Northampton Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District, 421 North Main Street, Northampton

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS MA-1353. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

421 North Main Street, Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts HABS No. MA-1353-A Building 27 (Greenhouse) HABS No. MA-1353-B Building 34 (Nurses Garage) (Personnel Garage) HABS No. MA-1353-C Building 41 (Horse Barn) HABS No. MA-1353-D Building T7 (Paint Shop) (Quonset Hut) HABS No. MA-1353-E Building T12 (Storage Building) (Quonset Hut) HABS No. MA-1353-F Building T13 (Carpenters Shop) HABS No. MA-1353-G Building T15 (Lock Shop) The coordinates represent the approximate center of each building. These coordinates were obtained on April 1, using Google Maps and the National Geodetic Survey Conversion and Transformation Tool. The coordinate s datum is North American Datum There is no restriction on its release to the public.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS MA-1353. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

The Northampton Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital was the first veterans hospital in the state of Massachusetts, constructed for the Veterans Bureau. It was the result of an intense campaign on the part of local interests to secure the federal NORTHAMPTON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL HISTORIC DISTRICT HABS No. MA-1353 (Page 2) project for Northampton. 1 The original campus, building between and consisted of 286 acres and over 45 buildings. These included the main hospital facilities, residences, and utility maintenance buildings, as well as farming operations and shops that were part of the VA s occupational therapy program. It is a significant example of the type of health care available to veterans in the first half of the twentieth century.

During this time, new treatments that incorporated occupational therapies were developed to treat neuropsychiatric patients returning from World Wars I and II. Many of the buildings included in this documentation were constructed to accommodate the kind of vocational training and work programs adopted by the VA as part of its mission to better prepare veterans to reenter civilian life after the trauma of war. The documented buildings are important elements of a Period I neuropsychiatric Second Generation Veterans Hospital.

During the first half of the twentieth century, this type of hospital design, which emphasized the separation of functions into distinct buildings and included the addition of buildings devoted to occupational therapies, was standardized and replicated throughout the country. The characteristics of this era of VA hospital design are further articulated in the United States Second Generation Veterans Hospitals Multiple Property Documentation form. 2 The first buildings erected on campus were designed in stripped-down Colonial Revival and Dutch Colonial Revival styles and later buildings were predominantly modern and utilitarian in design.

The period of significance for the Northampton VA Hospital Historic District extends from the year construction of the hospital began, to the termination date for the period of significance indicated in the United States Second Generation Veterans Hospitals Multiple Property Documentation form. 3 The buildings included in this documentation are contributing resources to the Northampton VA Hospital Historic District, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 12, As part of the historic district, the subject buildings are locally significant under National Register Criteria A and C in the areas of Politics and Government, Health and Medicine, and Architecture. 1 Trent Spurlock et al., Northampton Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District.

National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination Form (Lexington, Kentucky: Cultural Resource Analysis, Inc., 2 Trent Spurlock et al., United States Second Generation Veterans Hospitals Multiple Property Listing (Washington, DC: National Park Service, 3 Spurlock et al., Northampton. NORTHAMPTON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL HISTORIC DISTRICT HABS No. MA-1353 (Page 3) Description: Today, the Northampton VA Hospital Historic District encompasses approximately 105 acres which contain 61 resources arranged in a campus-like setting with primary buildings situated atop a hill and support facilities at the bottom of the hill. The historic district is generally surrounded by wooded acreage with sparse residential development situated to the south.

The setting of the Northampton VA Hospital campus is characterized by the roadway circulation system that connects to parking lots interspersed between the buildings. Small, wooded areas; ponds; sidewalks; and several scenic outlooks complement the arrangement of buildings which culminates into a central courtyard formed by several prominent buildings. Building 27 (Greenhouse) HABS No. MA-1353-A Building 27 was built in by the Foley Company of Chicago, and is one of three extant greenhouses on the hospital campus. Located in the southeastern section of the campus and to the rear of Building 7, Building 27 is a one-story, gable-oriented greenhouse, on a southwest-northeast axis.

