Nomination for Sprague House

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 JUN date entered 4 1987 2 1987 historic Sprague House and or common 2. Location same street & number 59 Endicott Street N/A not for publication Danvers city, town N/A vicinity of state Massachusetts 3.

Classification Category Ownership district public X building(s) X private structure both site Public Acquisition object N/An process being considered code 025 county Essex code 009 Status occupied unoccupied work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted .no Present Use agriculture X commercial educational entertainment government industrial military museum park X private residence religious scientific transportation other: 4. Owner of Property name Ronald and Patricia S. Hodgdon street & number 59 Endicott Street city, town Danvers N/A vicinity 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 state Massachusetts 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic Assets of title the Commonwealth #600 has this property been determined eligible? -yes x - no date 1981 .federal X state county local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission, 80 Boylston Street city, town Boston state Massachusetts 7. Description Sprague House, Danvers, Massachusetts Condition excellent deteriorated X good ruins Check one X unaltered altered Check one x original site moved date fair unexposed Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Sprague House, built in the Danversport section of Danvers in 1810, 1s Tocated on asmall, trlangular corner lot at the intersection of Endicott Street and Needham Road. The property is located upland from the Waters River with the Cranes River to the east; both are tributaries of the Danvers River. Endicott Street today is a busy main road, while Needham Road, the original Endicott Road, is a lane running along the north side of the house. The Federal-style house faces south and overlooks the Waters River. It sits elevated approximately 30 feet from Endicott Street on its south side and approximately 14 feet from Needham Road to the north. The property is fronted by a stone wall and is framed by deciduous and evergreen trees, as well as Tow plantings. The 1/3-acre lot is slightly sloping.

The surrounding area 15 highly developed commercial and industrial property, with only a very small 20th century residential section located to the east. The main section of the house is 2 1/2 stories tall, while two wings, extending from the east and west sides, are only one story high. The malr block is five bays wide, with a centra entrance. Three chimeys are located at the end walls, two just in front of the gable ridge and one just to the rear of the ridge. The clapboard-sheathed building rests on a foundation of granite blocks, which has not been rebuilt. Only the main section of the house has a full basement. The shallow gable roof with narrow returns,originally covered with wooden shingles, is now sheathed with fiberglass shingles. The house is trimmed with simple corner boards and a narrow cornice throughout. Windows have simple architraves. Several retain their original blinds.

Double-hung 6/6 sash survives as well. The main block's south-facing facade is five bays wide with a central entrance. This central entry retains it original pediment, elliptical fanlight, and reeded pilasters with only the door itself being a 20th century replacement. An early 19th century Touvered storm, not in use at the present time, also survives. The windows are 6/6 double hung sash and have plain architraves and louvered shutters. The north, Needham Road elevation of the main block is also five bays wide with a central entrance. The north entry consists of an entablature, ellipical fanlight, plain pilasters, original door, and 19th century louvered storm door. All windows are again 6/6 sash, but with no shutters present. There is one basement window located to the west of the entry.

The east side of the main block is three bays deep; a small wing is attached to the northwest corner of the building. Fenestration is somewhat continued NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Danvers, Massachusetts Continuation sheet Sprague House, Item number OMB No.1024-0018 Expires 10-31-87 ate enteres Page 1 asymmetrically arranged, due to the presence of the wing. There are two windows on the first story placed directly below two windows located on the second story, while a third window is installed between the wing and the centrally placed first floor window. The gable peak holds a single third-story window. All are 6/6; the gable window is obscured by closed blinds. The east side also contains a window and stairway into the basement.

The steps appear appear to have been built at the same time as the foundation, and are of the same granite block, but the wooden bulkhead is a 20th century addition. The main block's west elevation, three bays deep, has a wing'attached to its nor theast corner. Aga in, the arrangement of fenestration is rather asymmetrical, with two windows on the second story located directly above two windows on the first floor, and a third window on the second story placed above the wing. The gable window is identical to the one on the east elevation. The gable-roofed east wing formerly two bays wide and two narrow bays deep, today displays a single window on its south side and a blank wall on its north Only the outline of former window openings remain. A modern door is set off center on the wing's eastern, gable end.

The western wing, of similar size and roof profile, has 1ikewise received alterations. A door is situated in the center of the south side, and a 20th centur y window combination has been installed on the north side of the west wing. The west, gable-end side displays a blank wall. The building's interior plan is that of a traditional center-hall residence with two rooms to each side. The single-story wings provide one more room to each side on the first floor. The south stairway retains round newel posts, plain, square-cut balusters and carved decoration on the outside string, very similar to the carving of Samuel McIntire in the Gardner-Pingree House in Salem, Massachusetts. (Any association with McIntire is unsubstantiated.) The dining room contains a Federal-period mantle with applied decoration in the Adamsque style.

The parlor contains a Samuel McIntire-style carved mantle with rope carving and receded pilasters. The kitchen retains its original fireplace complete with hearth and beehive oven. All rooms on the first floor conta in wide board horizontal wainscotting with the exception of the west wing. The dining room, parlor, and south hall have additional decorative molding in the wainscotting. All but one of the rooms on the first floor of the main structure contain "pocket" shutters with raised panels. On the second floor, there are four bedrooms: two to each side of the hall with modern bathrooms added in between.

