BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
CAM B - BUILDING 1990 FIRST FERIOD SURVEY JAN 2 1 1900 - 203 FORM NO. MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 8O BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA C2116 - 79 Town Danvers 009 30-36A main view Address 273 Maple St. 0-36 Summer tie beam, left hand room Historic Name Prince Osborne House 0-26 staircase detail, first f1o0r 0-22 staircase, first floor.- Use: Present_Resident1al Original Residential DESCRIPTION 0-21 right-hand room, rear wall Date ca. 1700, 1715 0-23 left hand room Scurce Stylistic Analysis 0-32 detail, panelling, rear wall, righthand room Style _ First Period 0-30 transverse summer beam and post of front wallArchitect Sketch Map: right hand room Unknown Exterior Kall Fabric Clapboards Outbuildings None - Major Alterations (with dates) E11 removed. BERRU leantos added, early 20th c.
Condition Good GORMIAi ROAD Moved Yes Date 1915 Acreage less than one acre Setting Suburban residential street of widely spaced houses of mixed date. UTM PEFERENCE USGS QUADRANGLE SCALE 3306800 VINEVARO E 19 / 339-610 / 4715-120 Salem 1.25,000 5T Recorded by Orgenization Date Anne Grady Boston University February, 1986 INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity: DANVERS Fonn No: 79 Property Name: Frince-Osborn House Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. SIGNIFICANCE The Prince-Osborne House retains integrity of design, materials, and workmanship in:its two distinct First Period frames and in the noteworthy transitional finish details present in the later frame. The structure embodies distinctive characteristics of form and construction and therefore meets criterion C.
The unusual joining of the frame of a single room with late 17th century chamfering and hewn overhang to the frame of a single cell plan house with finish characteristics of c. 1720 represents an atypical practice. More commonly, the chimney bay of the older structure was retained when buildings were enlarged to a double cell Whether the older left hand rooms are the remains of the original building on the site which lost its chimney bay and received the right hand rooms and Chimney bay as an addition, or whether the two frames were joined at a later date is undetermined. The result, however, represents an alternative means of enlarging a First Period structure and a variant of the practise of joining two previously existing frames. The staircase and the paneling in the right hand room are significant transitional elements dating to c. 1720. The paneling is particularly noteworthy.
True paneling, held together by stiles and rails, it goes a step beyond the finish of the Parson Barnard House in the correct rendering of Renaissance-inspired interior panelling in New England. extreme The width of the feathered edges mark the paneling as one of the earliest examples of its type. (See doors in the White-Ellery House of 1711 and fireplace wall paneling of the Paul Revere House for comparable elements). The building also meets criterion D, for the structure is likely to yield more information about the construction and enlargement of First Period buildings if the framing of the left hand rooms and the junction of the two frames is ever available for examination. EXTERIOR DESCRIPTION The Prince-Osborne House is a two and one half story building with steeply pitched roof.
The main body of the structure, five bays wide and one room deep, incorporates two distinct First Period frames which together make a symmetrical plan. Atypically, the chimney bay appears to be part of the later, right hand frame. There are additions to the sides and rear. mid 19th century ell to the right rear, a mid 20th century car shed to the left, a lean-to to rear, and small wing to the right. whole is enveloped in simple finishes with clapboarás on the facade and shingles elsewhere. Fenestration, evenly spaced on the facade, is of simply framed sash windows throughout. The central doorway is unornamented. A small hewn overhang extends across the facade to the left of the doorway, indicating the location of the earlier frame within.
The two chimneys which pierce roof slope are 1915 reproductions of earlier chimneys removed before the house was relocated from its earlier site on Summer Street in Danvers. The location of those chimneys represents a reorientation probably in the late 18th century of the fireplaces in the principal rooms from inner wall served by central chimney to rear wall. Staple to Inventory form at bottom -1- INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity: DANVERS Form No: 79 Prince-Osborn Property Name: House Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. MAJOR FIRST PERIOD FEATURES First Period framing of different character in the left and right portions of the house is visible in all four front rooms and lobby.