The greenhouse is built into a small bank with a raised concrete foundation and is constructed of metal framing and textured, translucent glass panels. A one-story, hipped-roof brick building, also on a raised concrete foundation, abuts the southwest end of the greenhouse. The roof of the brick building is sheathed in slate shingles. The primary entrance to the greenhouse faces southeast and consists of a multi-light, wood-paneled door that pierces the southeast fa ade of the brick building. The entrance is accessed by either a concrete ramp or concrete stairs. The remaining facades of the brick building are punctured by small, paired windows with aluminum sash. A secondary entrance is located on the northeast fa ade of the greenhouse.

Several vents in varying sizes pierce the greenhouse throughout. The interior of the greenhouse consists generally of an elongated, bi-level open space with concrete-framed planting beds and metal shelving running nearly the entire length of the greenhouse. The metal truss system supporting the textured, translucent glass panels is visible above. Accessed by several concrete steps, the lower level of the greenhouse runs along the southeast side of the building and features additional planting beds with brick capping. At the southwest end is the interior of the one-story, brick building, which consists of wood shelving, a utility sink, and modern fluorescent lighting. Building 34 (Nurses Garage) (Personnel Garage) HABS No.

MA-1353-B Situated near the northwest region of the hospital campus, Building 34 was constructed in as a garage for hospital personnel. The building consists of an elongated, rectangular footprint and is built of hollow clay blocks atop a poured concrete foundation. A shed roof sheathed in corrugated metal panels caps the NORTHAMPTON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL HISTORIC DISTRICT HABS No. MA-1353 (Page 4) building. The southwest fa ade measures eight bays wide. Each bay is punctured by a garage-sized opening with modern rolling doors, added in The rear (northeast) fa ade is perforated by eight small, four-light windows with brick sills. The interior of the bays generally feature corrugated metal paneling on the walls with exposed wood framing. Building 34 is primarily used for storage.

Building 41 (Horse Barn) HABS No. MA-1353-C Building 41 was built in as a horse barn and is one of several former agriculture-related buildings situated to the west of the hospital campus. The building is a two-story, frame structure built atop a raised, concrete foundation with its primary fa ade facing southeast. An asphalt-shingled, gambrel roof with deep, flared eaves caps the barn. The exterior features horizontal drop-wood siding. A central, large barn door dominates the southeast fa ade and is flanked by small window openings, which have been filled with plywood and painted to appear as six-light windows. The southwest fa ade of the barn features a second- floor door and similar painted plywood alteration to its windows.

The northeast fa ade features five additional painted plywood window openings. A one-story, concrete-block, shed-roof addition abuts the northwest fa ade. In a partially ruinous state, the addition is punctured by three wood doors that each lead to separate storage spaces. The interior of the barn is an open space with exposed wood framing and is primarily used for storage. Building T7 (Paint Shop) (Quonset Hut) HABS No. MA-1353-D One of several Quonset huts on the hospital campus, Building T7 was installed in to the rear (southwest) of Building 12. It functioned as the paint shop. Building T7 sits on a concrete pad and is one story in height, with a long, rectangular footprint, oriented with its primary fa ade facing southeast.

The exterior is sheathed primarily in corrugated metal except for the primary (southeast) and northwest fa ades which are clad with wood siding. The roof is a curved, hanger style flanked by low-pitched, shed-roof enclosures. Fenestration includes two-over-two, wood sash and a double-leaf, metal door. Several windows have been filled. The interior of Building T7 consists of several different partitioned spaces with exposed framing and concrete flooring throughout. Various types of shelving line the walls. Florescent light fixtures are mounted to the ceiling. The building is used primarily for storage. Building T12 (Storage Building) (Quonset Hut) HABS No.

