Nomination for New Boston Inn

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

1451 NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 8-86) OMB No. 1024-0018 RECEIVED United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form AUG 3 1988 NATIONAL REGISTER This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or districts. See instructions in Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials, and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheets (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. 1.

Name of Property historic name New Boston Inn other names/site number Location street & number Junction Routes 8 and 57 city, town Sandisfield state Massachusetts code 025 county Berkshire N/A not for publication N/A] vicinity code 003 zip code02155 3. Classification Ownership of Property private public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property building(s) district site structure object Name of related multiple property listing: N/A Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing buildings sites structures objects 0 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 4.

State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this #nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the NationalRegister ofHistoric Places and meetsthe procedural and professional requirementsset forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the propertymeets Jdoes not meet the National Register criteria. J See continuation sheet. Valme A Yalmae 7 28 88 Signature of certifying official Date xecutive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission State or Federal agency and bureau State Historic Preservation Officer In my opinion, the property L ] meets does not meet the National Register criteria. See continuation sheet. Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency and bureau 5.

National Park Service Certification 1, hereby, certify that this property is: 2entered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register.L See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. Ehn MeloraByen gisten 9/1/8r removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) Signature of the Keeper Date of Action 6. Function or Use New Boston Inn, Sandisfiield, MA Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Domestic/ single dwelling Domestic / hotel Domestic/ hotel Governinent/ post office 7. Description Architectural Classification (enter categories from instructions) New England Colonial federal Adamesque Materials (enter categories from instructions) Stone/ granite foundation walls.

Wood/ weatherboard Asphalt roof other Describe present and historic physical appearance. The New Boston Inn, Sandisfield, is located on a 2.0-acre lot on the northwest cora rise abeventeeseest naok ofte lest ranchof the faroneo te erele, approximately .8 mile north of the confluence of the West Branch with Clam River, and about a quarter mile west of the Sandisfield-Tolland town boundary. The Inn is located at the Farmington River West Branch crossing of an important historic roadway corridor (Route 53) leading from the Connecticut River valley into the Berkshire uplands. To the north and northwest of the Inn, the wooded terrain slopes steeply upward toward Snow Mountain (elevation 1,539 feet). To the south however, there extends for about a half mile the level floodplain of Clam River and West Branch Farmington River.

To the east beyond the river, the valley of the West Branch rises steeply to Tolland Mountain. The area in the immediate vicinity of the Inn, the village of New Boston, contains several mid-19th century buildings. However, the New Boston Inn is eligible for individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Thewood-frame Inn complex represents several phases of construction. The earliest core of the complex consists of a mid 18th-century, four-bay, structure, originally with a three-room plan arranged around a central interior chimney. This structure appears to have been raised to two stories some time after its initial construction. To the east wall of this building, there was added ca. 1790 a 2-1/2 story, single-pile, five-bay, end-chimney house. At some point in the 19th century, a sixth bay was added to the northern end of the ca. 1790 addition.

In the last quarter of the 19th century, a two-story rear ell, consisting of first floor carriage bays and second floor grain storage was extended northward from the main house block, and connected to a 2-1/2 story, three-bay barn. A basement extends under much of the ca. 1790 addition, and under the mid 18th-century core structure. fieldstone. The foundation is made up of dry-laid, granite Exterior siding is cedar clapboard which replaced earlier EATE clapboard siding. The oldest portion of the structure has a shallow, tar-covered, pitched roof, and the ca. 1790 and later additions have moderately pitched roofs, with asphalt shingles. Three brick chimneys are present. One emerges in the center of the core structure roof. Two emerge through the roof ridge of the ca. 1790 addition, one in the southernmost, end-bay, the other in the fifth bay from the south.

X See continuation sheet OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 NPS Form10-000~ (8-00) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet New Boston Inn, Sandisfield, MA Section number - Page - The main, east-facing facade of the Federal period structure presently contains six bays, with five window openings on the first and second stories, all with 12/12 sash. The primary decorative element of the east elevation, and of the exterior of the Inn as a whole, is the entablatured main entry surround. This features paired, fluted pilasters that flank 6/6 sidelights. The entry itself is a raised-panel door. On the second floor above the main entry is a three-part window, with 6/6 sidelights flanking the central 12/12 window.

