Nomination for West Schoolhouse

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form10-900 (Rev. 8-86) 144 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form WAN 1 6 1990 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 West Schoolhouse other names/site number 2.

Location street & number Shawsheen Avenue (opposite Aldrich Road) city, town Wilmington state Massachusetts code MA county Middlesex code N/A]not for publication N/AJ vicinity 017 zip code 01887 3.

Classification Ownership of Property private X public-local public-State public-Federal Category of Property X building(s) district site structure object Name of related multiple property listing: N/A Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing 1 0 buildings sites structures objects - 0 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register _ 0 State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the NationalHistoric 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 NationalRegisterof Historic Places andmeets the proceduraland professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. in my opinion, the propertyX meets Jdoes not meet the National Register criteria. L See continuation sheet.

demaoe an. 2 Signature of certitying official Executive Director, Massachusetts Historic Commisefon State 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. NationalPark Service Certification 1, hereby, certify that this property is: Xentered in the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register. See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register. Entered in the National Register DeloByen 2/21/90 removed from the National Register. other, (explain:) fossonivro o o Kopor Date of Action 6.

Function or Use Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Education / School West Schoolhouse, Wilmington, MA Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) Vacant / Not in use 7. Description Architectural Classification (enter categories from instructions) Late Victorian No Style Materials (enter categories from instructions) foundation_Brick Concrete walls Weatherboard roof Asphalt other Describe present and historic physical appearance. West Schoolhouse, Wilmington, Massachusetts, stands on the north side of Shawsheen Avenue, opposite Aldrich Road, set back approximately 10 teet trom the street near the center of its lot (70 feet x 124 feet).

Located on a busy - street in an area of 20th century residences, the school is shielded from a large modern subdivision by a strip of woods along the northern boundary of the grassy lot, which drops off steeply to the north and west. A small, paved parking area exists to the east of the building. The building is a one-story, gable-roofed wood-frame building standing with its gable end to the street; a lower one-story ell extends to the rear. Set on a brick foundation, the schoolhouse is sheathed in clapboards. A11 windows are currently boarded over, but a 1977 photograph (survey form #30) shows 4/4 sash and original 2/2 sash does exist; windows and entries have moulded cases. Other features include projecting eaves and cornice returns, a broad frieze and cornerboards with rope molding at each of the main building's four corners; plain cornerboards exist at the ell.

The ell stands on a concrete block foundation and projects from the center of the main building's north elevation. It possesses a double-pitched hip roof, and is probably original to the school and certainly existed by 1894. The facade (south elevation) is symmetrical, consisting of two entries at the first story and a single small attic window centered above. The entries are set in surrounds with transoms (blocked) and now contain modern six-panel steel doors. Deteriorated concrete steps with modern iron railings rise to each entry. A sign reading "West School" is centered between and slightly above the two entries. The east and west elevations of the main block are identical, each containing three evenly spaced windows. The ell's east elevation possesses three small windows rising to the eaves.

The rear elevation of the main building possesses no openings, with the ell projecting from its center, while the rear elevation of the ell is obscured by overgrown plants. The west elevation is set on a slope with the grade dropping off sharply at the rear. The west elevation of the ell possess two window openings (northernmost bays) identical to those at the east, and an entry containing a X See continuation sheet NPS Form 10-000 (6-00) OMB Apprevel No. 1084-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet West Schoolhouse Wilmington, MA Section number - - Page - damaged five-panel door (southernmost bay). Fire damage from a 1987 blaze exists at the area surrounding this entry.

The original floor plan appears to remain intact, and consists of two entry vestibules occupying the building's south end, a single classroom occupying the remainder of the main building, and two small rooms (east and west) at the ell. Most original finishes appear to have been removed when plywood paneling was added and later removed. A11 window and door cases and chair rails are gone- Remaining original finishes consist of five-foot-high beaded board dados in the two entry vestibules, a beaded board wainscot (with chair rail removed) at the main classroom, and 2/2 sash. (continued) MP8 Form 10-000 (6-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Apprevel No. 1084-0010 West Schoolhouse Wilmington, MA Section number .

Page - Archaeological Description While no prehistoric sites are currently recorded on the property, it is possible that sites are present. One known site is reported in close proximity (within one mile) to the property. The area also exhibits favorable locational criteria (minimal slope, good drainge, close proximity to wetlands) for prehistoric sites. In general, however, the potential for significant archaeological remains, either prehistoric or historic, is low because of sma11 lot size (less than 1/4 acre) and the impacts of school construction on the lot. (end) West Schoolhouse, Wilmington, MA 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 XA B Criteria Considerations (Exceptions) A B L Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions) Architecture Education Community Planningand Development D C D IE LL G Period of Significance 1875-1938 Significant Dates 1875 Cultural Affiliation N/A Significant Person Architect/Builder N/A N/A State significance of property, and justify criteria, criteria considerations, and areas and periods of significance noted above. The West Schoolhouse, Wilmington, Massachusetts, retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, feeling, workmanship, and association, and meets Criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places at the Local level.

