David Dickinson House, Old Deerfield Street, Deerfield

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS MASS,6-DEER,21-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Classroom and dormitory building. The home of Ns.jor David Dickinson, a man of prominence in this area in post-Revolutionary times. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History 1. Original and subsequent owners: David Dickinson. Purchased in b]LAsa Stebbins; held by his descendents until the LGeQ.rge Sheldon, A History of Deerfield, Miss., _/. 2. Date of erection: About 3. Notes on alterations and additions: There have been alterations and restoration, which cannot be documented at present. 4. Important references: George Sheldon, A History of Deerfield, Mass,. (Greenfield, Mlssachusetts: -E.A. Hall and Company, vol. 1, p. Prepared by Harley J. :McKee, Architect National Park Service August PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement 1.

Architectural Character: Frontispiece at main entrance doorway of unusual interest. attractive details, many of questionabl~ date due to restorations. Plan of main portion is a type found in Deerfield, but not common elsewhere.

David Dickinson House

Page 2 (HABS No. MASS-640) 2. Condition of Fabric:\267 Medium, except for sagging and need for exterior paint. Shows widespread evidence of restoration, estimated 50 years ago. B. Technical Description of Exterior 1. Overall dimensions: Two stories. Center hall house x with long frame ell x 2. Foundations: Low foundation of cut sandstone, scored with imitation joints. 3. Wall construction: Heavy frame of sawn and hewn timbers. Hand-riven narrow siding fastened with wrought nails. 4. Chinmeys: Two main stacks well to rear of main section, brick with clay mortar below roof line. One similar chimney in ell, showing intersection line with former roof. 5. Openings a. D::>orways and doors: Jvl:l.in doorway - quasi-elliptical-headed frontispiece with fan and side lights.

Some evidence of former porch. Two side doors on south - with pilasters (like details in Asher Benjamin's book of 18JO). Exterior doorsteps of brown sandstone. b. Windows and shutters: Windows 6/6 double hung. Louvered shutters. 6. Roof a. Shape, covering: Front block gabled. Ell now gabled; internal evidence shows former gambrel roof. Now covered with asphalt shingles; portion of main roof under attic of ell retains wood shingles, circular sawn, fastened with wrought nails. b. Roof framing: Heavy ridge pole, with heavy tapered sash-sawn rafters, pegged joints. c. Cornice, eaves: Wooden cornice of questionable age. Returns at gable corners. d. D::>rmers: One modern dormer on north side lean-to, c. Technical Description of Interiors 1. Floor Plan: Central hall, two major rooms to a floor.

Several additions to rear, of various periods. DAVID DICKINSON HOUSE Page 3 (HABS No. MASS-640) 2. Stairways: M:tin stairway bas clumsy turnings, which a.re replacements. 3. Flooring: Generally wide boards, especially in ell where they a.re very wide,- up to 17 11 First floor framing bas been repaired and strengthened; evidence remains of hewn sill and girders, half-pole joists. 4. Wall and ceiling finish: Chimney walls paneled in wood, others with wood wainscoting and plastered; ceilings plastered. 5. fuorways and doors: M:tinly original - of two types: 1) paneled, 2) board and batten. 6. Trim: Largely original. M,ulded wood. Heavy timbers of frame are cased where exposed. 7. Hardware: Much old hand-wrought hardware; door hinges strap and butts. 8.

Lighting: Now electrified; no old fixtures of interest. 9. Heating: Originally by fireplaces. Now warm-air central heating. D. Site 1. General setting and orientation: Set in typical small town on large lot. Front faces east on street. 2. Enclosures: Open. 3. Outbuildings: All joined to main house; shed continues lines of ell, to some degree. 4. Walks: Stepping stones. 5. Landscaping: Large lawn, with specimen\267 .trees and shrubs. Prepared by Harley J. McKee, Architect National Park Service July