1983 Historical Commission minutesI
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
yQ' I CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
CITY }TALL
Northampton Historical Commission
Official Meeting Notice
Date:
Time:
Tuesday, January 3, 1983
4:15 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers, Municipal Building
Northampton, Mass.
Agenda
City Hall Renovations - Emmy Clausing
2. DAR District Nomination - Peter Rowe
*-"3. Mandate and Objectives for 1984 - Jean Kitely
4. Walking Tour Cassettes - Ralph Gage
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEMORIAL HALL 240 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
CITY HALL
Northm tan *Historical CaMission
Of f icial Meeting 'Notice
Date: Tuesday, February 8, 1983
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers, Municipal Building,
Northampton, Mass.
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J 1. Resignations and new appointments to the CaWli.ssicn
J 2. The Hawley- sullivan school renovations - Chapin
3. The Polish- American Club and Gazette Building renovations - Eliot
J 4. Cm program 1983 Tanasik
5. Funds
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEMORIAL HALL 240 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
CITY HALL
Minutes
Northampton Historical Commission
February 8, 1983
Present: Chapin, Clark, Lin coln, Mackin, Vanasse
Ex Officio: Tomasik, Weigel
1. The Commission accepted with regret the resignations of Keith Wilbur and
Russell Carrier:. Dr. Wilbur, a charter member, has served for nearly fif-
teen years on the Northampton Historical Commission.
The Cam - ission voted to recommend Jeffrey Geller for full membership on the
Ca nission.
2. The Hawley - Sullivan School building will be purchased and adopted for 45
apartments, 8 studios, and space for retail and exhibition display. The
Auditorium in the Sullivan building will remain intact. It will be available
to the community free of charge. The Historical Commission will consult during
the renovation.
3. Carol Hyde has withdrawn plans for adoptation of the Polish American Club
building on Strong Avenue in face of regulations for apartment rental. Only
the first floor will be renovated for a restaurant and bar. Dorothy Chapin
will look up material on the old Polish American Club.
4. Carol Mackin raised a question concerning the disposition of records of the
closed schools. Are they preserved by the Northampton School Department?
5. Projects and Funds:
The Historical Society has suggested an inventory of the Bridge Street Cemetary.
Ann Tomasik suggested that a consortium of local Historical Commissions apply
for one of the $5,000 Preservation Grants which are beyond the capability of
a single community.
There will be two workshops on Preservation: one in Holyoke on applying for
grants, one on restoration (paint).
6. Dorothy Chapin will consult the City Property Can-nittee about bookcases for
the Historical Society.
7. Next meeting: Tuesday, March 8.
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL
MEMORIAL HALL 240 MAIN STREET NOR'T'HAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Minutes
Northampton Historical Conanission
March 8, 1983
Present: Clark, Eliot, Geller, Kiteley, Lincoln, Stevens, Vanasse
1. For the Northampton Historical Society, Rather Wilbur urged the Cammission
to undertake an inventory of the Bridge Street Cemetery: photographs of the
stones, identification of families, map of the grounds.
2. For the Planning Board, Gene Bunnell presented the Dwyer and Gompers plans
for the development and preservation of the round house property. These
proposals, which are still tentative, expand the Gillen Associates design,
to include a five story office building, three stories above the level of
C J Pulaski Park and with an entrance frcgn the Park. The Cmn&ssion has asked
for elevations of the building on the park and detailed drawing of the park
side entrance. Since this structure will impinge upon the most historic and
most visible center of the city, essentially a town square, the new building
must be architecturally caxpatible with the Academy of Music, Memorial Hall,
City Hall and the Unitarian Church. Plans appended to these minutes.
3. Cynthia Barbero, student in landscape architecture at the University of
Massachusetts presented her project on the research, development and
recreational use of the old Northampton Canal Bed. The Commission proposes
a presentation of this plan by Miss Barbero, with maps and slides at an
open meeting during Preservation Week.