This decorative combination of entry surround with sidelights and second-story, three-part window appears on at least two other ca. 1800, two-story houses in Sandisfield (MHC inventory numbers 65 and 76), although these latter have central-chimney, rather than central-hall plans. The south elevation of the building contains the fully pedimented gable end of the Federal period component of the Inn, and the more irregular south facade of the mid-18th century core structure. The Federal component has two regularly spaced windows on the first and second stories. The core structure contains four irregularly spaced windows and a doorway on the first story, and five irregularly spaced windows on the second story. Al1 windows have 12/12 sash.

The west elevation of the core structure contains two irregularly spaced windows and a door on the first story, and three irregularly spaced windows on the second story. Attached to the west elevation is a 12 foot wide porch that extends eastward to the doorway on the south elevation. The north elevation contains two irregularly spaced windows on the first and second stories of the core structure, and two irregularly spaced windows on the first and second stories of the Federal period component. The east facing facade of the carriage shed ell contains on the first story a doorway and six irregularly spaced windows, five of them with six panes, and one with 6/6 sash. 8/12 sash. The west elevation of the carriage shed contains on the first story three entries, one in a projecting vestibule, and five irregularly spaced windows. On the second story are nine irregularly spaced windows.

The attached barn features a central bay entry on the south-facing, gable-end facade. the peak of the gable is a nine-paned window. The east elevation of the barn beced of the pabte 1is e nrsepone arma the contains a triple-window, each part with 12/12 sash. Although much altered, the interior of the mid 18th-century core structure appears to retain some 18th-century elements, including raised panelling, beam casings, and doors. The Federal period component retains most of its interior plan and ornament, including the central-hall, two-room plan with projecting end-wall fireplaces and mantels on the first floor; and a 20x40 foot second-story ballroom, with vaulted ceiling, decorative fireplace mantels, sprung dance floor, and service dumbwaiter.

continued NPS Form 10-900 (8-80) United States Department of the Interior NationalParkService National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ Page - OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 New Boston Inn, Sandisfield, MA Major modification of the Inn include a series of alterations to the interior of the 18th-century core structure, including the removal (date unknown) of the interior chimney stack. These changes most likely occurred through the 19th and into the mid-20th century. The other major modern modification was the conversion of the late 19th-century carriage shed ell to guest rooms in 1985. continued NP8 Form10-000e (8-06) United States Department of the Interior NationalParkService National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _7 Page OMB Approvel No.

1024-0018 New Boston Inn, Sandisfield, MA Archaeological Description While no sites are currently recorded on the property, it is possible that sites are present. The physical characteristics of the property, situated on a rise above the west bank of the West Branch of the Farmington River about .8 mile north of the confluence of the West Branch with Clam River, would have made this an attractive area for native settlement and subsistence activities. Route 53, an important historic roadway corridor that borders the parcel,may have also been an important native trail through the area link1ng the Berkshire and Connecticut Valley areas. Potential also exists for historical remains on the property. Structural remains of outbuildings and occupation-related features (trash pits, privies, wells) might exist around the inn or in open areas on the parcel.

In general, however, the likelihood of recovering significant archaeological remains, either prehistoric or historic, is low as a result of recent improvements to the property. A large sewerage disposal system and parking lot have been installed to the rear of the inn. Topsoil has also been stripped from most open areas. 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

New Boston Inn. Sandisfield. Massachusetts Certifyingofficial has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: nationally statewide X locally D Applicable National Register Criteria Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Architecture Conmerce Period of Significance ca. 1750 - 1938 Significant Dates ca. 1750 ca. 1800 Cultural Affiliation N/A Significant Person N/A Architect/Builder N/A State significance of property, and justify criteria,criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. The New Boston Inn, Sandisfield, a building complex with components dating from the mid-18th to the late 19th century, retains integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, and association.

The major landmark in the village of New Boston, the complex includes the best-preserved central-hall, Federal period building in Sandisfield, and has operated as an Inn nearly continuously for over 230 years to the present. The New Boston Inn represents anunusually well-preserved example of the type of rural hotel associated with the overland transport system of upland interior Massachusetts in the 18th and 19th centuries, and with the discovery of the scenic Berkshire uplands as a resortby early 20th-century automobile tourists. As such it fulfills criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places. Housatonic Township Number Three (later Sandisfield) was one of four townships located between Westfield and Sheffield that were granted by the Massachusetts General Court in 1737.

