Nomination for Thompson School

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

436 NPS Form10-900 (Rev. 8-86) OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form APR 2 4 1989 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 Thompson School other names/site number 2. Location street & number Prospect Street city, town Webster state MA code MA county Worcester code N/A not for publication N/Avicinity 027 zip code 01570 3. Classification Ownership of Property X private public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property X building(s) district site structure object Name of related multiple property listing: Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing 0 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 LX nomination Lrequest for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National RegisterofHistoric Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property [X meets does not meet the National Register criteria. see continuation sheet. Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Commission 4|18/89 Signature of certifying official State Historic Preservation Öfficer nTdemage State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property 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 I, hereby, certify that this property is: Ventered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. Bittx Sarge 6-7-89 removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) for Signature of the Keeper Date of Action 6. Function or Use Thompson School, Webster, Massachusetts Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Education/Grammar School Residential Apartments 7. Description Architectural Classification (enter categories from instructions) Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Jacaobean Revival Materials (enter categories from instructions) foundation brick walls brick roof other asphalt. Slate stucco, wood Describe present and historic physical appearance.

The Thompson School, Webster, occupies a rectangular parcel of land on the east side of Prospect Street, three house lots north of its junction with Lake Street. The building stands near the center of its lot, which consists of a lawn west of the building and paved parking areas at all other elevations. The schoolhouse is a freestanding masonry structure with a I-shaped floor plan. The building rises two full stories above a raised basement to a slate-covered pitched roof that encloses the third story. All elevations are faced with red brick and trimmed with cast-stone water tables, cornices, and copings. Windows vary by location; basement windows contain 3/3 wood sash set in arched brick surrounds.

The majority of windows at the first and second stories are set in two-story groupings of four windows per story; windows within these groupings are separated between stories by stucco and wood panels designed to imitate half-timbering. Windows at the third story consist of groups of three (6/6) in each gable and paired windows (6/6) in dormers. The existing windows are a combination of original sash and sash installed during the recent rehabilitation to match originals. Rising from the center of the roof are four brick ventilator stacks designed to appear as brick chimneys. The facade (west elevation) is symmetrical about a gabled central pavilion. Flanking the pavilion are six basement windows, two groups of eight windows each at the first and second stories, and two gabled dormers at the attic.

The first story of the pavilion contains aluminum replacement doors set in an open vestibule that is set within a pointed arch. The entry is framed by buttressed piers that rise to a cornice, name placque, and false parapet. Above the entry is a tripartite window that rises to a pointed arch at the attic; sash at the second story are 6/6 while those of the attic are 9/3 and The north elevation is asymmetrically arranged and exists in two planes due to the different dimensions of the rear ell. The west end of the elevation possesses three basement windows, a grouping of four windows at both the first and second stories, and a gable with a tripartite window at the * See continuation sheet OMB Approvel No.

1024-0018 NPS Form 10-000-e (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Thompson School Webster, Massachusetts Section number. Page . Immediately east of this western plane, at the corner of the main building, is an entry surmounted by paired windows (6/6) with decorative half-timbered panels (at the mid-level landings of the stairhall). The entry conatins double doors, each leaf of which consists of a wooden lower panel beneath a glass pane. The doors are set beneath a four-pane transom and recessed within a pointed arch. The arch is set within a slightly projecting brick pavilion. The east end of the north elevation (rear el1) possesses three basement windows and groups of four windows at the first and second stories.

The south elevation is the mirror image of the north elevation with the exception of its east plane (rear ell), which is a blank brick wall with only a single basement window. The rear (east) elevation is symmetrical about the projecting gabled elevation of the rear ell. The east elevation of the ell possesses three windows at the basement, a grouping of four windows at the first and second stories, and a tripartite window in the gable. Flanking this gabled section (on the rear elevation of the main building) are two entries with shallow hoods and replacement aluminum doors and two windows at the basement, four windows (6/6 and 1/1) at the first story, four windows (6/6) at the second story, and two shed dormers at the attic.

The interior retains its original layout with a T-shaped hallway at the first story and long central hallways at the second and third stories (running north-south); apartment units open off of the hallways (one in each of the original classrooms). Many of the building's original finishes remain on the untte open offatet interior, including hallway doors, chair rails, and baseboard, and numerous window and door cases within the units. The building was recently rehabilitated as part of a certified rehabilitation in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Archaeological Description While no prehistoric sites are currently recorded on the property, it is possible that sites are present. One site has been recorded in the general area (within one mile).

