Fort Rodman Military Reservation, Gas Chamber, East side of main access road, New Bedford

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The Gas Chamber Building retains its integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and workmanship. It was built specially for training troops in gas mask use during World War II, a major event in this country's history. In addition, as part of a coastal installation during the final period of coastal fortifications, it contributes to the existing Fort Taber National Register District, which is significant because it is "representative of the development of American coastal fortifications from the Revolutionary period through the mid-20th century." FORT RODMAN MILITARY RESERVATION, GAS CHAMBER (Fort Rodman Military Reservation, Building HABS No. MA-1256-D (Page 2) PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. Date of Erection: - 45 2.

Architect: United States Army Corps of Engineers 3. Original and Subsequent Owners: United States Army - City of New Bedford 4. Builder: United States Army 5. Original Plans: 6. Alterations and Additions: None B. Historical Context The Gas Chamber building was built sometime between and but whether it was constructed according to a standardized plan or whether it is a design unique to Fort Rodman is not clear. It was originally used to test gas masks to familiarize soldiers with their use; tear gas canisters were set off in the building and the soldiers, wearing masks, spent about five minutes inside. After the war, the building was used for a time as a bathhouse and it was probably in this period that the shower heads were installed. The building now serves as a bathhouse.

According to the database prepared by the Army study documenting World War II buildings, there are only 13 gas chamber-type buildings still standing on Army property. If this is accu- rate, it would, Qf course, mean that the Gas Chamber at Fort Rodman is an important cultural resource. PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement 1. Architectural Character: The Gas Chamber building at Fort Rodman is a good example of a "temporary" structure built during World War II. 2. Condition of Fabric: The building is generally in good condition. Except for the replacement of the original doors and windows and the addition of the shower heads, the building appears to retain most of its original features and finishes. B.

Description of Exterior/Interior The present structure is one story, three-by-two bays, and has a gable roof covered with asphalt shingles, the exterior clad with wood drop siding (a form of tongue-and- groove boards laid horizontally), and a cement slab foundation. FORT RODMAN MILITARY RESERVATION, GAS CHAMBER (Fort Rodman Military Reservation, Building HABS No. MA-1256-D (Page 3) The front has a center double door and, to the left, three small high windows (now boarded up); the left gable end has a small triangular vent in the peak of the gable and two pairs of the small high windows, again boarded. On the back side is another center double door flanked by small high triple windows on either side.

The right gable end has a smaller triangular vent in the peak of the gable and two pairs of small high windows; in the center are shower heads attached to the side of the building. -PART III. SOURCES OF INFORMATION Specifications CERL (Construction Engineering Research Lab) Database printout. Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box Champaign, IL Historical Information Seasholes, Nancy Office of Public Archeology - Boston University Architectural Inventory of the Fort Rodman Military Reservation in New Bedford, MA Office of Public Archeology Report of Investigations No. 72 Site Plans Post Engineer's Office Fort Rodman: Water System. Map on file at the U.S.

Army Base, Fort Rodman, New Befiford, MA Quartermaster's Corps Fort Rodman: Sewer Systems and Drainage. Map on File at U.S. Army Base, Fort Rodman, New Bedford, MA PART IV. PROJECT INFORMATION The City of New Bedford entered into a consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and the Conservation Law Foundation in to construct a secondary wastewater treatment facility as a result of the city's violation of the Clean Water Act. The Project includes a new secondary wastewater treatment plant at Fort Rodman, decommissioning and demolition of the existing primary plant, improvements to historic Fort Taber and development of Taber Park, and rehabilitation of the existing 60-inch outfall.

The majority of buildings comprising the Fort Rodman Military Reservation will be demolished; several will be retained or relocated and renovated for commu- nity purposes. Following completion of the plant, the existing primary plant will be demolished and the Fort Rodman site will be restored, including significant mitigation in the form of Taber Park. Taber Park will be a community recreational park, around the site's existing national FORT RODMAN MILITARY RESERVATION, GAS CHAMBER ~ - (Fort Rodman Military Reservation, Building HABS No. MA-1256-D (Page 4) register-listed fort and batteries.

The park will provide an appropriate setting for ~e historical resources of Fort Taber and the batteries, as well as recreation opportunities such as picnic areas, multipurpose playfields, and trails and paths. The Memorandum of Agreement for the Project was developed between the City of New Bedford, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Massachusetts Department of Environ- mental Protection, the National Park Service, the Department of the Army, and the Massachu- setts Historical Commission. EPA, as enforcer of the Clean Water Act, is the primary agency for ensuring NHPA compliance. The US Army Corps of Engineers is also involved as a holdet -of property restrictions on the site.

The National Park Service is involved due to property restrictions. Prepared by: Elizabeth Beardsley, based on studies and documentation performed by Donald G. Jones and Nancy C. Seasholes, Office of Public Archaeology, Boston Universi- ty (historical and archaeological research and analysis) and Martin Stupich (photography). Title: Engineer Affiliation: Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. Date: F rt . Reserva t'.o n , G as Chamber Building ) o Rodman Military Military Reservation, . (Fort RodmanA-1256-D (Page 5) HABS No. M Fort Rodman Military Reservation, Gas Chamber (Fort Rodman Military Reservation, Building HABS No. MA-1256-D (Page 6) 32' 1 0 M . SCALE: