Nomination for Norfolk Grange Hall

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

438 NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 8-86) 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 Norfolk Grange Hall other names/site number The First Baptist Church 2. Location street & number city, town state MA 28 Rockwood Road Norfolk code 025 aAnot for publication a/yicinity county Norfolk code zip code 02056 3. Classification Ownership of Property X private public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property Xbuilding(s) district site Structure object Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing buildings sites structures objects 1 0 Total Name of related multiple property listing: Number of contributing resources previously n/a listed in the National Register - 4.

State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, 1 hereby certify that this X nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the NationalRegister ofHistoricPlaces and meetstheprocedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property X meets does not meet the National Register criteria. see continuation sheet. Executive Director, Massachusetts Historical Conmission 30K4 Signáture of certifying officiat Vdluu A TalWState Historic Preservation Officer 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 hereby, certify that this property is: entered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register.See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. AeloueByu Estered:In tha: Natiopai nogistesr 5/25/89 removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) fozbenaluro o tho kopor Date of Action Norfolk Grange Hall, Norfolk, Massachusetts 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Religion - religious structure - church Social - Grange Hall Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Social - meeting hall - Grange Hall 7.

Description Architectural Classification (enter categories from instructions) Federal, Italianate Materials (enter categories from instructions) foundationBrick walls _ Wood roof- other Asphalt Describe present and historic physical appearance. The Norfolk Grange Hall, built in 1863 as the First Baptist Church of North Wrentham, is a vernacular wood frame building located about one quarter mile north of the center of Norfolk on the east side of Rockwood Road. The hall is set back forty feet from the street behind two spruce trees and a circular driveway. The half-acre wooded lot is in a residential area with single- and two-family houses nearby. Access to town-owned undeveloped land is on the east side of the building, a 19th century house is on the south side, and a single family house is across the street.

The Grange Hall has retained its original gable-ended rectangular plan with tower on the west facade breaking slightly forward from the plane of the elevation. Sheathed in clapboard, its unaltered design includes a combination of Federal and Italianate features. Behind the main block of the building, a smaller section added later in the 19th century houses the kitchen. A third section, an even smaller addition, was attached to the north side of the addition in the early 20th century. Rising from a granite and brick foundation, the one-story building has a dirt cellar under the front half of the building and a crawl space under the rear half. The ridge roof is covered with asphalt shingles as is the eight-sided curved roof above the belfry. interior chimney breaks the roofline at the peak near the rear of the building.

The church displays beautiful detailing in its quoining at the four corners of the building and along the forward section of the tower. The tower, breaking throughthe pediment, is decorated at the cornice with modillions, has a round topped-headed at the second floor level and paired lancet windows within the belfry. Modillions encircle the building at the cornice, under the pediment, and across the facade. The classical form of the building, with the tower on the pedimented facade, is typically Federal in design while the belfry and the windows are Italianate. The deep cornice, lintel, and window surrounds of the north and south elevations are also Italianate features. The line of windows, the lintels, quoining, and cornice make this church a building that is rich in detail and decoration.

The symmetrical west facade has two entrances flanking a center window on the scond lever, tie petiene nasr i entenet, noumne feated. double-hung window; the third-floor belfry has a larger round-headed window with two unglazed lancet windows with louvers inside. This window opening is repeated on the four sides of the belfry. XX See continuation sheet NPS Form 10-900-s (8-86) Unlted States Department of the Interlor National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ Page - Approvel No. 1024-0010 Norfolk Grange Hall, Norfolk, Massachusetts The longitudinal sides of the building, north and south elevations, are nearly 1 dentical. Each has three large double-hung windows with 12/12 sashes, generous lintels, and Italianate frames. The south elevation has a door with undecorated hood in the northeast corner.

The rear elevation of the main building (east) has the kitchen addition and a lunette window in the gable. The visible foundation under the addition is rubblestone as opposed to brick under the main block. The addition is more simply finished with chamfered cornerboards instead of quoining, and a simple cornice. There is a door on the southern side, two double-hung 6/6 windows facing east, and a very small addition with two windows on the north elevations. These two sections of the building house the kitchen and bathrooms. The interior plan of the Grange Hall is unchanged from its design as a country church. The forward section of the building, under the tower, contains the stage, with vestibules on either side. The main hall is 40 x 38 feet with a ceiling height of 18 feet. It is trimmed with vertical wainscot boards; simple mitered architraves frame the six windows.

