Nomination for US Post Office--Provincetown Main

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-306 (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES FOR NPS USE ONLY SEP RECEIVED INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM DATE ENTERED FOR FEDERAL PROPERTIES SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 4 1987 OCT | 9 1987 2 3 4 NAME HISTORIC UNITED STATES POST OFFICE AND/OR COMMON LOCATION PROVINCETOWN MAIN POST OFFICE STREET & NUMBER 217 COMMERCIAL STREET CITY.

TOWN PROVINCETOWN STATE - VICINITY OF CODE 1050 _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 10TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT COUNTY CODE BARNSTABLE 001 MASSACHUSETTS 02657 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY -DISTRICT & BUILDING(S) _STRUCTURE SITE -OBJECT OWNERSHIP X PUBLIC _PRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS N/ABEING CONSIDERED STATUS XOCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE ZYES: 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, - VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION STATE MASSACHUSETTS 02173 COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC.

BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGISTRY OF DEEDS STREET & NUMBER BARNSTABLE COUNTY COMPLEX - ROUTE 6A CITY. TOWN STATE MASSACHUSETTS BARNSTABLE REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS 02630 TITLE NONE DATE _FEDERAL STATECOUNTYLOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY. TOWN STATE 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION XEXCELLENT _GOOD - FAIR -DETERIORATED _RUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE XUNALTERED _ALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE. DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IFKNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

Situated on the south side of Commercial Street, the narrow, meandering main business and commercial byway of this Cape Cod community, the Provincetown Post Office, bordering Cape Cod Bay with its rear property line, is the prime stabilizing element in the neighborhood. Originally the residential area of late eighteenth and nineteenth century tosd tate crghoentn Provincetown, the closely built, one and two story wooden structures house every imaginable enterprise one might find in a close-knit summer resort and tourist area. Scattered among these colonial buildings are several Second Empire, Italianate and Victorian homes on the north side of Commercial Street..: Ihe site is small, with driveways filling each side yard of the building. The rear of the lot is entirely paved for postal and patron parking.

Small grassed plots, fronting each wing flanking the central core, are planted with mid-height evergreens. The Post Office is a striking two-story central core, Georgian style building with flanking one story wings. Generally "T" shaped, some 90 feet wide by 80 feet deep, the building contains 5,980 square feet of space on the first floor and 3,120 square feet of office space on the deep second floor core. The construction consists of concrete foundations on spread footings and caissons, a basement only at the rear section of the central core, masonry bearing walls, reinforced concrete floor slabs and steel and wood roof framing. Four broad, granite steps lead to the slightly projected three bay loggia, slightly recessed from the front facades of the flanking wings. Limestone. belts span the brick piers at the springline öf' each arch.

Large, multi-paned wood, double hung windows, rectangular in shape, flank the central pavilion on therinner loggia wall, which features the traditional, lead patterned fanlight transom over the entrance doors. A separate door in the right wall of the loggia leads to the enclosed, interior stair servicing the second floor offices. The original colonial lantern, suspended from the loggia ceiling, graces the central arch and pavilion. The large second floor windows, centered over the entrance arches and similar to those at the entrance, are capped with flat brick arches centered with limestone keystones. The same detailed fenestration is featured on each upper' side facade of the central core, over the roofs of the one story wings.

The facades of the buildings are faced with a full range of warm red brick, laid in common bond, differing from the more usual English or Flemish bonds normally associated with the Georgian style. The foundation, also brick faced, is separated from the wall mass by a limestone watertable and belt course that girdles the building at the floor line. NPS Form 10-700-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 recelved date entered Page 1 Each one story wing, flanking the deep, ornately carved, two story core, features two monumental, segmented arched windows, equally spaced on the front and rear facades, and four similar windows, again equally spaced, grace the end elevations of the flanking wings.

The wide, traditional brick quions of this period style provide simplistic ornamentation on each exterior corner. The facades of each wing are capped by limestone cornices, ornamented with rugged modillions and supporting the brick parapet. The blind limestone feature panels in the parapet are centered over the fenestration of the front and rear of the wings. On the side facades however, they are placed over the brick piers that separate the fenestration. The deep, two story central core is capped with a superbly detailed gable roof facing the street in pediment motif, with the sturdy, cut modillions bracketing the limestone cornice that creates a brick tympanum, punctuated with a circular window.