The presence of rising brace mortises in the left chimney girt and post is the chief reason to believe that the chimney bay was part of the right hand entity, perhaps at one time a single cell structure (rebuilding in the attic and cellar has obliterated evidence of the house's growth typically found in those locations). In the left hand room, believed to be the earlier side, the longitudnal summer beam is 12 inches wide and has 1 1/2 inch flat chamfers and triangular curved stops. The chimney post is finished with a flat chamfer and taper stop. Joist spacing is relatively narrow, in the 17-18" range. In the left hand chamber, the summer tie beam has 1 3/4" to 2" flat chamfers (stops, if present, are buried in plaster). The lobby retains a finely crafted staircase of transitional style: Closely spaced turned balusters are set between a molded closed stringer.
The newel post is also turned. In the right hand room, the only exposed original framing member is the front post supporting the transverse summer beam. The post, a simplified version of the molded post head, has a broad bevel at the lower edge of the head and inch wide flat chamfers on the upright corners. The summer beam, replaced in 1944, was given inch wide flat chamfers replicating those on the original beam. super-raised field paneling on the rear an original position on the inner wall. the iner wai! The room retains fine transitional wall, very likely relocated from Four panels, in which the central field projects above the surrounding bolection, and feather edges are more than two inches wide, are currently mounted horizontally over the rear fireplace.
A two panel door with the same super-raised panels is at the right of the fireplace (similar paneling to the left of the fireplace was created in 1944). Pilasters of 18th century construction flank the fireplace. (See significance section for further comment on the paneling and its relocation). In the right hand chamber, there is a summer tie beam with flat chamfers and a jowled post supporting it. Roof framing was mostly destroyed in a mid-20th century fire, but remrants reveal that an original purlin roof was altered in the 19th century. Common rafters nailed together at the ridge were substituted for the purlins.
LATER SIGNIFICANT FEATURES In the late 18th century, after the relocation of the fireplaces to the rear wall, three of the four front rooms were given early Federal Period finishes: a simple mantelpiece and boxed beams with crown moldings in the left hand room, and vertical board beaded sheathing in the fireplace walls in the chambers. -2- Staple to Inventory form at bottom INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORI CAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Carmunity : DANVERS Form No: 79 Property Name: Prince-Osborn House Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued belaw. HISTORICAL INFORMATION The previous site of the house was part of the farm owned in the late 17th century by Robert Prince who left it to his two sons in trust to his wife Sarah.
Sarah, who eventually married her indentured servant, Alexander Osborne, was accused as a witch and died in prison in 1692. Prince's estate was disputed between Prince and Osborne heirs until 1720. Eldest son James Prince received a partial settlement in 1696 which included a house, however. It is difficult to pinpoint the construction date from available physical evidence, but it is likely that the left hand rooms, if original to the site, were constructed by c. 1690. estate in 1720 may have paved the way for the enlargement of the house and its embellishment with distinctive transitional finishes. The house was dia rinc t2veyaneltiona9 The settling of the restored in 1944 with the help of architect Phillip Horton Smith. At that time, this paneling was found lining a back hallway.
The paneling was moved to its present location on the basis of the discovery of a cut out for the transverse summer beam which exactly fit. (In addition, one of the priests from St. John's Normal School, which owned the building prior to its move, confirmed that the paneling had been before 1915 on the rear wall of the right hand room). The same paneling used in a vertical position with the two panel door may have been part of the finish of the presumed original fireplace wall abutting the chimney bay and may have been re-used on the rear wall when the chimneys were relocated in the late 18th century. Although there is no way to confirm the original location of the paneling, or even that it was built for the Prince Osborne House, the paneling does match the staircase stylistically in its date and even in the general character of the molding profiles.
The original fireplace was almost certainly on the inner wall. Also, the paneling is known to have been in the house before the restoration of 1944. This early and significant element and its history of re-use add to our knowledge of 18th century architectural decoration in the study area. REFERENCES Perley, Sidney. History of Salem. Salem, MA., 1926, V.2. pp. 31-34. Bayer, Paul. Salem Possessedi. Cambridge, Harvard University Press. pp. 193-94. Upham, 1974, Charles W. Salem Witchcraft. New York, Unger Publishing Company, 1969, reprint v.2, pp.17-26. The Salem Witchcraft Papers. New York, DaCapo, 1077 v.2, pp. 609-613. -3- Staple to Inventory form at bottom (oPS Fom 10000 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page. OMB Approvel No.