This factor in addition to the location of the property on a relatively flat terrace overlooking the French River less than 1,000 feet away indicates favorable conditions for native settlement and subsistence activities. In general, however, the potential for prehistoric or historic sites is low as a result of the small size of the parcel, the effects of schoo1 construction (1912-1913) on the parcel, and because pre-schoo1 historic resorces are not known for the property. 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Thompson School, Wehster, Massachusetts Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: nationally statewide Mlocally Applicable National Register Criteria _B Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) LA Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Architectural Community Planning and Development LE F -G Period of Significance Significant Dates 1912 1912-1938 Cultural Affiliation NA Significant Person NA Architect/Builder Walter F, Fontaine State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. The Thompson School, Webster, possesses integrity of design, materials, workmanship, setting, and historical association with the development of Webster as an industrial center in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

A wel1-preserved example of late Gothic/Jacobean Revival architecture, the building is representative of the substantial public buildings that were constructed in Webster as an expression of civic pride during the town's period of industrial prosperity. The Thompson School thus meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places, with significance at the local level. The town of Webster was incorporated in 1832, joining land that was formerly part of Oxford and Dudley. In 1812, manufacturer Samuel Slater began purchasing land in Oxford and Dudley for the purpose of setting up a cotton factory; he began production in the area in 1913. Slater's acquisition of property around his new factory continued into the 1820s as his manufacturing interests grew.

In 1832, a petition was filed that provided for the incorporation of the town of Webster, which would be occupied by the 1,168 inhabitants. One of the first orders of business was the establishment of an appropriate public school system. At the first town meeting, a committee was appointed to divide the town into school districts; five districts were formed. The district system was used in Webster for over thirty years until it was abolished in 1867.- By 1889 Webster had a population of nearly 7,000 people; the town's 382 school-age children were served by one high school and 13 primary and grammar schools. It is interesting to note that although the population of Webster slowly increased through the end of the nineteenth and into the twentieth century, the number of public schools steadily decreased. xSee continuation sheet 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Thompsen School, Kebster, MA Massachusetts Historical Commission. Historical Survey for Webster. Withey, Henry- Biographical Dictionary of American Architects Deseased (1970) Hurd, Duane H. History of Worcester County, Massachusetts (1889) Webster City Directories. Previous documentation on file (NPS): Xpreliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested HPCA # 11018MA previously listed in the National Register previously determined eligible by the National Register designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # Jrecorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 10.

Geographical Data Acreage of property .5 acres UTM References A L1,9 1261800 Zone Easting C L1 14,615,92,0,0 Northing LILL See continuation sheet Primary location of additional data: State historic preservation office Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Specify repository: See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description The property boundary begins at a point on the east side of Prospect Street approximately 225 feet north of its intersection with Lake Street and runs east approximately 150 feet, then north approximately 125 feet, then west approximately 165 feet, then south approximately 140 feet. See continuation sheet Boundary Justification The boundary contains all land historically and presently associated with the school. See continuation sheet 11.

Form Prepared By nameliite_ Christine Su Beas, Storical Comisssultant, w/Betsy Venber 1838 organization National Register Massachusetts Historical Commission street & number 80 Boylston Street telephone_(617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state _ zip code_02116 NPS Form10-000 (8-08) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 8 1 OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Section number Page Thompson School Webster, Massachusetts It is unclear whether this can be attributed to a decline in school-age population or to the consolidation of existing schools. By 1902 there were nine schools operating in Webster, which at that time had a population of 8,804. At the time the Thompson School was built (1912), there were nearly 12,000 inhabitants of Webster and still only nine schools.

The Thompson School was built in 1912-1913 on the site of the former Prospect Street Schoo1 (built in 1881), which was razed to make room for the larger grammar school. The new schoo1 was constructed at a cost of $30,000 by contractors Walker & Doule Company of Providence, Rhode Island. The building was designed by Walter Francis Fontaine (1871-1938), a we11-known southern New England architect who had an office in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Fontaine studied architecture in Europe and began his career in the office of Providence architects Stone, Carpenter & Wilson. In 1903 Fontaine formed his own office, first in Providence and later in Woonsocket under the name W.F. Fontaine & Sons. He is known for his work as architect of numerous churches, schools, and public buildings, including St. Charles Borromeo Church in Providence, R.I.; St.