The school was constructed in 1875, and is significant as one of Wilmington's earliest surviving schoolhouses. One of three survivors of the town's 19th century "district" school system along with the Old Centre and South Schoolhouses, the West Schoolhouse is a well-preserved example of the smal1 frame structures that served Wilmington's five school districts. Architecturally, the building is a simple example of a familiar building type, namely a small rural frame schoolhouse of the late 19th century. Characteristic features include its gabled facade with two entries, plain frieze, and cornice returns. The town of Wilmington was incorporated in 1730, having originally been part of Woburn and Reading land grants of the mid-17th century. Located on the Boston-Merrimac corridor, Wilmington was primarily an agricultural community throughout the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.

The population grew very slowly from the mid-18th century to the early 20th (673 in 1765 to 1,596 by 1900). According to the Wilmington Historic Resources Survey (MHC Form #73): "At its first town meeting in 1730, when Wilmington was formed from parts of several neighboring towns, the inhabitants met in a schoolhouse, presumably the Town's first public building". Records of the building's location and use are, at best, vague. It (or a successor) apparently served to the Town's satisfaction until the 1790s, when it was decided that the Town should be divided into four "squadrons," each of which would be assessed separately for the cost of schooling in its district. In 1795, the Town also voted to assess each squadron for the construction of a schoolhouse within its bounds.

Finally, in Feburary 1799, $1,200 was voted to "pay for two School Houses...the money to be equally divided in the four quarters of the town." [XSee continuation sheet 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Massachusetts Historical Commission. Reconnaissance Survey Report: Wilmington. Unpublished, 1981. Pfeiffer, Brian R. wilminton Historic Resources Survey, 1977. Wilmington. Town Annual Reports, 1853-1938.

Previous documentation on file (NPS): Jpreliminary 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 Under 1 acre UTM References A L1,9 Zone 320180 Easting CLL 4713640 Northing See continuation sheet Primary location of additional data: [X State historic preservation office Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Specify repository: Massachusetts Historical Commission Zone Easting Northing D See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description West Schoolhouse is located on the north side of Shawsheen Avenue.

A modern residential subdivision bounds the property to the north; a grassy slope to the north and west, and a paved, vacant lot to the east. See continuation sheet Boundary Justification The boundaries conform to the known historic boundaries of the property. See continuation sheet 11. Form Prepared By Betsy Friedberg, NR Director with name/title Kim Withers Brengle, Principal, Northfields Preservation Associates organizatiesachusetts - Historical Commission date 12/28/88 street & number 80 Boylston Street telephone (617) 727-8470- city or town_ _Boston state MA zip code 02116 NPS Form 10-000- (6-06) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet West Schoolhouse Wilmington, MA OMB Aspreval No.

1084-0010 Section number_ 8 Page _1 By 1799, the West Schoolhouse had been erected on a site opposite that of the building, on the south side of Shawsheen Avenue at the west corner of Aldrich Road. Mapsof Wilmington (1856, 1875, 1889) show the school on that site; however, it is likely that the 1889 map is in error and that the present structure has always stood on its site on the north side of Shawsheen Avenue. The Superintending School Committee reported as early as 1853 that the condition of the schoolhouse was not adequate, and in need of improvement. This was a continuing complaint for the next two decades. A decline from twenty-six students in 1863 to only six in 1868 led to the closing of the schoo1 that year amid complaints that it was a "poor and unhealthy, as well as unsightly" building.

Establishing a pattern of repeatedly closings and reopenings, which was to continue with the later building through the 1930s, the West Schoolhouse was soon repaired and reopened. On August 16, 1875, the town paid E. B. Carter $25 for 1/4 acre of land at the present building's site and $1,483 for lumber and labor to construct a new West Schoolhouse. The old school building was sold for $40. The building's sloping site, close to a cranberry bog, seems to have caused ongoing structural problems. In 1893-1894, the rear ell required new underpinning because "the building is being wrenched and twisted by the giving way of this same underpinning in the rear," and in 1900 the school was re-graded. The problem is evident now in the modern, cinderblock foundation found at the rear ell.

Another significant theme began to appear annually in the reports of the school committee by the late 1860s: the concept of abolishing the district school system for a centralized system. In 1867-1868, the committee complained that the West Schoolhouse was small "...and it is a pity that it could not be incorporated with some other portion of the town. By this means, school houses might give way to one new, larger and more suitable edifice." Discussion in the reports of the school committee and the superintendent of schools on the subject recur throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, seemingly with no support from the community. Their arguments against the district system and in favor of a major school building program took on an increasingly frustrated tone as the years passed.

The 1919 annual report explains a decision to close the West School in order to move away from the "antiquated district schools." By this time, the East and North Schools had already been closed, with only the South School remaining in use. In 1921, and in several subsequent years, the town considered the disposal of these three buildings, but action was deferred. A combination of crowding and ultimately the Depression led to the reopening in 1926 and 1927 and continued use of the West and North schoolhouses. (continued) NPS Form 10-000-1 (8-06) OMB Approvel No. 1084-0010 United States Department of the Interlor NationalPark Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet West Schoolhouse Wilmington, MA Section number.