Respectfully suhn-itted-
Eleanor T. Lincoln
CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEMORIAL HALL 240 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
, u
North�ur>pton Historical Commission
Official Meeting Notice roT C t 4A ) H'
Date: Tuesday, April 12, 1983
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers, Municipal Building
Northampton, Mass.
Agenda
1. Preservation Week Observance: Ms. Barbero's Project
2. Awards
3. Bride Street Cemetery Project
4. Historical Plaques
5. Membership - New Associate Member
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- NORTH AVIPTON HISTORICAL - COMMISSION
CITY MALL
MEMORIAL HALL 240 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Northampton Historical Commission
Official Meeting Notice
V11
Date: Tuesday, May 10, 1983
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers, Muni (bipal Building
Northampton, Mass.
NOTICE!
SINCE OUR LAST MEETING WAS ADJOURNED FOR LACK OF ATTENDANCE, THIS IS A VERY
IMPORTANT MEETING. IF YOU CAN NOT ATTEND PLEASE NOTIFY DOROTHY CHAPIN AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE.
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4. Historic Plaques - Vanasse ffnn n , S
5. VMenbership
Agenda .
1. Preservation Week Observance,��
ro Project
Y wards
2. Bridge Street Cemetery Project - Chapin
3. Grove Hill Mansion - Clark
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CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MEMORIAL HALL 240 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Minutes
Northampton Historical Commission
May 10, 1983
Present: CYm pin, Clark, Geller, K�telev Lewis, L�,ncoln, T�?ac in, Rowe Stevens
Absent: Eliot, Vanasse
Ex officio: Tomasik, Wiegel, Barbero
1. Outline of her presentation by Miss Barbero of a design for recognition of
the old Northampton Canal.
2. Preservation Week:
Date: June 6 -10, Presentation: June 9, 7:30 P.M.
Placer NIS, Smith Vocational School, Hotel Northampton( ?)
Awards: Sites on Prospect, State, South, Franklin, ''pleasant Street and
Edwards Scpare were , �ropo ed; the Serio restoration and Tepper
renovation.
3. Cemetery Project: Ralph Levy will photgraph the tomb stones. The Cormmission
will .supply film and prints and pay Mr. Levy $100.
4. Meetings: Colors from the Past, Holyoke Community College, Saturday, May 14th
at 9:30 A.M.
Association of Gravestone Studies, Worcester, June 24 -26..
Commission will ;may bus fare and entrance fee.
5. yankee Magazine twelve week internship for $1,000. matching fund.
6. The Commission voted to support the erection of siigns for the Calvin Coolidge
Celebration, August 1-7, requested b,y the Chamber of Ccamerce, with a pro-
vision that the ,signs be removed during the week of August 8th.
7. National Register protection for the Beeches and the DAR house was discussed
without conclusion. Registration must be initiated by the owners.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor T. Lincoln
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
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�1 OFFICIAL MEETING NOTICE )�
DATE: May 17, 1983 f„n VA
TIME: 4 :15 P.M.
PLACE Handicapped Access Room, Municipal Office Building, Northampton, MA.
This is a special meeting to complete plans for the observation of Preservation
Week.
.ge
Prese ation Week
1. Place for Miss Barbero's presentation - Clark
4 2. Invitations to presentation
/ \ I Awards (check the suggested sites)
e/4. Mayor's Proclamation
5. Northampton television
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NORTHAMPTON HISTO_RIICAL, COMMISSION
MEMORIAL HALL 240 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
CITY HALL
Minutes
Northampton Historical Camission
May 17, 1983
Present: Chapin, Clark, Kiteley, Lincoln, Stephens, Tremblay, Vannasse
Ex Officio: Weigel
1. The progran for Preservation week canpleted as follows:
a. Miss Barbero will make a presentaticin
b. Awards will be presented in the Link Court, June 9th at 4 :30 to:
(1) Mr. Robert W. Hortcn. and Ms. Diane Knock
169 Prospect Street
(2) Mr.
Eugene Sheehan "
11 Edwards Square
(3) Mr.
William Breitbart
Ms.
Myrna Margulies
203
State St.