The township's proprietors were primarily_prominent Worcester County men speculating on the rise in value of western lands. By the early 1750s, the township's meadow lands and strong uplands soils were attracting settlers from the older: more densely populated towns to the south and east. In particular, many families came from Wethersfield, Connecticut and from Cape Cod. The reported first settlers were the Brown family, who came from Enfield, Connecticut, and who played a prominent role in the initial settlement and subsequent development of Sandisfield. The Browns settled in the eastern part of the township, near an extensive bottomland tract at the juncture of the Clam River and the West Branch of the Farmington River.

location's importance as a transportation node was assured in 1748 by its choice as the location of the Farmington River bridge for the first road from New Marlborough to Sheffield. Daniel Brown, originally from Bedford, Massachusetts, was a major landholder in the new township. In the 1750s, he was responsible for laying out new roadways, served on the committee to build the first meetinghouse, and was granted the right to build a X See continuation sheet 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References New Boston Inn, Sandisfield, Massachusetts Previous documentation on file (NPS): -preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested previously listed in the National Register previously determined eligible by the National Register designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # recorded by Historic American Engineering Record# 10. Geographical Data Acreage of property 2.0 UTM References A18 658970 Zone Easting 4661780 Northing X See continuation sheet Primary location of additional data: X State historic preservation office Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Specify repository: B D See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description See assessors' map.

See continuation sheet Boundary Justification The boundaries include the Inn yardlot and an adjacent field historically associated with the operation of the Inn. See continuation sheet 11. Form Prepared By name/title Michael Steinitz w/Betsy Friedberg, Nati'l. Reg. Dir., Mass. Hist. Comm. organization Massachusetts Historical Commission May 1988 street & number 80 Boylston Street telephone (617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state zip code 02115 NPS Form 10-000e (8-06) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page. OMB Approvel No. 10240018 New Boston Inn, Sandisfield, MA sawmill. He served as the proprietors' clerk and treasurer, and later as the town's first moderator, as selectman, and as assessor.

house (the mid 18th-century core of the New Boston Inn) is mentioned as early as 1752 in the proprietors' records, and by 1757 he was referred to as an Inn holder. The town of Sandisfield was incorported in 1762. Three years later it had 409 inhabitants. By 1800, the population had more than quadrupled to number 1857, would never again see: Although the agricultural economy was mixed, cattle raising and dairying remained the primary activities through the 18th and 19th centuries. Cheese production was preeminent in the mid-19th century, replaced by butter and milk production, which remained the The town also led the state in the production of maple sugar in the late 19th century. In 1875, 227 of 325 employed males were listed as farmers, and another 45 as laborers.

The failure of the town to secure a railroad route along the Farmington River valley led to a steep population decline in the second half of the 19th century, as new development bypassed the upland community. The number of inhabitants dropped from 1649 in 1,850, to 657 in 1905, and remained at a low level through the first half of the 20th century. The history of the New Boston Inn coincided with these transformations in the Sandisfield economy and population. With the expansion of the town's population in the late 18th century, the Brown family took advantage of their location on a major transportation corridor. In addition to the Inn, the family operated the first store in the town. In 1792, Daniel Brown Some time after this, Sanford Brown built a 2-1/2 story Federal style addition to the original structure.

the Inn's New Boston location was enhanced by the incorporation of the Tenth Massachusetts Turnpike, to Lee, Westfield, Montville, Winstead, and Otis subsequently operated through New Boston, now at a junction of major east-west and north-south highways. A post office was located at the Inn from 1825 to 1839, and a small village developed on either side of the river crossing. By the late 1850s a rake factory, saw mill, and tanneries were located nearby, and in the 1870s, a grist mill, saw mill, and boot and shoe shop were operating in the area. The Inn remained in the Brown family until Sanford Brown's death in 1841. It was sold by Samuel Parsons to Orlow Northway in 1855, and purchased by Charles H. Hunt in 1874. Hunt then operated the Inn until his death in 1896. Hunt probably built the carriage shed and grain storage addition and barn in the last quarter of the 19th century.