Page - - The West Schoolhouse housed students in grades 1 through 4 when it was reopened and, by 1938, was being used for thirty-eight students in grades 1 and 2. It remained in use as a school through the 1940s, and has been used subsequently by, at various times, the State Police, as the audio-visual department for the high school, and currently for storage. The building is notable as a well-preserved example of a rural, frame schoolhouse of the late 19th century. Its two front entries with transoms on the gabled facade are characteristic, as are the cornice returns and broad frieze. The most notable architectural detail is decorative rope molding found at all cornerboards. Wilmington's two other surviving district schools are the O1d Centre Schoolhouse and the South Schoolhouse. The former is similar in form but possesses a single, central entry.

It was built prior to 1839, is in a good state of preservation, and is located in an area (Centre Village) recommended as a potential National Register District. The South Schoolhouse (ca. 1884-1903) has suffered greater alteration with the removal of one front entry. (end) r bond ONTIBER West Schoolhouse Shawsheen Ave. opposute Alanch Rd. Wilmungton, MA N 335' 231 237° 17 100 131 _ALDRICH ROAD 150 3 B 260.06 1.13 78.42 150 09 D 252.00 4-C 26,897 03 00 17.00 117.00 ROAD 104' 232' 180 154'% SHAWSHEEN AVENUE 255 290 166- 2901 + 8 D. Natirat Register Application West Schoolhouse Shawsheen Are. opposute Aldrich Rd Wilmington, MA .

Assessoris+ Map *33 Scale /"= 1001 N 163.15 127.80 132.00 N N 5P 1821) 1ol 43,729 S.F 102 30,682 112.81 34.26 30-00 87 112 1H.1 022 132.07 -5.65 40.61 St 111 6,20, 50 1O50AC 104.40 2 UNITED STATES DEPARIMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY West Schoolhouse NAME: MULTIPLE NAME : STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 1/16/90 2/17/90 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 2/01/90 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 3/02/90 REFERENCE NUMBER: 90000144 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N N N COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN REJECT 2/21/70 DATE Entered in the National Registen ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: 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 UTMS verbal boundary description boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION sketch maps _USGS maps photographs presentation OTHER COMMENTS Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone Signed Date WEST SCHOOL West Schoolhouse Shawsheen Ave.

opposite Aldrich Rd. Wilming ton, MA Photographer: Kin Withers Brengle September, 1988 Negatire on file at: Northfieds Preseration Associates 10 Barr St. Salem, MA 01970 Photo# 1 gf 4 View of facade (south) and westelevation facing NE. WEST SCHOOL west Schoolhouse Shawsheen Arl. opposute Aldnch Rd. Wilmungton. MA Photographer: Kim withers Brengle September 1988 Negatem file at: Northfields Preservation Associates 10 Barr ST. sacem, MA 01970 Photo #2 0f 4 View of facade and east elevation facing NW. west Schoolhose Shawsheen Are. apposite Aldrich Rd. Nilmungion, MA Photographer: Kim Withers Brengh September 1988 Negative on file at: Northfields Presevation Associates 10 Barr St. Salem, MA 01970 Photo + 3 %4 vieu of rear ell, east elevation facing west. west Schoolhovse Shawsheen Are. opposüte Aldrich Rd.

wilmugton, MA Photographer: Kim Withers Brengle september 1988 Negatie an file ut: Northreld, Preservation Associates 10 Barr St. Salem, MA 01970 Photo *4 g 4 rew of rear ell, west elevation facing east Sag3t50 H32(413) AUG 2 8 1990 Mr. James C. Stewart Chairman Board of Selectmen 121 Glen Road Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887 Dear Mr. Stewart: Congratulations to the Town of Wilmington on the listing of the West Schoolhouse in the National Register of Historic Places on February 21, 1990. Constructed in 1875, the schoolhouse is recognized for its local architectural and historic significance as one of Wilmington's earliest surviving rural schoolhouses associated with the town's 19th-century district school system. We hope that the property's listing in the National Register will encourage its continued preservation as an important part of Wilmington's history. Sincerely, Carol D.

Shull (Ced.) Carol D. Shull Chief of Registration National Register of Historic Places Interagency Resources Division JAN 1 6 1990 *COMMISSIOTA ISVB LIBER * 1 Cornmon Waltlh 1o ke) January 8, 1990 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 please find the following nomination: West Schoolhouse (opposite Aldrich Road), Wilmington (Middlesex County), Massachusetts, 01887. The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has 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 Sincerely Ame ait Anne E.

Tait Acting National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission Enclosure: Massachusetts Historical Commission, Valerie A. Talmage, Executive Director, State Historic Preservation OJJicer 80 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (617) 727-8470 Office of the Secretary of State, Michael J. Connolly, Secretary - CC: Ms. Elsa Gilbertson Acting Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Commission 80 Boylston Street, Suite 310 Boston, Massachusetts 02116 bcc: 413-RF BASIC FILE RETAINED IN 413 FNP:B.Savage:bls:343-9536 Correspondence Disk:WP50\school