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NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) OMB No. 1024-0018 RECEIVED 2280 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service APR 1 51999 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NAT. REGISTER OF HISTORIC NNATIONAL PARK SERVICEACES This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions.
Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name. _SARAH R.S. ROBY MEMORIAL BUILDING other names/site number DUNSTABLE TOWN_HALL (preferred) 2. Location street & number_511 MAIN STREET _ not for publication city or town_ DUNSTABLE _ vicinity stateMASSACHUSEITS code_MA county MIDDLESEX _ code_017 _ Zip code _01827 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, 1 hereby certify that thit f nomination - request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60.
In my opinion, the property Jmeets - does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant - nationally O statewide E-locally. (O See continuation sheet for additional comments.) udizo. MiDonona Signature of certifying official/Title Judith B.McDonough, Executive Director 3/3/99 Massachusetts Historical Commission, State Historic Preservation Officer State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets - does not meet the National Register criteria. ([ See continuation sheet for additional Comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby certify that this property is: dentered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined eligible for the National Register - See continuation sheet.
- determined not eligible for the National Register D removed from the National Register - other (explain): baN. Beall Ti7R Dunstable Town Hall Name of Property 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) _ private X public-local _ Public-State _ Public-Federal (Check only one box) Xbuilding(s) _ district - site _ structure _ object Middlesex, MA County and State Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing 1 Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) building _ sites _structures 1 3 objects 2 3 Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 0 6.
Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) GOVERNMENT: Town Hall; Correctional facility Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) GOVERNMENT: Town Hall 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) LATE VICTORIAN: Queen Anne/Romanesque LATE 19' CENTURY REVIVAL: Classical Revival Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundation_STONE / granite walls brick roof other STONE / slate Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900-e (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page 1 Dunstable Town Hall Dunstable (Middlesex), MA The Dunstable Town Hall, also known as the Sarah R. S.
Roby Memorial Building, is located at the center of this Middlesex County community of some 2,300 people. Sited near the crossroads of Main Street (Route 113 from Tyngsboro), Pleasant Street (Route 113 from Pepperell), and High Street (leading from Nashua, New Hampshire), the Town Hall faces south onto Main Street on a two-acre lot. It was erected in 1907 and was designed by Warren Floyd. The Town Hall occupies a slightly sloping lot on what had been the town common. A small triangle of open space to the rear of the building is all that remains of that public space, although a long narrow grassy area south of the Town Hall, across Main Street, that was previously a hayfield is now known as the Town Common. Some deciduous and evergreen trees on the Town Hall parcel may predate the structure.
Across Main Street from the Town Hall are the Dunstable Evangelical Congregational Church (1912), the Union Elementary School (1895) now joined to the Swallow Elementary School (1964), and the town playing fields. Two five-bay, hip-roofed Federal-period houses flank the Town Hall, and other historic residences dating to the 18th ,19th ', and early 20** centuries also remain. Together these elements constitute a well-preserved area potentially eligible for listing as a National Register Historic District. The town hall is set back approximately fifty feet from Main Street. A drive at the front of the building divides it from a small commemorative park space (also within the bounds of this nomination). A semicircular group of arborvitae frames a monument to those from Dunstable who served in the two World Wars. To its west is a second, recent memorial honoring Civil War veterans.
At the very front of the lot stands a small monument stone, installed in 1932, commemorating those who served in the First World War; rhododendron bushes flank the stone. A flagpole stands in the midst of these monuments, and to the southeast a tall, rough-cut granite post holds a sign identifying the building. Two wide granite steps lead from the driveway to the poured-concrete walkway that currently leads up to the structure; it is edged with a railing of iron pipe. An iron arch surmounted by a lantern has been removed, although the town plans to restore it. On either side of the walkway is an area of lawn with foundation plantings across the façade. On the western side, densely planted evergreens shield the building from High Street, while the eastern side now holds a parking area off Common Street.
The building is constructed of brick, with foundation and trim of granite, and blends Richardsonian Romanesque, Queen Anne, and classical revival-style details. Its main block is essentially rectangular in plan, with asymmetry provided by a polygonal corner tower; there is also a broad rear ell. Both are surmounted by hipped roofs sheathed in slate. The building rises 1 ½ stories above a raised basement of (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Dunstable Town Hall Dunstable (Middlesex), MA granite ashlar to a broad hipped roof pierced by dormers. A dentillated cornice encircles the building.
The entrance is dominated by a centered, projecting porch whose rounded brick arch is surmounted by a crenellated roofline with granite caps. A large rectangular granite plaque centered above the arch reads: SARAH R. S. ROBY 19-MEMORIAL-07 Building trim is otherwise limited to granite lintels and sills, panel brick and pilasters on the main block, and modest corbelling on the tower. Narrower, full-length arches are located on either side of the entry arch; a railing of iron pipe encloses the porch on each side. Directly above the entrance is a gable-roofed dormer with Palladian-style three-part window. The dormer is covered in slate. Save for the dormers, all fenestration is set within granite lintels and sills. All the present 1/1 sash are recent replacements of the original sash.
On the east side of the south-facing front facade, there is a series of windows in the following order from the entranceway: single, narrow rectangular window; double windows; single window. On the west side of the entranceway, the window series goes as follows: single window; double windows. Then, on the west corner of the front rises a 2 ½-story hexagonal tower with a conical roof topped by a copper finial. While the first-level windows in the tower are rectangular, those on the second story windows are roundheaded. Half-size windows lighting the lower level of Town Hall are aligned with those directly above them on the first floor. The side facades are similar, each three bays deep with sash arranged singly and in pairs, with a hip- roofed, slate-shingled dormer. Each dormer contains a tripartite array of half-size sash, all modern replacements.
The rear facade has two windows, one on either side of the center door approached by brick steps. The original east facade has a 1986 brick addition containing a secondary entryway. The plan of the building encompasses two square units covered by adjoining hipped roofs. The main block has a central stairhall; on the first floor, there is a large meeting room to the west and several smaller offices with walk-in safe to the east. The safe has been in the building since it was constructed. At the rear is the large auditorium with a small stage at its eastern end, set beneath a proscenium arch. On the lower level, the main block holds office spaces and a kitchen, while beneath the auditorium to the rear is the large meeting/dining hall known as the Grange Room. Enclosed stairs lead from the central hall on the main floor to attic storage space once used as secondary offices.
(continued) NePS, Form 10-900 Inited States Department of the Interio lational Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 3 Section number Page OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Dunstable Town Hall Dunstable (Middlesex), MA The interior retains original fabric, such as doors, door and window enframements, wainscoting, and stair balusters and rails. Archaeological Description While no prehistoric sites are recorded on the nominated property, it is possible that sites are present. The Town Hall is located on a well drained level to moderately sloping land surface within 1000 feet of Black Brook, part of the Merrimack River drainage. One prehistoric site is recorded in the general area (within one mile). In general, however, the potential for locating significant prehistoric resources within the Town Hall property is low.
Construction of the town hall, which has a basement, and landscaping around the structure have probably impacted any prehistoric resources which may have been present on the property. The potential for locating significant historic archaeological resources on the nominated property is also low. Although a portion of the "village green" or town common is reported to survive behind the town hall, no structures are reported for that area. Some potential exists for artifact scatters or "sheet refuse" in the area, possibly associated with public activities on the common, however, these activities would be of limited research potential and value. Given the above information, construction impacts associated with the town hall and related landscaping activities, the potential for locating significant historic archaeological resources is also low. (end) Dunstable Town Hall Name of Property 8.
Statement of Significance