These do not appear on the 1876 county continued NPS Form 10,000 8-05) United States Department of the Interior NationalPark Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 New Boston Inn Sandisfield, Massachusetts Page atlas, but in 1885, the county history notes that the New Boston Inn, under Hunt's "thorough repairs" had been converted into a first class country hotel." Hunt's death came as the decline in the town's rural economy and population was reaching its low point, and with diminished overland stage and freight traffic, the hotel undoubtedly went through a period of stagnation. However, as the Berkshire region was transformed into a resort area by automobile tourists in the 1920s, the Inn once again became an active stopping point, this time for urbanites taking the scenic route up the Farmington River valley, and in search of a rural retreat.

In the 90 years after Hunt's death, the Inn passed through a dozen owners, the most notable of whom were probably Russell and Rosamund Chapin, who ran the Inn between 1946 and 1955. Chapin was an operatic singer who staged numerous concert performances at nearby Jacob's Pillow, and at the New Boston Inn itself. Under the present ownership of Kevin Hickey and Eileen 0'Gara, the New Boston Inn continues to operate as both a restaurant and an inn. OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 IPS Form 10-000 (8-06) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page - New Boston Inn, Sandisfield, MA 9. Major Bibliographical References Atlas of Berkshire County, Massachusetts (Barnes & Farnum, 1904). Berkshire County Registry of Deeds, Great Barrington, MA. County Atlas of Berkshire, Massachusetts (New York: J.W.

Beers, 1876). Field, Aaron W. "Sandisfield: Its Past and Present," Collections Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society 5 (1884): 69-104. History of the County of Berkshire Massachusetts, ed. David Dudley Field (Pittsfield, MA: Samuel W. Bush, 1829). "Map of Berkshire County." (H.F. Walling, 1858). Sandisfield Bicentennial, 1762-1962 (Sandisfield, MA: Bicentennial Committee, 1962). Shephard, George H. "Town of Sandisfield," in History of Berkshire County Massachusetts, Vol. 2, ed. J.E.A. Smith (New York: J.B. Beers, 1885). Wood, Frederick J. The Turnpikes of New England (New York: Marshall Jones Company, 1919). OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY New Boston Inn NAME: MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Berkshire DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 8/03/88 9/01/88 REFERENCE NUMBER: 88001459 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: OTHER: PDIL: PERIOD: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N COMMENT WAIVER: N LACCEPT -_RETURN ___REJECT ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: DATE OF PENDING LIST: DATE OF 45TH DAY: 8/16/88 9/17/88 LESS THAN 50 YEARS: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N N 9/1/58 .DATE Entered in the Hational Register AESTRACTZSUMMARY COMMENTS (CONTINUED FRÖM PREVIOUS SIDE) Decision: Date: Signature: Title: see attached SLR Y/N DOCUMENTATION see ottoched comments Y/N CLASSIFICATION -...count ...resource type STATE/FEDERAL A AGENCY CERTIFICATION FUNCTION ..historic .-..current DESCRIPTION _architectural classificotion SIGNIFICANCE .criterio ..Pertods of sig.

-...ig. person .Materials ._descriptive text -.criterio considerations _significant dates ..architect/builder -..areas of sig. cultural affl. ....sig. statement BIBLIOGRAPHY GEOCRAPHICAL DATA -.acreage .._.UTMS -.erbol boundary description --boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION -__sketch maps ...USGS Maps -._.photographs OTHER COMMENTS .Presentation Questions concerning the nomination may be directed to Signed Date Phone vEW BOSTaN IN RT55 8 &57 SANDISFIEZO MA wom w mCCARTHO 6186 NºG AT NB1 #1 OF 4 EASTERN FACE NEW BOSTON INN RTES 8 $ 57 SANDISFIELD, MA WM.N.MCCARTHY NEb. ATNG1 # / 064 EASTERM FACE 6|86 NEW BOSTON INN RTES 8851 SAWDSFELD MA WM N meCARTt 6/84 N3G AT Nº of.