(4) Smith College
Alumna Gymnasium
(5) Mr. Thanas Dyer
119 Prospect Street
(6) Mr. Joseph Whelan
134 State St.
(7) Mr. Christian Carpe
152 South St.
(8) Mr. Joseph Blumenthall & Mr. Alan Sche
Tepper Building
Northampton television will run the tapes prepared by Elaine U1man.
and Gene Bunnell.
2. Jean Kiteley reported the Northampton High School program at which she
spore on Historic Northampton.
3. The bronze statues in Nc thampton will be listed by Tremblay.
- - - - -- - - -- Respectfully - -suh nitted_ - - -- -
- — ------- - - - - -- Eleanor –T.– Lincoln --
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL. COMMISSION
'O CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
CITY HALL
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Northmpton Historical Crnmission
Off icial Meeting Notice
Date: June 14, 1983
Time: 4 :15 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers, Municipal Building
Northampton, Mass.
tat l0 -W 0- Ak I 15
Agenda
1. Report from the Design Review Ccnmittee - Eliot
2. A review of the design for the bus sba.tion building: historical impact
V3. Coolidge Celebration
J 4. Northampton's bronze statues - Tranblay
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL_ COMMISSION
CITY HALL
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Minutes
Northampton Historical Commission
June 14, 1983
Present: Chapin, Eliot, Gage, Geller, Lewis, Lincoln, Stephens, and
Vanasse
Ex Office: Bunnell, Tomasik and Weigel
1. Presentation for the DAR by Mrs. Brandt. Members of the Commission
were invited to visit the DAR house on Tuesday, June 21st at 4 :15
and from 7 -8 PM. The DAR is initiating steps to register the house
i on South Street. They will consult inventories. Miss Tomasik will
consult.
2. Report on the Design Review Committee meeting on the bus station
building. The Committee returned the plans for redesign of the
fenestration. -- Eliot.
3. For the Planning Board, Mr. Bunnell presented plans for the Round
House Property. The City Property Committee and the.; Historical
Commission must both approve these plans. Approval was postpone
for further resolution of provisions for parking and design of a
new office building. The Commission voted to withhold approval
of a part of the plan pending a design r the whole area, in
spite of exigencies presented by water damage to the old buildings.
Respectfully submitted
Eleanor Lincoln
NOIZT'I- iA1VII'TON HIS"I'OR.ICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
CITY HALL
Northampton Historical Commission
Offical Meeting Notice
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 1983
Time: 4 :15 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers, Municiple Building
Northampton, Mass.
It is very necessary that we have a quorum for this meeting.
If you cannot be present please call Dorothy Chapin as soon
as possible.
Agenda
1. Final review of the design for the Round Building property.
NORT'HAMPT'ON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
� I'I
CITY HALL
Minutes
Ncrthamptcn Historical Canmission
July 12, 1983
Present: Chapin, Eliot, Gage, Geller, Isseman, Kiteley, Lincoln, Stephens,
Tremblay, Vanasse.
Ex- officio: Bunnell, Tonasik
1. For the DAR project Miss Tanasik proposed a district nomination including
six houses in the�trea'and national registration. The'Co mission will meet
with the owners to facilitate the application.
2. Curran . Associates representing Dwyer -and Gompers presented revised proposals
f or buildings in the' round :building area;.
See deed restrictions filed with these binutes'..
3. The Camission will not meet in:August.
Respectfully :.suhni:ttea
Eleanor' T thicolxi
CITY HALL
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OFFICIAL MEETING NOTICE
DESIGN REVIEW CORAI=
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
DATE Tuesday, September 13, 1983
TIME: 4:15 p.m.
PLACE: Council Chambers, Municipal Building,
Northampton, Mass.
AGENDA
1. This is a joint meeting with the Design Review Committee to ass
plans for the Old Post Office Building cn Pleasant Street.
J 2. General Discussion of Impact of Proposed New Building Adjacent to
Historic Roundhouse Property and Fronting on Main Street.
a 3. Report on Initiatives of Downtown. Design Study and Inventory of Key
j - Prerties Downtown and in South Street area. - Gene Bunnell
4. op Review of Membership of Historical Camission and Design Review Cco ittee.