One bedroom contains a mantle very continued 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 Sprague House, Danvers, Massashysümber *or NPG Hered 7 Page similar to that which is in the southwest bedroom of the Gardner-Pingree House. This room is the only room on the second floor to have pocket shutters and wainscotting. Other original interior finishes include raised paneled doors with brass latches throughout, ceiling hooks, and the original north entry door complete with its nineteenth century brass rimlock and key. Alterations have been minimal and include the addition of the 2 1/2 baths, replacement of all exterior doors except the north entry, replacement of most of the 6/6 sash with the same, and the inconspicuous addition of heating ducts.

The property also contains an early 20th century garage, measur ing 12 by 19 eet, located approximately 27 feet west of the house, 18 feet from Needham oad, and 37 feet from Endicott Street. It is a wood frame structure with asphalt roof and concrete floor. Archaeology While no prehistoric sites are currently recorded on the property, it is possible that sites may be present. Artifacts reportedly have been found in the vicinity of the house, and several known sites are located nearby. Situated on a tongue of land between two tidal rivers, Crane and Waters, the area would have been attractive to prehistoric people. However, given the intens ive development in the area (including the removal of rock outcrops on the Sprague House property), it is unclear whether any significant remnants survive. There is also a potential for historical archaeological resources.

Occu pation related features (trash pits, privies, wells) are likely around the house. Controlled testing and excavation of these features can provide detailed information on the social, cultural, and economic patterns which character ized this prosperous Danvers family dur ing the late 18th and early 19th centur ies. OMB NO. 1024-0018 Expires 10-31-87 2 8.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Spraque House, Danvers, Massachusetts Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 X 1800-1899 1900 Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below - archeology-prehistoric community planning archeology-historic conservation agriculture economics architecture education art engineering commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention landscape architecture law literature military music philosophy politics/government Specific dates ca. 1810 Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) Builder/Architect unknown The Sprague House, Danvers, possesses integrity of location, design, materials and workmanship as well as associations with the Sprague family, a wealthy and influential family in nearby Salem who built the nominated property as a summer house in 1810. This well-preserved country residence is one of the few surviving Federal-style houses in Danvers. Its particularly well-detailed interior finishes are especially notable. The property therefore meets Criterion C of the National Register of Historic Places on the local level. The Sprague farmhouse is one of the earliest and most notable structures in Danversport, in the southeastern section of Danvers. This area saw development from farmland to shipbuilding to, in the 20th century, industrialization and suburbanization.

(Today the house stands essentially isolatedby 20th century highway and commercial construction.) Its location on a slight rise between two tributaries of the Danvers River made it an ideal site for a summer residence. The land on which the farm, eventually totaling 112 acres, stood was originally part of Governor John Endicott's estate. The most prominent owners of the property were its original owners, Major Joseph Sprague and his son, Joseph Jr. Joseph Sprague was born in Medford in 1739 and in the late 1760s, moved to Salem from Newburyport. A successful merchant, distillery owner, and citizen, Sprague was a member of the Salem Committee of Safety and distinguished himself dur ing the Revolutionary War.

Partial owner of a number of ships, Sprague also owned a large estate in In 1787, he purchased a 96-acre farm in Danvers from the estate of John Felt, and dur ing the next few years purchased an additional 19 adjoining acres from Joseph Endicott, the land being part of the original 1632 land grant of Gov. John Endicott between the Crane and Waters Rivers. Ma jor Sprague died in 1807. His estate, valued in excess of $86,000, was divided among his son, Joseph Jr., and his daughter, Sarah White Stearns. Joseph Jr. purchased the Danvers farm, buying his sister's share for $3,080. Joseph Jr., a graduate of Harvard, was born in Salem in 1771. Like his father, he was a merchant; he also served as a representative to the General During the War of 1812, Sprague improved his fortune through privateering. In 1807, he had a fine townhouse built for himself in Salem, designed by Samuel McIntire.

In 1810, Joseph Jr. built the nominated property, a large 2 1/2 story Federal-style housewithstylish entrance ornamented with pediment, fanlight, and pilasters.. In July 1911, noted Salem minister and diarist William Bentley wrote that he "was received by Mr. Sprague in his new House built last religion science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) continued 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References See continuation sheet 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property less than one acre Quadrangle name Salem UT M References ^19| 1314121610) 417/112431d Zone Easting Northing cLyLLILL ELULLILL Gbi LiLi LiliLil Verbal boundary description and justification See attached assessor's map. ownership. Quadrangle scale 1:25,000 BLILLu LliLu Easting Northing -LLLiLLLILILL FL LLILuJ LILILu HL LLILLL LILILLL The boundaries coincide with those of the present List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state N/A code county code state code county code 11.