The coved plaster ceiling has a simple cornice molding and additional moldings near the center. The stage proscenium arch and the two vestibule doors are on the west wall. The east wall repeats the same pattern, having two doors to the kitchen and a blind arch and pilasters in the center. The kitchen is a utilitarian space that has plaster walls, a high ceiling, and simple door and window surrounds that date from the 1920s. Other improvements of the 1920s include the addition of electricity and toilet facilities. Two bathrooms are in the northeast corner of the building. The second floor of the tower is an unfinished attic space from which the roof framing and ceiling rafters are visible. Al though there probably was a bell in the third story of the tower, there is no record of its existence or removal. The space is closed only by louvered shutters.

Alterations to the building have been minimal. In 1882, after a decline of thirteen years, there was a renewal of interest in the parish. According to church records, many improvements were made about the premises at that time. These improvements were probably painting and perhaps the construction of the addition. Electricity, the bathrooms, and the kitchen were added in 1922. NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ 7 - Page _ 2 Approvel No. 1024-0018 Norfolk Grange Hall, Norfolk, Massachusetts Archaeological Description No prehistoric sites are currently recorded on the property or in the general area (within one mile).

The parcel lacks favorable conditions for prehistoric Furthermore, no historic land use can be documented prior to the parcels purchased by the Baptist Church in the mid 19th century. In general, the potential for significant archaeological remains either prehistoric or historic seems low because of the above factors and because the Grange Hall, much of which has a basement, covers most of the property. Norfolk Grange Hall, Norfolk, Massachusetts Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties: nationally statewide x locally Applicable National Register Criteria Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Social, Architecture JE Period of Significance 1863-1939 Significant Dates 1863 1922 Cultural Affiliation N/A Significant Person N/A Architect/Builder (unknowa) State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. The Norfolk Grange Hall, originally the Baptist Church of North Wrentham, has FCEEES construction in 1863. It is representative of the religious and social life of the community in the 19th and 20th centuries, thus reflecting the broad patterns of Norfolk history.

As a well preserved rural vernacular church in a prominent location near the center of Norfolk, it is one of the most important historic buildings in the town. The Grange Hall possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places on the local level. The building was constructed by the North Wrentham Baptist Society under the direction of Pastor Daniel Round in 1863. It served as a church for 54 years until the diminishing Baptist congregation sold the building to the Norfolk Grange in 1921. The Norfolk Grange organization, with very little alteration to the building, has used the hali for their meeting place and for social events until the present time. Under the ownership of the Grange, the hall has been used by the schools, churches, scouts, and town government.

Because it has very few members today, however, the Grange is considering a plan to donate the building to the town. The Grange will continue to use the hall but the town will maintain it and open it to other groups. Norfolk's early Baptists (1800 to 1842) attended the neighboring Medfield Baptist Church. Although there was a Baptist Church in West Wrentham (Norfolk was called North Wrentham until its incorporation in 1870), that building was a distance of nine miles compared to the two to three miles to the Medfield Church. During the period from 1842 to 1864, the newly formed church parish conducted its religious services in the old parish house that had been vacated by the Congregationalists in favor of a new church building. The first official and longest-serving minister during that time was the Rev. E. G. Sears.

In 1861, at a time when the old parish house was in need of many repairs, and when the membership had reached one of its highest levels, fifty-five followers, the small congregation decided to build a new church, the nominated property, under the direction of then - pastor Rev. Daniel xSee continuation sheet Norfolk Grange Hall, Norfolk, Massachusetts 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References 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 NationalRegister designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey# recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 10. Geographical Data Acreage of property 1/2 acre UTM References A L9] 30.2160 Zone Easting CLL LLL 4665760 Northing x See continuation sheet Primary location of additional data: State historic preservation office Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Specify repository: Zone Easting Northing See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description [X See continuation sheet Boundary Justification [X See continuation sheet 11. Form Prepared By name/title Mary Elizabeth Pyne, Pres.

Consultant w/ Betsy Friedberg, Nat- Reg. Director, MHC organization _Massachusetts Historical Commission date February, 1989 street & number 80 Boylston St., Suite 310 .telephone (617) 727-8470 _ state MA _ zip code 02116 NPS 1-88 10-.000-0 Unlted States Department of the Interlor National Park Service Natlonal Register of Historlc Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ 8 Norfolk Grange Hall, Norfolk, Massachusetts Page _ 1 Rounds. Sited only a few hundred yards from the center of Norfolk, the new church was more accessible than the old church, located high on Town Hill. It was also smaller in size. The church served a congregation that gradually declined in membership, and then gained again from 1882 until the early 20th century. The revival was due in part to the return of the former pastor Rev. Rounds, who served from 1882 until his death in 1898.