5. j Discussi cn of Ways to Observe 100th Birthday of City of Northampton.
6. Other Business. `
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NORTHAMPTON ON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
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CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Minutes
Northampton Historical Camnissicn
September 13, 1983
Present: Chapin, Stephens, Clark, Eliot, Kiteley, Lewis, Gage,
Tremblay, Rcwe and Isserman.
Maycr" s Office: Burick, Bunnell.
Design Review
Canmittee: Thorne, Mendelson, Eliot, Tibbett, Searing, Cooley, Gdhisza,
Fogel, Pesuit and Andrikiais
Guest: Weigel, Dwyer, Rex.
1. icon Weigel, a private consultant spoke and presented plans for the
proposed renovation and re-use of the former Post- Office on Pleasant
Street.
2. Gene Bunnell led a discussion on the prc7pased construction Cf the five
story building.next to the Roundhouse. 'Motion by Peter' Rowe, .seconded'
by Alexander Eliot and approved by 15 members of the canbined'Historical
Ccm nission and Design Review Carunittee present 9/13/83 '(non opposed) :
"With reference to the proposal for new construction on the Rom Bhouse
property, the members cf the Historical Cantnission and Design Review Com-
mittee recce mend that in view of the magnitude of the project and the
many unanswered' questions it raises regarding the impact on the welfare
of the City cf Northampton, that the Property Canmittee' not approve the
proposal project at .this time'."
3.* The re-appointment of Eleanor Lewis as a voting mexber of the Historical
Ca - hission and the reinstatement cf Gordon Clark f Cyr another 3 year term.
4 Next meeting of the Ccnmission is to be held September 27, 1983 'at 4*00
p.m. in the' Council Chambers.
.Respectfully : sul7iitted,
Lena M. Stephens
(ITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
OF FICIAL MEETING NOTICE
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICIAL COMMISSION
DkTE: Tuesday, September 27, 1983
TIME: 4 :00 p.m.
PLACE: Council Chambers, Municipal Building,
Northampton, Mass.
AGENDA
1.
Gordon Clark -Ideas re- deposition of Union Street jail.
J 2. Alex Eliot- "The Beeches". ��► /I �'
�3. Paul Garvey -House on South Street-Smith Vocational students.
V 4. Report on Initiatives of Downtown Design Study and Inventory
on Key Fro erties Downtown and in South Street area. -G ne
Bunnell. ��-'.�,� �2.e,.�- ,�-�-.� - e .. e � n� � C
5. Discussion of .Jays to Observe 100th Birthday of City of
Northampton.' -;
6. Other Business.
Lrw
CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTO.RICA.L COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Minutes
N crthanptcn Historical Crninissicn
Septenber 27, 1983'
Present: Chapin, C21ark, Gage, Geller, Kteley, Lewis, Lincoln, Rowe, Stephens,
Tremblay. .
D<-officio: Bunnell.
Guest: Paul Garvey, Smith School.
1. Mr. Garvey outlined a prcpcsa.l for restoraticn .of the. hawse at 237 South
Street by Smith School students,. He asked fcr help in resolving the cwmer-
ship of the building. The Commission and the Planning Board will urge the
Mayor to expedite a settlement and turn the building aver to the school.
2. The question of records stied in the Unicm Street jail which may be of
historical interest was raised again by 'Peter Rog.,. He will consult his -
tcrians at the University of Massachusetts.
3. Clark, Lincoln and .Rowe will prepare an application for National Registry
cE the Unim Street jail.
4. The Beeches: The chair read a letter fran Alexander Eliot concerning a
permit fcr Bed and Breakfast operatics at the Beeches. The Ccmmissicn
reserved action pending resolution of this permit which is in court.
5. Gene Bunnell presented a series of proposals* fcr revising and updating
the city zoning crdinances height limitations, parking relative to
building capacity, new sign regulations, new design review procedure.