Form Prepared By Betsy Friedberg, Preservation Planner, Massachusetts Historical Commission, with Patricia Hodgon organizatioMassachusetts Historical Commission date January 1987 street & number 80 Boylston Street telephone 617-727-8470 Boston city or town state Massachusetts 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state X local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the 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 Otticer signature Vacene A l almage State Historic Preservation Officer title Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commissionate May 22,1987 For NPS use only ertify that this property is included in the National Register Ahiloreß Batered in thie fortoperor ne Maional Regiter National Register date 2-2-87 Attest: date Chief of Registration U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1983 0 - 419-311 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 Sprague House, Danvers, Massafensetber 8 Page 1822. His was one of several summer houses erected in the Danversport area by Salem merchants in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1833, three years before his death, Joseph Sprague Jr. sold the farm to and Margaret Needham for $6,000.

a farmer born in 1786 in Salem, sold the property to Nathan and Mary Page in 1837. The Pages owned the farm for 46 years until they sold it to their daughter, Lydia Page Whipple, and her husband George Whipple. The property then passed through many owners and was acquired by Ronald and Patricia S. Hodgdon in 1984. Its land area substantially diminished over time, the now-2 1/2 acre property is no longer farmed. Instead, the Hodgdons run an antiques business from their home. The Sprague House is architecturally significant as an excellent example of a Federal-style country residence, a rare remnant in Danvers. Its braced frame construction, multiple chimeys, rectangular center-hall plan, entries, and interior details are typical of a fashionable residence of the period. nominated property retains a remarkable amount of its original fabric and deta ils.

Al though modest in its exterior finishes, its stylish and essentially unaltered interior embellishments add to its distinction. The interior carvings resemble those of architect and artist-carver Samuel McIntire (1757-1811) in Salem, particularly in the Gardner-Pingree House. McIntire is known to have done work for both Major Sprague (whose Salem house, designed by MoIntire, survives at 380 Essex Street and was listed in the National Register as part of the Chestnut Street Historic District in 1973), and Joseph Jr. in Salem. The resemblance between the carving of the Sprague House in Danvers and those of McIntire's residences in Salem suggest that the wel1-known artisan/architect may have had some association with the nominated property. This association is hypothetical in nature and has not been substantiated in any way. OMB No.

1024-0018 Expires 10-31-87 COUNTING RESOURCES Buildings CONTRIBUTING 1 NONCONTRIBUTING 1 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 Sprague House, Danvers, Masstehysimber Expires -s 120-30-8 For NPS uee anh daté entered 9 Page 1 Diary of William Bentley, V. 4, Peter Smith, Gloucester, Mass. The Danvers Historical Society, Danvers Historical Society Collections, V. 7, Danvers, Mass., 1919. The Sprague Family file at the Danvers Archival Center. Essex County Registry of Deeds, V. 257, 1, 220, V. 298, 1. 72, Salem, Mass. Kimball, Fiske, Mr. Samuel McIntire, Carver. The Architect of Salem, Peter Smith, Gloucester, Mass. for The Essex Institute, Salem, Mass., 1966. The Essex Institute, Essex Institute Historical Collections, V. 64, p. 5-7, Salem, Mass.

The Essex Institute, Sttem, Rcord, of Danvers, printed by Newcomb & Giauss for The Essex Institute, Sitem, Reosd, of Salen, printed by Newcomb & Gauss for James Duncan Phillips, Trustee of the Essex Institute, Salem in the Eighteenth Century, printed by the Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., for the Essex Institute, 1969. 82001108 WASO Form - 177 ("R"June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Sprague House Essex County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: -sample Reviewer's comments: Lrequest Entered Me B4Qnc. Lappeal JUN Working No. Fed. Reg. Date: _ Date Due: - Action: Estete _RETURN _REJECT Federal Agency: _ LNR decision Recom./Criteria.

Reviewer Discipline Date see continuation sheet 1987 7/19/87 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 J excellent good fair - deteriorated Jruins unexposed Check one - 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 summary paragraph completeness clarity J applicable criteria justification of areas checked -relating significance to the resource context J relationship of integrity to significance -iustification 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: GPO 918-450 Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet The sprague Farm 59 Encicolt Street - Danuers, MA Protearehendicoft sireet, banvers Photo # / of 2 View: Rear (North) elevation showing entrep and east and west wings, The Spraque Farm - 59 Endicott Street Danuers, MA Photographer: PATRICIA HODGDON - 59 Endicott Street, Danuers Photo # 2 of 2 South (Front) and west elevations -showing main entrp, garage and Endicott Street. 1 Copy 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 Carol Shull, Keeper National Register of Historic Places P.O. Box 37127 Washington, D.C. 20013-7127 Dear Ms.

Shu1l: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Danvers, Sprague House, 59 Endicott Street. Pittsfield, Providence Court, 379 East Street. The properties have been voted eligible by the State Review Board. were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nominations forms. Sincerely, Betry Fredkes Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission VT/dr Enclosure JUN 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 727-8470 4 1987 Carol Shull 18,1987 DRHP Depet of luteriar, NPS Tüx372720013075F Dear Ms. Shull, Enclosed you will find the following nomination fomy! PDanvas, SPRAGUE HOUSE, 59 ENDicoti' Street.

Pittsfield, PeNdence Cut,379 Fast Street ) nis shimued - be on Glossary, Al1 have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Oiners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nomination forms. Sincerely, enn Betzf Fruedtnig