In the early 20th century, the Baptist congregation was small but active. They held summer tent meetings in the field across the street to attract new converts. By 1918, however, the membership, then fewer than twenty people, decided to sell the building and merge with the Congregationalists. joined with the Union Congregational Church and formed the Norfolk Federated Church. The Massachusetts Baptist Conference sold the church to the Norfolk Grange in 1921. The Norfolk Grange was formed in 1886, six years after the incorporation of Norfolk. The Grange served an important function in Norfolk, a small rural community where the majority of citizens made their living on farms. The Grange provided classes for the farmers on cultivation, soil conservation, and the breeding and care of livestock. It also gave the farmer a forum to compare ideas and a voice to speak out politically.

Equally important to its members, the Grange was a place for social gathering, where families came together and tempered the isolation of rural life. The organization of the Norfolk Grange was largely an effort of the State Grange, which had been organized in 1873. In 1922 the Norfolk Town Hall burned and was not replaced. The Town Hall was housed in the same building in which the Baptists and first Grangers had met on Town Hill, so the loss of the building was felt by everyone. Activities that ordinarily would have taken place in the Town Hall were conducted at the Grange Hall between 1922 to 1949. The Grange Hall was the town meeting room, the votingorfoik, and the location for school graduations, school plays, and s small Roman Catholic congregation held services in the building from the summer of 1947 until 1950.

The Norfolk Library, directed by Mary McLure, was housed in this building in the room in the rear from 1922 to 1956. The variety of town activities that took place here under the sign "Grange Hall" is an indication of the importance of the Grange in a small Massachusetts town and a reminder of Norfolk's agricultural heritage. Architecturally, the Grange Hall is significant as one of the last 19th century public buildings left near the center of town. Only the Federated Church (1832) is older. The Town Hall, a Stick Style building on the Town Approvel Ne. 1084-0010 NDA Rorm 10-800-d United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 Norfolk Grange Hall, Norfolk, Massachusetts Page _ 2 Hill was razed by fire as mentioned above.

The Cornelius Murphy House, another important landmark in the center, was razed in favor of a gas station in the 1950s. The 18th century Josiah Ware Tavern, destroyed in 1981, was also located in the center. Norfolk's original post office was in a small Victorian Folk vernacular building; it still stands next to the railroad tracks on Rockwood Road. Although there are 18th and 19th century private homes located near the center, few historic public buildings survive in town. The Grange Hall is an example of a rural vernacular, wood frame church with all of its features virtually unaltered. This excellent state of preservation adds to the property's significance. It is a well integrated whole whose conservative design and modest decoration reflect the tastes and needs of a smal1 mid-19th century Baptist Congregation.

No attributed architect or builder's name can be found in Church history or in town records. The pastor in 1863, Reverend Daniel Rounds, is credited with directing the building of the church. The Grange Hall has made a significant contribution to Norfolk's social history as an early church and as a gathering place for local citizens and Grange members. With only one or two farms remaining in Norfolk, the Grange is a reminder of the town's agricultural beginning and social development. The well-executed design of the building, and its existence as one of two historic public buildings remaining near the center of Norfolk, make it a valuable and significant public building. Approvel No. 1084-0010 10-000-1 Unlted States Department of the Interlor National Park Service Natlonal Register of Historlc Places Continuatlon Sheet Section number - 9 Page - Approvel No.

1084-0018 Norfolk Grange Hall, Norfolk, Massachusetts 9. Major Bibliographic References Curran, Isabel M. "Massachusetts State Grange" - 1988, unpublished. Dineen J. Michael. "The Establishment of St. Jude's Roman Catholic Church" 1967, unpublished. Eaton, Rev. W. H. Historical Sketch of the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society and Convention 1802, 1902. Boston, 1902, Massachusetts Baptist Convention. Association. ThirteenthAnniversary of the Framingham Baptist Association. History of the Norfolk Church. Milford, MA, 1885, G. M. Billings Printer Gazette Office. Interview with H. Olive Day, 02/10/88, Pamona Grange member, Norfolk Grange Member, Principal Freeman Elementary School, 1940 to 1988. Registry of Deeds, Norfolk County.