The sloping roofs facing the side elevations, supported by the familiar limestone modillioned cornice, are enhancedby six half-round dormers, deeper than the typical 'eyebrow' windows, that allow natural lighting to penetrate the attic space. Surmounting the high roof and centered on the lobby space is a nicely detailed, colonial windowed cupola, acting as a visual "beacon' , identifying this landmark from the remote parts of Commercial Street. The lobby is exceptional. Ten foot high, gray marble wainscotting surrounds the terrazzo flooring of the lobby. A highly articulated wood, classical enframement, with semi-connected columns supporting a broken pediment, graces the vestibule's entrance and contains the leaded fanlight transom that mirrors the main, exterior entrance.

The arched motif of the front facade is reflected in the lobby, with each wall separated into three, arched segments. The center arch in each wall is prominent and all lockboxes and service window locations are surmounted by the delicate, arched fanlights. The rich detailing of the plaster soffits is repeated at the longitudinal plaster beams that separate the ceiling into the everpresent three bay theme.

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 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 (SPECICV SPECIFIC DATES Designed 1931 Constructed.1932 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

BUILDER/ARCHITECT J.A. Wetmore, Act. Sup. Arch't. Ratner-Stanhope Corp., Contrs. Constructed in 1932, the Provincetown Post Office possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship, as well as a significant association with the Federal Government's new, activist role in attempting to stimulate the depressed economy while demonstrating power and stability. Additionally, this building exemplifies the ultimate of the high standards set by the Treasury Architects in presenting the monumentality of the Federal Presence in a small, quaint community without totally overwhelming the character of the neighborhood. It thus meets National Register criteria A and C. Provincetown, ancient by anglo-american standards in terms of history, is actually the newcomer on the Cape when compared to the social and commercial interaction of the other towns in the area.

With fishing as its sole resource and shipping as its only method of transportation, the town, incorporated in 1722, actually ceased to exist during both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, when British warships used the sheltered harbor as their port. By. 1835 however, wharves had been built to accommodate the growing fishing industry, the County Road had been extended to the town's border and the population continued to expand with peoples of diversified ethnic backgrounds. Portuguese mariners became the dominant group in the community. The Civil War brought great prosperity to Provincetown with the ever- increasing demand for salt cod to feed the Armies of the Republic. The fishing fleet expanded and a new commercial and business population became firmly entrenched in this former, fishing village.

Passenger ships and mail packets from Plymouth and Boston now docked at the ETEE waterfront and, with the extension of the Old Colony Railroad in 1873, Provincetown became solidly united with the entire country. Commercial and residential construction boomed in the area and, conforming to 'yankee thrift', many homes located in the outlying, deserted fishing hamlets were floated across the bay for permanent relocation on Bradford and Commercial Streëts. One such structure, moved from Long Point to town, became an early, if not the first post office in Provincetown. This building still stands as a residence at 256 Bradford Street.

The rest of the file

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

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 Historic Provincetown, P. H. A. 1979 MHC Reconnaissance Survey Report, 1984 LO GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY UTM REFERENCES 0.618 A A[19| 14|0,1/6015 ZONE EASTING 14,615.5/7,1,0/ NORTHING BLI ZONE EASTIN LILILLL NORTHING CLL VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Beginning at a point on Commercial Street, thence running: Northeasterly 134' + along Commercial Street Southeasterly 141' + Southwesterly 122:] Northwesterly 130 along sea wall to the point of origin. 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 NAME / TITLE E.

Brett Heenan, Preservation Coordinator ORGANIZATION March 21, 1986 DATE THE BOSTON PARTNERSHIP, INC. STREET & NUMBER TELEPHONE 48 INMAN STREET (617) 492-8866 CITY OR TOWN STATE CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02139 12 CERTIFICATION OF NOMINATION STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER RECOMMENDATION NONE- Valui A Taemas 5|1/82 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER 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 ip which to present the nomination to the State Review Board and to evaluate its significance.