SOUTH FROM NE CORNOM BARN NEW BOSTON INN RTES 8$57 SANDISFIELD,MA WM N M CARTNY 6|86 NEG 91 NBI #2 of4 SOUTH FROM NE COZMER BARN NOWBOSTON INN RTES 8&57 SANDISFERO NA NAG ATNeAETt 6/84 #3 OF 4 FEDORAL FRONT (EAST) NEW BOSTON INN RIES 8 $ 57 SANDISFIELO,MA WN N 6186 NEG ATNBI * 3 OHY FEDERAL FRONT (EAST) 15 PTES 3055NN RTES 8 SANDISFIORA MA win N 6/86 SO THIEN PACE NEW BOSTON INN RTES 8 £57 SANDISFIELD, MA WM N MCCARTARY 6/86 NEG AT NBI # 4 oF 4 DOUTHERN FACE New Boston Inn Route 57 & 8 Village of New Boston Sandisfield, Mass, 01255 James N. Parrish, 8/31/87 Ro11 1,Frame 0 ,1 of 15 View NW., Front facade of New Boston Inn NEW BOSTON INN RTE 57 VICLAGE DF NEW BOSTON SANDISFIELO, MA 0255 JAMES N.DAZRISH, 8/21/87 ROLG 1, FRAME 0, 10615 VIEWO NW., BRONT FAGAUE OR YÇW BOSTON INN New Boston Inn Route 57 & 8 Village of New Boston Sandisfield, Mass, 01255 James N.

Parrish, 8/31/87 Ro11 1, Frame Oa, 2 of 15 View North of front of New Boston Inn, Barn Attached NEw BOSTON INM RTE 57 &8 VILLAGE OF NEW BOSTOX SANDISFIELD, MA O125S - JAMES N. >AZA ISH, 8/31/8) TOLL 1, ERAME 0A, 8OF 15 VIEW NORTH OF FRONT OE NEW BOSTON INN, BARN ATTACHE). SPEED LIMIT 25 - NEW BOSTON INN New Boston Inn Route 57 & 8 Village of New Boston Sandisfield, Mass, 01255 James N. Parrish, 8/31/87 Roll 1, Frame la, 3 of 15 View West of South elevation Circa 1792, Rear ell 1737-1750 NEW SOSTON INN RTE 57 8 VILLAGE DE NEW BOSTON SANDISFIELD, MA 01955 JAMES N.PARIISH, 8/31/87 ROL61, GRAME 19, 3 0F15 VIEW WeST OF SOUTH ELEVATION CA.IZTE, REAI 8LL 1737-1750 New Boston Inn Route 57 & 8 Village of New Boston Sandisfield, Mass, 01255 James N.

Parrish, 8/31/87 Ro1l 1, Frame 15a, 10 of 15 View of Mantel and Fireplace, South end of Ball Room NEw BOsTON INN RI 57 8 VILLAGE OI NEWO BOSTON SANDISFIEGD, MA 81255 JAMES No DATERISHA, 8/31/87 206L1, ERAME 15A, 10 oF1s- VIEW O6 MANTEL OND PIRENGACE SOUTHEND Of BALL ZOOM ER RED New Boston Inn Route 57 & 8 Village of New Boston Sandisfield, Mass, 01255 Copy Photo from Neg, View of the South end of the Ball Room on the second floor, Circa 1935 NEW BOSTON INN RTE 57 VILLAGE OF NEW BOSTON GANDISFIECD, MA 01255 CODY PHOTO CROM NEG.

VIELO Of THE SOUTH END OFTHE BALL 200M ON THE SECONO FLODR, CA 1935 Missing Core Documentation Property Name New Boston Inn County, State Berkshire, Massachusetts Reference Number 88001459 The following Core Documentation is missing from this entry: _ Nomination Form X Photographs (#s: 4-9, 11-15) USGS Map * COMMISSIO 1 Comnonikat V KerL July 22, 1988 Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service P.O. Box 37127 Washington, DC 20013-7127 Dear Ms.

Shull: Enclosed you will find the nomination forms for the following properties: Conway, Burkeville Covered Bridge; Main Poland Road over South River Sandisfield, New Boston Inn; Junction Routes 8 and 57 Shirley, Shirley Center Historic District Wellfleet, John Newcomb House; one-half mile N of Gull Pond Road Wellfleet, Rowell Estate; Gull Pond Road Yarmouth, Thomas Bray Farm; 280 Weir Road They have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Owners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting and were afforded the opportunity to comment. No comments have been received to date. Sincerely, Setey, Betsy Friedberg Friedserg BY National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission BF/bq AUG - 3 1988 Enclosure Massachusetts Historical Commission, Valerie A.

Talmage, Executive Director, State Historic Preservation Officer 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 727-8470 Office of the Secretary of State, Michael J. Connolly, Secretary