NPS 10-900-e (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ 10 Page 1 Approvel No. 1024-0018 Norfolk Grange Hall, Norfolk, Massachusetts Verval Boundary Description The nominated property is a parcel of land containing 19,500 sq. ft. with the Grange Hall Building located in Norfolk, Massachusetts on the East side of Rockwood Road (Route #115), at #28, identified as map #8, block #37, lot #3 in the Norfolk Assessors Records. The deed is recorded in the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds book 1573, page 607. Boundary Justification The nominated property is the same parcel purchased by the First Baptist Church and Society from Stephen and Fanny Campbell in 1860. the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds in Dedham, Massachusetts, Book 321, page 35 -1-993705-30-4-10:10 86

-;- -EROW ALGONQUIN GAS TRANSMISSIOM CO. S.OW 108 114 115 28 113 3 AC 106 126 112 117 105 125 123 104 DRIVE 118 103 110 STANHOPE 122 124 109 121 16 ./"15 R.O.W. TOWN 3OY SCCITS! OF 139 94 20A0 220'(S) 10 86 : AC. 22O1S) 114 ç0° 20 ac 2.9 AC. (S, 5 oLAe. 72 119 :120 AMERICA 131 130 83 82 115 0560° 77 83 AC 116 6.2AC. 5 4 132 133 BIGELOW LANE JUNIPER 136 81 Courtai 138 95 4 AC 143 137 37.8 AC 144 157 158 156 18 155 16( 154 161 153 Norfolk Assessors Map Norfolk Grange Hall 28 Rockwood Road Norfolk, MA 02056 Map #8, Block #37, Lot #3 Date Jan Scale 1987 1:2400 12 acres 148 73 25 152 109 : 24 149 74 -2.040 151 23 3:AC 150 75 22 74 1.6 AC 134 20 ° 56 135 '77 .° 00 19 18 AC 17 0 80 6 79 745'(51 Onari 5'R.O.W: 113 11AC 19 8 AC 53 42 10.6 AC 57 94 STREET 52 43 NORFOLK.

MASSACHUSETTS 10 9 8 16 14 23 22 21 (PS Fomm 10.800a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page Approvel No. 1024 SUPPLEMENTARY RECORD NRIS Reference Number: Norfolk Grange Hall Property Name N/A Multiple Name 89000438 Date Listed: 05/25/89 Norfolk County - MA state This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places in accordance with the attached nomination documentation subject to the following exceptions, exclusions, or amendments, notwithstanding the National Park Service certification included in the nomination documentation.

foafo Jauge Keeper y oe 08/20/90 Amended Items in Nomination: Section 8: Criteria considerations Criteria exception A is applicable because this property was owned by a religious organization and used for religious purposes during the majority of its period of significance. This information was confirmed with Betsy Friedberg, National Register Director, MASHPO, by telephone.

DISTRIBUTION: National Register property file Nominating Authority (without nomination attachment) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Norfolk Grange Hall NAME: MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Norfolk DATE RECEIVED: 4/24/89 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 5/25/89 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 5/09/89 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 6/08/89 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 89000438 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: COMMENT WAIVER: N VACEPT RETURN ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: 5/25/69 07e Entered in the National Register RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N 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 verbal boundary description UTMS _boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION sketch maps USGS maps photographs presentation OTHER COMMENTS Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone Signed Date Norfolk Grange Hall 28 RockWood Rd Norfolk MA C MARY ELIZABETH PYNE June 19881 hegative at Phot 187 Seckonk ST Norfolk, MA 02056 Wet facade Roll2, #17 NORFOLK Grange HaLL 28 RockwooD Rd Norfolk, MA MARY ELIZABETH PYNE JUNE 1988 negative at 187 Seekonk ST Norfolk.

MA 02056 south elevation Roll+1, frame 6 Rollz #1t Norfolk GRANGE HALL 28 ROCKNODD RD NORFOLK MASS- MARY ELIZABETH PYNE June 1988 negative at 187 Seckonk ST Norfolk, MA North elevation April 18, 1989 * COMMISSION* * Comnon latih ( Kerl) Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service APR 24 19 NATIONAL REGISTER P.O. 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 #1101 8MA 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, Setay redbergr Director Fuealey 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