MA-1353-E Used today for storage, Building T12 was built in concurrent with the construction of a number of other Quonset huts for the hospital. The building is NORTHAMPTON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL HISTORIC DISTRICT HABS No. MA-1353 (Page 5) situated among a group of former agriculture-related buildings to the northwest of the main campus. Building T12 sits on a concrete pad and is oriented with its primary fa ade facing south. It appears to be a Q-Model Quonset hut with a semi- circular frame and hanger-style roof. Corrugated metal panels envelope the majority of the exterior of the elongated building. The primary (south) fa ade is covered in wood siding and is pierced by a double-leaf, wood door. Building T12 does not have any window openings.

The interior is an open space which is characterized by a concrete floor, exposed steel framing, and corrugated metal paneling. Building T13 (Carpenters Shop) HABS No. MA-1353-F Similar in design to Building T7, Building T13 was built in during the construction of a number of Quonset huts throughout the hospital grounds. Sited to the rear (southwest) of Building 12, Building T13 is a one-story building with a rectangular footprint, oriented with its primary fa ade facing northwest. The exterior is sheathed primarily in corrugated metal except for the primary (northwest) and southeast fa ades, which, like many of the Quonset huts on the hospital campus, are clad with wood siding. It rests on a poured concrete foundation.

Akin to Building T7, the roof is a combination of a curved, central hanger style down the center with a low-pitched, shed roof extending the length of both side fa ades. Interior access is gained through single doors piercing both the northwest and southeast fa ades. Windows are generally two-over-two, wood- sash units. Extending from the southwest fa ade is a one-story, shed-roof structure with wood siding and a concrete foundation. An additional wood door pierces the southeast fa ade of the extension. The interior consists of a large, open space with exposed framing and paneling. Shelving units line the walls in several areas. Building T13 is used for storage. Building T15 (Lock Shop) HABS No.

MA-1353-G Building T15 is similar in design and appearance to Buildings T7 and T13 and was also built in Sited to the rear (southwest) of Building 12, Building T15 is smaller in length than Buildings T7 and but is a similarly shaped one-story building with a rectangular footprint and hanger-shed combination corrugated metal roof. Like Building it rests on a concrete pad foundation and is oriented with its primary fa ade facing northwest. The exterior is sheathed primarily in corrugated metal except for the primary (northwest) fa ade, which is clad with wood siding. Fenestration consists of doors at either end of the building and multi-light, wood-sash windows. The interior is partitioned into separate spaces and dominated by shelving as it continues to be used as a lock shop.

NORTHAMPTON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL HISTORIC DISTRICT HABS No. MA-1353 (Page 6) History: The Northampton VA Hospital was the first veterans hospital built for the Veterans Bureau in Massachusetts. The original 24 buildings, which included the horse barn (Building 41, were constructed between and and designed by the Construction Service, Quartermaster Corps of the Army. 4 Approximately 12 additional structures were built between and The decision to locate the hospital in Northampton was the result of a sustained campaign on the part of local politicians and business interests, approved by United States President Warren G.

Harding in Originally 286 acres, the main campus was built on the top of a hill, with ancillary buildings located along the surrounding hillside to the west and south. The hospital opened in treating 75 patients in May of that year. By its capacity had risen to beds. Between and additional buildings, located throughout the campus, were erected to accommodate the type of occupational therapies typical of neuropsychiatric treatment practiced during this period. Developed to treat World War I soldiers for shell shock, occupational and recreational therapies were important components in the recovery of disabled veterans at the time.

5 The mission of Second Generation Veterans Hospitals, of which the Northampton VA is considered a significant example, was the rapid rehabilitation, healing, and return of veterans to their productive civilian lives. 6 Vocational training, farming, and work programs, like the kind offered at the Northampton VA, aided in this mission. Buildings constructed to accommodate occupational therapy programs included the Horse Barn (Building 41, Greenhouse, (Building 27, Paint Shop (Building T7, Storage Building (Building Carpenter Shop (Building and Lock Shop (Building A number of these buildings were originally intended as temporary structures. The Paint Shop, Storage Building, Carpenter Shop, and Lock Shop are all corrugated metal Quonset huts, some of which were modified with additions.