He proposed a study of means for protecting and preserving areas of
historic interest, and fcr zoning regulations to protect the quality and
character of the city. The Commission offered unanimeas support for these
very essential revisions.
Respectfully submitted,
Eleanor T. Lincoln
* See notes filed with these minutes.
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
CITY HALL
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
Date: Tuesday, Novanber 1 1.983
Time- 4 :15 p.m.
Place: Ca -incil Chanbers, Municipal Building
Northampton, Mass.
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C
42.
3.
4.
• -,
Clark - Report on re-use aE the Union Street Jail
die - Report cn Criminal records of historic interest in the jail
and National Register application fcr the building.
Lincoln - Resolution cf tax lien on 237 South Street.
Celebration of the 100th Birthday of the City cE Northampton,
November 18, 1983, Northampton Institution for Savings,
7:30 p.m.
S
Yfin� � s
CITY HALL
_NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Minutes
Northampton Historical Commission
November 1, 1983
Present: Chapin, Clark, Clausing, Eliot, Gage, Geller, Isserman, Kiteley,
Lewis, Lincoln, Stephens, Tremblay
1. Eleanor Lewis has been in touch with the State Archivist who showed great
interest in the old records now deposited in the jail on Union Street.
Sheriff Boyle has offered them to the Northampton Historical Society. Mrs.
Wilbur will consult with Forbes Library Concerning a proper repository. The
papers should be assessed and indexed if a suitable space can be found.
2. Gordon Clark reported few responses to the request for proposed use of the
jail building on Union Street. Disposition of the building must be cleared
through the state, the county, and the city before it is available'.—to the
_ public.
3. The Mayor has instructed the City Attorney to clear the .title to 237 South
Street. The City Property Committee has been informed of the Smith Vocational
School project for renovation-
4. The centennial of the Northampton City charter will be celebrated, by the
Historical Society and the Arts Council'on November 18th. Peter Rowe of the
Historical Commission will be the speaker.
5. The Chair reported a request from the City that the Commission administer the
Walking Tours. Mrs. Stephens reported many difficulties with guides during the
summer and small demand for the tours. The Ccnm.ission favors guidance by cassette
tape. Ralph Gage will explore this possibility. Printed f olders are now available.
6. The Zoning Board will consider the question of Bed and Breakfast at the Beeches
on November 10. Since new legislation on this question is being prepared by the
Planning Board, the decision will be made in termsr -'of the whole city.
7. Next meeting: Tuesday, December 6, 1983.
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
OFFICIAL MEETING NOTICE
DATE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1983
TIME: 4:15 P.M.
PLACE: COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MUNICIPAL BUILDING
NORTHAMPTON, MASS.
AGENDA
V 1. ✓ ( Lewis - Criminal records 'in the Union Street Jail 0� S�A�
2. Clark - Disposition of the Union Street Jail
tit 3. Lincoln - Crenellations on City Hall towers v
4. / Kiteley - The Historical Commission Mandate
�r5. Gage - The Walking Tour - cassettes
, V6. Membership of the Commission
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CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Minutes
Northampton Historical Commission
December 6, 1983
Present: Chapin, Clausing,.Eliot, Gage, Geller, Isserman, Lincoln, Rowe
Exofficio: Tomasik
1. Peter Rowe has completed the research material for an application for National
Register of the DAR district. These six houses should probably be incorporated
in a South Street District nomination. Ann..T.omas k believes owner response will
be positive. She urges new initiatives on both South and Elm Street.
2. The items in the Union Street jail have been listed in categories. This is in
no sense an index. We will continue to hope for scholarly interest-- in some or
all of the records.
3. Peter Rowe will ask Helen Searing to write the architectural description for
the Union Street jail building. Gene Bunnell will supply photographs and
maps for the nomination.
4. Ralph Gage reported that Cable Television will supply cassette gl4l.des narrated
by Mosher for the walking tour.
5. Ann Tomasik suggested that a high school student might be nominated for member-
ship on the Commission. The Commission accepted with regret the resignation of
David Vanasse.