The evaluated level of significance is FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE A _National State - TITLE Realty Acquisition Specialist, Srincipal DATE 11-5.86 FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER atuich Andus AISTEDR OTECE T ARYEOLDEY AND HISTORIC PRESEAVATION DATE 10194 DATE 10//9/87 KEEAEROFTUENATIONA LREGIS GPO 899-214 NPS Form 10-300-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 recelved date entered Page 1 The turn of the century evidenced a decline at the waterfront, the heart of the community.

Although still a prime fishing port with new, cold storage warehouses, fifty odd piers, lost in the Portland Gale of 1898 had not been replaced and tourists, arriving by both railroad and steam packets, were the beginning of a new, diversified economic base for the community. All Provincetown industry had been ancillary to the cod-tishing fleet, which was slowly moving up the coast to base in Boston, and "Tourism" and the new attraction of 'bohemian lifestyle' began to change the pattern of the community. Many fish shacks and residences on Commercial Street were converted into large-windowed restaurants and stores, catering to the new trade. Fish and salt- storage houses were rehabilitated as artists lofts and playhouses. New construction however, continued to be rare.

With the Depression of 1929, the population of Provincetown, which had been in decline since 1915, increased yearly through 1936, possibly indicating an upswing in the fishing livelihood, but probably adding additional artistic temperment to the 'bohemian' element. Construction of new buildings and major renovation projects were virtually non- existant. It was in this atmosphere that the new Post Office was considered for thr now resort area of Provincetown. There was no evidence discovered, during research, as to political influence that would dictate the placement of this structure in the community, but it was unusual for a small, non-industrial area to receive governmental consideration as early as 1931.

Prior to the 1930 Ammendment to The Public Buildings Act, Federal awards were 'said to have been given for political favors, compensating the senators and gongressmen for their favorable vote in the true, 'pork-barrel' tradition. New programs however, gave legitimate consideration to those communities demonstrating actual business needs and more spatial requirements for their existing Federal agencies. Provincetown now received its first Federal Property, save for its two lighthouses, to be located on the water's edge, 'half- way down Commercial Street, then the western border of the business area. The Provincetown Post Office was designed during the tenure of Acting Supervising Architect James A. Wetmore.

Treasury policy, during these years of the Depression, was the adaptation of distinctvie lobby and facade treatment to standardized plans and details, quickly producing employment för the stagnant construction trades. The building mass and facade intent was designed to express the strength and ideals of the Federal Government, indicating its stability during adverse times and presenting a reassuring, tangible monument, in a style with which the local citizens felt comfortable. NPS Form 10-200-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 date entered Page 2 This fine brick ediface, embodying the best principles of Georgian architecture, is beautifully designed and detailed, a tribute to the efforts of the Treasury Architects. Both bold and sensitive, this strong architecture is representative of the government's active role in stimulating the economy and expressive of the high ideals set forth by the Hoover Administration. The architectural enrichment of the facades is reflected in the central, public lobby, to be enjoyed by the patrons during the daily interaction. Impressive in its surroundings and of considerable architectural merit, the Provincetown Post Office continues to express the resplendent power of the Federal Presence, and represents the best efforts of Fine Rivival style by the Treasury Architects.

This crisp and strong ediface, unaltered from its original design, is the major stabilizing element on Commercial Street and important for its contributing role to both Provincetown's environment and townscape. nace Point st Guard Stag TRAIL PROVINCETOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT CAPE -LANDS BICYCLE /P 460 R Pastures Londi Cl apps Rmond DISYCLE Clapps Pondr Herring Sn ke Herring cove Beach TRAIL C Province Lands Visitor Center D ~Pienic Great Ponct. Borat 211: 50 Bennett Mr Pond!!

*Duch Pond Shunk Painter Pund Telegraph A P E TIO :N AL -Grassy, Pond -0 20 150 OWIN -+M-Á8 Provincetown Cem .Cem Cem Pilgrim- - Monumeni C S E Oak N Head 50 VEED A Breakwater P ROVIA H cRadit Tawer 15 Shank Painter Bar 10 147 152 UNITED STATES POST OFFICE 217 COMMERCIAL STREET PROVINCETOWN, MA 02657 PROVINCTEOWN QUADRANGLE UTM: 19-4/01/605-46/55/710 Tidai Flat oin on8 begtr se ood End BOUNDARY, WASO Form - 177 ('R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET 87001772 US Post Office-Provincetown Main Barnstable County MASSACHUSETTS heaaative Revier resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Working No. SEP 74 1987 Fed. Reg.