The Nurses Garage, (Building 34, while not related to the occupational therapy program, is still representative of the type of separate, standalone spaces, spread out in a campus- style setting, typical of the design of VA hospitals during this period. Additions, renovations, and construction of new buildings continued through the and Known today as the Leeds Campus of the Northampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the medical center currently offers a 65-bed nursing home care unit, 16 beds within the psychiatric rehabilitation residential 4 Spurlock et al., Northampton. 5 Spurlock et al., Northampton. 6 Spurlock et al., United States. NORTHAMPTON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL HISTORIC DISTRICT HABS No.

MA-1353 (Page 7) treatment program, and 116 beds for general medicine, intermediate, and long- term psychiatric patients. The medical center is affiliated with a number of schools and serves approximately residents living in five western Massachusetts counties.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS MA-1353. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Spurlock, Trent, Matthew D. McMahan, Rachel Bankowitz, Ann Marie P. Doyon, and Holly Higgins. Northampton Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District. National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination Form. Lexington, Kentucky: Cultural Resource Analysis, Inc., Spurlock, Trent, Karen E. Hudson, Dean Doerrfeld, and Craig A. Potts. United States Second Generation Veterans Hospitals Multiple Property Listing. Washington, DC: National Park Service, Historians: Allee Davis and Shannon Garrison RGA, Inc. 259 Prospect Plains Road, Building D Cranbury, New Jersey April

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS MA-1353. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Recordation of the Northampton Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District was completed in by RGA, Inc. (RGA) for Acela Engineering Co. (Daniel Witczak, Project Director) under contract to the Veterans Affairs Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System. Allee Davis, RGA Senior Architectural Historian, supervised the project. The photographic documentation was prepared by Allee Davis and RGA Graphics Specialist Laura Hundersmarck. RGA Architectural Historian Shannon Garrison and Allee Davis prepared the historical report. NORTHAMPTON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL HISTORIC DISTRICT HABS No.

MA-1353 (Page 8) 25 4 6 2 8 69 9 1 60 23 30 63 31 3 7 26 22 5 9A 11 27 21 12 20 12A T7 T15 T13 42 28 34 29 19 18 17 T11 13 13S 14 T8 65 16 15 45 24 on pt 35 am rth No 41 T12 52 40 Buildings included in this documentation Feet 0 310 Sketch Plan NORTHAMPTON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL HISTORIC DISTRICT HABS No. MA-1353 (Page 9) Key for Sketch Plan Building No. Building Name(s) Building No.

Building Name(s) 1 Main Hospital: Admissions, 23 Quarters Discharge, Police and Wards 2 Information Resource 24 Picnic Shelter Management and Contracting 3 Human Resources, Personnel, 25 Education, Police Services, Safety, Nursing and EMS 4 Psychiatric Ward 26 Soldier-On 5 Nutrition, Dining Room, and Food 27* Greenhouse Services 6 Soldier-On (formally-United 29 Water Tank Veterans Shelter) 7 1st floor (Engineering) 2nd floor 30 Greenhouse (SUD-C) 8 Ward 8 Unit) 34* Nurses Garage; Personnel Garage 9 Incentive Therapy/Horticulture 35 Meter House 9A Patient Clinic 40 Piggery and Slaughter House 11 Recreation/Auditorium 41* Horse Barn 12 Director's Office, Fiscal, and 42 Paint Storage Public Affairs 13 Motor Pool and Grounds 52 Storage Building 13S Salt Storage Shed 60 Chapel 14 Laundry and Storage 63 Greenhouse 16 Warehouse and Mail Room 69 Open Air Chapel and Pavilion 17 Transportation T7* Paint Shop; Quonset Hut 18 Quarters T8 Quonset Hut 19 Quarters Storage Building; Quonset Hut 20 Unoccupied Carpenters Shop 21 Quarters Lock Shop 22 VA Call Center * Buildings included in this documentation.