Joseph's College in Fitchburg, Mass.; in Woonsocket, R.I.; and St. Mary's Catholic Church at Willimantic, Conn. No records have been found to indicate that Fontaine designed any other schools in Webster. Other architects employed by the school committee include M.A. Dyer and E.I. Wilson. The Thompson Schoo1 was named for Dr. John Thompson, a Webster physician who was an active member of the school committee from 1907 until his death in 1916 and was also on the school's building committee. Thompson was born in Webster, the son of Irish immigrant parents. He was a resident and practicing physician in the community for many years. Known as a cigar puffing, independent man with a passion for horses, he was instrumental in the or horees, he was lngtrun construction of the Thompson Schoo1.

When the school was completed, the flagpole, which stands in front, was donated by Thompson and his sister Nellie. The Thompson School was erected for use as a grammar school and continued to be used as such until 1980 when the building was vacated. The school had a typical plan for its period and did not contain any large meeting spaces, such as an auditorium, gymnasium, or library. With the exception of its main entry doors, which have been replaced, the building's exterior remains in unaltered condition, preserving such continued NPS Form10-000-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Approvel No. 1024-0018 Section number - Page.

Thompson School Webster, Massachusetts charactistic elements of its period as its pointed arches, cast-stone trimmings, sham half-timbering, high dormered roof, and brick ventilator Additional significant details remain at the side entries, which retain original panelled double doors. The Thompson School is typical of the schools constructed in Webster in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century in its symmetrical design, revival style architecture, and use of brick as the primary buidling material. The Filmer School (1898) and Bartlett H1gh School (1905), both designed in the Neo-classical style, are similar we11-preserved examples of Webster schools. NORTH D. Thompson Schoo1 Webster, Massachusetts Sanborne Maps - 1928 Scale: 50' = 1" Thompson School ShownBy Crosshatchino 28 D D GRANITE CAONITE STREET 14GRAA - TL 2l2 APTS F A. 0.

4-STALLS R./9 GRANITE =-- F 2 52 12 22 7 PROS PECT ===== PE PIPE:== D APTS LAS 28 2-- 2 S.

PLUMBG APTS- 22 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY NAME: Thompson School MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Worcester DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 4/24/89 5/25/89 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 5/09/89 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 6/08/89 REFERENCE NUMBER: 89000436 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: OTHER: N PDIL: PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N | SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N N N COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN REJECT 6/2/84 DATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: Well presewed Sotlic Rurval School assoriated urith conmenuty s historical Qwelopmant dureng a period of industial Prospeity Paut I curtified: 4-18-84 part II cartified: 4-21-84 Part III ceutified: 11-30-88 RECOM.

/CRITERIA Occept A+C REVIEWER DISCIPLINEOredvesenal DATE Hston 6/7/89 DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y CLASSIFICATION count _resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION FUNCTION historic current DESCRIPTION architectural classification materials descriptive text 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 BIBLIOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHICAL DATA acreage UTMS verbal boundary description boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION sketch maps USGS maps _photographs OTHER COMMENTS Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone presentation Signed Date 900.

Thompson Schol Prospect Street WeDster, MA Phoographed bu: Chnistine s,Baurd ACT for Massachusets 45 Schol Sreot Boston, MA vlew: Lodung northwest at locade leastelevation) Photo: 12 2 RED Thampson School Prospct Stiet Webster MA Tnoogapled by Chistnes Brard ALT for Massachusets 45 Schcol Streat Boston ,MA nuw: Fadkn north at rear wing Phdo: 202 elevadiond * *COMMISSIONA * 1 Cormnonivealtih 1 kel) April 18, 1989 Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service APR 2 4 1989 NATIONAL REGISTER P.0. Box 37127 Washington, DC 20013-7127 Dear Ms.

Shull: Enclosed you will find the following nomination form: Leominster, Cluett Peabody & Company, 123 First Street Leominster, Whitney & Company, 142 Water Street Norfolk, Norfolk Grange Hall, 28 Rockwood Road Webster, Rock Castle School, Prospect Street, HPCA #11019MA Webster, Thompson School, Prospect Street, HPCA #11018MA All 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. Comments received to date are attached to the nomination form. Sincerely, Betay Frealuy Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission Enclosure: BF / 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