BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
FORH B"-' BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 80 BOYLS TON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 JAN 0 2 1990 AREA Newton, MA-MRA FORM NO. NC-040 Town Newton (Newton Centre) Address 1294 Centre Street Historic Name Newton Centre Branch Library Photo (3"x3" or 3"x5", black and white) Indicate address of property on back of photo. Staple to left side of form. Sketch Map: Draw map showing property's location in relation to nearest cross streets and/or geographical features. Indicate all buildings between inventoried property and nearest intersection(s). Indicate north Use: Present library Original same DESCRIPTION Date 1927 Source Building Dept. & Water records Style Tudor Reviva] Architect Ritchie, Parsons & Taylor Exterior Wall Fabric _brick Outbuildings none Major Alterations (with dates) none Condition good see attached map Moved no Acreage Setting Date n/a 16,160 sq.ft.
C.3TA west end of village commercial center; grouped with several other institutional buildings UTM REFERENCE 19/319130 14602-460 USES QUADRANGLE NEIVTON SCALE 1:25000 Recorded by Candace Jenkins/Susan Abele Organization Newton Historical Comm. Date 3/1987; rev. 3/1988 NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable) The Newton Centre Library possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials. workmanship, feeling and association. It is significant as one of five branch libraries built in the city by citizen subscription between 1926-1939 (see WN-J,1925; 4-03,1927; W-0101,1929; NV-G,1938). As such it reflects Newton's tremendous growth during that period and the continuing strength of its village system. It is also a good institutional example of the Tudor Revival style by the prolific local and regional architect, James Ritchie. It meets criteria A & C oi the NRHP.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community. The Newton Centre Branch Library was designed by the firm of Ritchie, Parsons &: Taylor in 1927. Itis a 1 1/2 story, L-plan brick structure enclosed be a slate gable root contained by raised end walls. The entry, with its Classical Revival style segmental arched stone surround, is located at the L and a large bank of windows with transom is located on the end wall facing the street. A triple window with arched heads is located on the wall east of the entry and a cross gable breaks up the wall to the west. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community.
The Newin Cectre Branch Library was one of five branch libraries to be built by citizen subscription between 1926 and 1939. Fundraising from the Newton Centre and Chestnut Hill community was begun in 1920. A permit was granted for construction in 1927 and the building was opened January 15,1928. The library was designed by the firm of Ritchie, Parsons and Taylor James Ritchie, a Newton Centre resident lived at 34 Hancock Avenue and later 10 The Ledges. He was the architect for a number of buildings in the city, including the Police Station and Court House, as well as severai public schools. Private commissions included the Union Church in Waban, and the Charles River andWoodland Golf Clubs.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Building Records 1294 Centre Street Newton Graphie 3/12/26, 1/15/28 8/85 (ePS Fo 108000 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page - CMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Newton MRA Middlesex County, MA Nomination/Type of Review 151. Luke, Arthur F., Housetered + .. National Begister ADDITIONAL DACUMENTATION 152. Newton Catholic High School dubatant ive Reviow TO: UUR LADYPPELP OE CHRISTIANSH,D. 153. Newton Centre Branch Library Bubstantive Reviau Date/Signature jukcoperAlelveBque 2/1640 Attest__ fer Keeper BettX Savze 02-16-90 Attest/ fov Keeper Betay Sauge 02-16-9 Attest * 154. Newton City Hall and War Memorial Bubstantive Revinu Sorkooper BithL. Saurge 02-1-90 Attest 155.
Noves, Charles W., House Entered in the fisaeper Helersyun sefio National Registes Attest 156. Pierce, F. Lincoln, Housedorad 1n tha Hationew Hogiater Gkeeper Alelispyun 3/4150 Attest 157. Plummer Memorial Library cntered in tne Kxeoper aeleuapyen 3/10/40 National Register 158. Riverside Concrete Company--Lamont's Market Entered 1n tbe Hatiorad Begiates 159. Sawyer, C. A., House (Second) Entered in the National Begiater 1-Keeper SelorRAsan 2/10/40 Attest Hteeper ahlmußyun 3/16/90 Attest 160.
Schraft, George F., House sbutesratva 80920 Keeper Attest_ UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Newton Centre Branch Library NAME: MULTIPLE Newton MRA NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex DATE RECEIVED: 1/02/90 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 2/02/90 DATE OF PENDING LIST: DATE OF 45TH DAY: 1/19/90 2/16/90 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 90000024 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: IPPEAL:1 - OTHER: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: N PERIOD: N N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N N COMMENT WAIVER: N LACCEPT _RETURN REJECT ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: 2/16/9 0a7e Ohe of 5 branch libraries built by subscription betwem D26 and 1939.
atectural Htistory DOCUMENTATION see attached comments YOsee attached SIR YN CLASSIFICAIION 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 OTHER COMMENTS Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone _presentation signed Date NawtmCentre Branch Library Newton, MA-MRA 1294 Centre St.
Necotm, MA c.gentins neg. a gackson Homesleced mew -ssE NC -O40 87/5-16 824 STREET 19932 1052 2 1! 1860 3906 2 4416 +62 962 838. 26 STREET 23940 2224 GREEN 25723 2330 CENTER SECTION BLOCK 6 3 70003 650 1740 1368 LANGLEX SECTION-61 BLOCK 34 15900 T051 6 453-13 STREET RIGHT ° ... 8900 ° 027 7 80-1 SECT/ON BLOCK 21379 1987 61 33 12 2909 Tissi 1165'721 CYPRE 'ON STREET 27800° 1383 :0056- A 27560 :960 SECTION 35 16160 10300 951 HERRICK 22900 11630 I08I 23300, 2:65 SECTION 61 BLOCK 35 60 M. B: T A. CITY QF NEWTON MASSACHUSETTS RIGHT STREET 19452 357 1099d 1163 ROAD 10610 687 18586 SECTON BLOCK 36 CITYDE 813s? 1.1.°; 345 10135322 STREET UNION, 2012 ! 'A. "060'** SECTION G18 BLOCK S6 AVE M.B. A. BRÁELAND .xt ^ Newton, MA-MRA 1294 Centre Street SBL: 61-35-3 Assessors Map - Verified 1985 Page: 90 SW Scale: 1"=40' Reduced 50%