONLY 10/31/86 I HERERY CERTIFY HAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER atlick DATE DIRECTOR.
OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION 10/19/82 DATE KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 899-214 NPS Form10-000-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Item number 8 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received |5 j6 date entered Page 1 ...raised some four feet above sidewalk grade to compensate for the slope from the Common to the building and to establish a solid visual base. Constructed prior to the Classification System of 1915, the Post Office was the first new construction in the Common area and was an attempt, by the civic leaders, to create a nucleus for further development and growth of the central commercial area at the Common.
This building, in the open space of the 1912 Common, demonstrated tangible evidence of the "Federal Presence" , symbolizing the strength and ideals of their United States Government. Interpreted by Architect Taylor, this bold statement reflects the gracious style of that era's "American Classic". During groundbreaking ceremonies on September 12, 1910, A. W. Whitcher, the principal speaker, declared: "There have been two most important events in Woburn.
The first most important event was the construction of the Middlesex Canal, connecting Woburn with New Hampshire and Boston; and this construction of our Federal Post Office, a Gift from the National Government." Upon opening for business on January 12, 1912, the local newspaper, The Woburn Times, stated that: "Finally, after one hundred and fourteen years of wandering, our post office has a real home, and a permanent address." As a well preserved example of early twentieth century post office design, this ediface, with its perhaps unusual sandstone veneer, plays its stern solid mass against the light, open ornamented parapet, a contrast that the Architect brilliantly created and fused in harmony. 321 10' LOWELL 14 MI. NTERCHANGE 40 INTERCHANGE 39D HTI Hurld Rag Re ummingsville -Hish M. 323 TOUS INTERCHANGE 38 V.7.
Jr High: Firé Sta 700 000 FEET| 71° 07'30" 42° 30' 4707 Sch Gravel Walnut Hilt - Pond Goodyear Sch, B UR Nº Sharkroe Sch ing6 Blueber 6AMtn (-" Horu Pond Shakerbill ZIO1 Hill t Pisgah WT- O Noonan Sch Winter anpa UNITED STATES POST OFFICE 2 ABBOTT STREET WOBURN, MA 01830 LEXINGTON QUADRANGLE UTM: 19-3/29/930-47/05/100 115/16y10) Koring ueld hidke Winchest RiTa High 3y Murys *Cibrar) HDY 4706 540 000 FEET 4705 4704 *4703 27' 30" Prt RESURIX 4702 4701 COf Feet 15000 14000 13000 12000 11000 10000 9000 8000 RESUBMISSION WASO Form - 177 (R" June 1984) US Post Office--Woburn Center Station Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Subutsctiwa Joiex resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Working No. Fed. Reg.
Date: Date Due: Action: 115-86 17/89 10-19-87 _ACCEPT10-19-87 _RETURN -REJECT Federal Agency: - USPS Substantive Review: Xsample request Lappeal LNR decision Locally unpotant neo-Classical institutiona design regletwieteviewer- 1 gior tocalempact of .see continuation sheet Sederal Dostoftue construstincnuzintem. Nomination returned for: technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category wnershif ublic Acquisitio 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 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 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 113. Other/ Maps Jeae inducate penperty on full us6s map Photographs 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 U. S. POST OFFICE 2 ABBOTT STREET WOBURN, MA 01830 PHOTO DATE:JUNE 1985 XXXXXXXX NEGATIVES @ USPS-FREBO LEXINGTON, MA 02173 U. S. POST OFFICE 2 ABBOTT STREET WOBURN, MA 01830 PHOTO DATE:JUNE 1985 VIEW FROM SOUTHEAST FRONT ELEVATION wslr NEGATIVES @ USPS-FREBO LEXINGTON, MA 02173 U. S. POST OFFICE 2 ABBOTT STREET WOBURN, MA 01830 PHOTO DATE:JUNE 1985 VIEW FROM SOUTHWEST LEFT SIDE ELEV. NEGATIVES @ USPS-FREBO LEXINGION, MA 02173 U. S.
POST OFFICE 2 ABBOTT STREET WOBURN, MA 01830 PHOTO DATE:JUNE 1985 VIEW FROM NORTHEAST RIGHT SIDE ELEV. NEGATIVES @ USPS-FREBO LEXINGTON, MA 02173 SATES POSTA SERVICE GSLINO UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE Facilities Service Office P.O. Box 324 Lexington, MA 02173-0324 July 29, 1986 The Honorable John Rabbitt Mayor, City of Woburn City Hall 10 Common Street Woburn, MA 01801 Dear Mayor Rabbitt: The U.S. Postal Service in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer in Boston has evaluated the Main Post Office in Woburn and has determined it is significant from 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, rnenay Manlglan Manager Concur: Enclosure nuRentl, onopu AUG 4 27 AI WATES POSTA SERVICE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE Facilities Department 475 L'Enfant Plaza. SW Washington. DC 20260-6400 October 31, 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 hreby submits a nomination for the post office located at 2 Abbott Street, Middlesex County, Woburn, Massachusetts. If you have any questions concerning this nomination, please contact me at (202) 268-3107. Sincerely, Loaka 1.
Sau Realty Acquisition Specialist, Principal Realty Acquisition Division Office of Real Estate Attachment NOV 5 1986 GATES U.S.MAIL SERVICE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE FACILITIES SERVICE CENTER REAL ESTATE DIVISION WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT 06006-0330 September 1, 1987 Ms. Carol D. Shull Chief of Registration National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of Interior Washington, DC 20240-1002 Dear Ms. Shull: The Postal Service is pleased to submit nominations for the following Post Office facilities: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 119 Elm St., Worcester County, Millbury, MA 217_Commerical St., Branstable County, Provincetown, MA 37 Taunton Green, Bristol County, Taunton, MA 2 Abbott St., Middlesex County, Woburn, MA 58 Church St., Worcester County, Whitinsville, MA 321 Main St., Middlesex County, Wakefield, MA 7. 48 Waterford Rd., Middlesex County, Winchester, MA 8.
75 Park St., Bristol County, Attleboro, MA 9. 90 Center St., Plymouth County, Middleborough, MA Some of these nominations were submitted previously and returned in order that full quadrangle maps could be included. This has been done in all cases. Shouldthere be any questions concerning these nominations, please do not hesitate to call me on 203-285-/181. Sincerely, MiliamfMasail William S. Yoncr1e1 Real Estate Specialist, Principal Enclosures CC: John Sorenson Realty Acquisition Specialist, Principal Washington, DC SEP 4 1987
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