1024-0018 1/2y1a0 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State First Period Buildings of Eastern Massachusetts TR Nomination/Type of Review SM61. Newman--Fiske--Dådge House pabratenava 4001ee 62. Noyes, James, House Entered in the National Register 5/63. Old Farm Babstettine Bevite Date/Signature Srkeeper _ BitaSae 3/7/90 Attest JReeper AlsAgun 3/9/40 Attest Jrkeoper Bitlof. Savase 59/90 Attest 64. Old Garrison House eobstextive Sorio Keeper 65. Osborne, Prince, House/ Attest Entered 1n the Natlonal Register /keeper ( Xeleßyu 319/90 66. osgood, col. John, Woustenitiva dostee SUM67. Paine--Dodge House Eubstantive Reriou Attest for Keeper Attest fr Keeper. Attest SarX Sage 3/9/90 Bitt Saugge 3/9/90 68. Patch, Emeline, House Entered 1n the Mat1onal Register Xelaeyun 3/9/92 69. Perkins, John, House Entered in the Hational Register 70.
Proctor, John, House Entered in the Hationad Register Attest oReeper Alelousbyes 3/9/90 Attest rkeeper_Aelouapggen 3/9/90 Attest UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Osborne, Prince, House NAME: MULTIPLE First Period Buildings of Eastern Massachusetts TR NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Essex DATE RECEIVED: 1/24/90 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 2/23/90 ATE OF PENDING LIST: 2/07/9 ATE OF 45TH DAY: 3/10/90 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 90000203 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: COMMENT WAIVER: N VACCEPT _RETURN ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: REJECT 3/9/40 DATE N Entered in the Mational 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 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 Danvers Prince Osbarne, Huse 273 Maple stheet Right-Land ram, near u 1985 Ist Periid Bulodings 4 E.
May Th Ist Percd Puidhnes of E. Ma, TR 30:22 Danivers Prince Osborne House 273 Tapb Speet Stauncase detaul -Is'flcar 1985 Ist Peredl Beldingsef E.Ma,TR 30:26 1% Ux78E 1985 Ist Perad Buldinss af E Ma., TR 30:30 1785 Ist Perid Buldinss d/ E. Mo, TR 30:32 Danvers Pance Osborne House 273 Mape steet sumner the bean 1985 Ist Perca Buldness of E. Ma, TR 273 maple street, ? Danves Pance Osbarne House 273 Taple Steet Main Uew 1985 Lot Poricd Buldings of E, Ma, Mh "087' 200 127.35 DANUSAS, TIA 273 Tlaple Street Tap 34-021 SCALE: ''=100' Osberne, Prine, Hox N I.IAC 244 242:24: 29.33. ACCESS 3° , OWN OF DANVERS ELECTRIC 20' BA 104.52° 1/3' 120.35 DEPT. 2006 198' 174.52 190.37' 14 14G.SS IA 6.1 AC. 178 22232 179 20054 25.01' 99.99' 180 21597 125 105.23° "8 137.39' 181 24651 30.4° 67.23 lo 22.38/ FOX 43 - Gs 1887 94.860 192 20077 142.29' 182 .. 20163 137.44 RUN ROAD 13 142' 183 20164
- (IA) 193 24168 139.23 8546 126- 80.26' 142.23 191 20038 7560 124: 6620 122: 55T 6600 120 Sg 125 190 20100 '3,. 186 so., 6, 189 20272 4 3 3 29 MAPLE 39200 53.3 (s 120.51° 93.41 8714 SLAI 18000 26.18 9676 21.5 76.48 175.0' 19A 175.68' 18A 36643 ROAD 191,42 GORMAN 69.06 98.6 10000 7905 120.82 94.16 2020141. 202.04' (ROUTE 153 2016. 83.54 188 20016 44.14 3/ 4/ Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000281