Date: c 17/89 Date Due: 10/1/8) - 10/19/87 Action: -L0 519-8 -RETURN _REJECT- Federal Agency: - Substantive Review: *sample - request Lappeal eignificant Georgin Serirl L NR decision noat figu illustrative of Recom./Criteria. Aceet AAC local empact of orderal Discipline Aak ieshualdiston buildeig progreepeasion Date_ 10/18/87 - see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: _technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 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 Lno 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 X13. Other Mapat le au pndecnte property onefuce usts map. 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 PROVINCETOV U. S. POST OFFICE 217 COMMERCIAL STREET PROVINCETOWN, MA 02657 PHOTO DATE-JUNE 1985 VIEW FROM NORTHWEST FRONT ELEVATION CVI ASTE PA DNLT U. S. POST OFFICE 217 COMMERCIAL STREET PROVINCETOWN, MA 02657 PHOTO DATE-JUNE 1985 LOBBY-LOOKING NORTH TOWARD ENTRANCE NEGATIVES @ USPS-FREBO LEXINGTON, MA 02173 U. S.

POST OFFICE 217 COMMERCIAL STREET PROVINCETOWN, MA 02657 PHOTO DATE MARCH 1985 LOBBY-EAST WALL NEGATIVES @ USPS-FREBO LEXINGTON, MA 02173 GALLERY PRINTO-TEK -FRAMED PRINTS -GRAPHICS OW AWAY ZONE NO PARKING EITHER SIDE U. S. POST OFFICE 217 COMMERCIAL STREET PROVINCETOWN, MA 02657 PHOTO DATE-JUNE 1985 VIEW FROM SOUTHWEST RIGHT SIDE ELEV. NEGATIVES @ USPS-FREBO LEXINGTON, MA 02173 EITH ER SIDE EmPORIUM AND THE CANDLEMAKER U. S. POST OFFICE 217 COMMERCIAL STREET PROVINCETOWN, MA 02657 PHOTO DATE-JUNE 1985 VIEW FROM NORTHEAST LEFT SIDE ELEV. NEGATIVES @ USPS-FREBO LEXINGTON, MA 02173 JUL. 3 0 1908 MATES POSTA UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE Facilities Service Office P.O. Box 324 Lexington, MA 02173-0324 July 29, 1986 The Honorable James Jeffers Town Manager, Town of Provincetown Town Hall 200 Commercial Street Provincetown, MA 02657 Dear Town Manager Jeffers: The U.S.

Postal Service in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer in Boston has evaluated the Main Post Office in Provincetown 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, ylKeaney cm onyife, Toen Mamgn Enclosuje Bd MS . CC: Hestoucal Comm. QuG 8 10 01 AM '06 GATES POSTA UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE Facilities Department 475 L'Enfant Plaza. SW Washington. DC 20260-6400 November 6, 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 217 Commercial Street, Barnstable County, Provincetown, Massachusetts. If you have any questions concerning this nomination, please contact me at (202) 268-3107. Sincerely, akusSernus ealty acquisition specialist, Principal Realty Acquisition Division Office of Real Estate Attachment WATES POSTA U.S.MAI 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. 119 Elm St., Worcester County, Millbury, MA 217 Commerical St., Branstable County, Provincetown, MA 3. 37 Taunton Green, Bristol County, Taunton, MA 4. 2 Abbott St., Middlesex County, Woburn, MA 5. 58 Church St., Worcester County, Whitinsville, MA 6. 321 Main St., Middlesex County, Wakefield, MA 7. 48 Waterford Rd., Middlesex County, Winchester, MA 8. 9. 75 Park St., Bristol County, Attleboro, MA 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. Should there be any questions concerning these nominations, please do not hesitate to call me on 203-285-7181. Sincerely, wdliamfMarael William S.

loncriet Real Estate Specialist, Principal Enclosures CC: John Sorenson Realty Acquisition Specialist, Principal Washington, DC SEP 4 1987