History of Historical Commission 1969-1983HISTORIC NORTHAMPTON
46 BRIDGE STREET
NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
< 413 > 584 -6011
April 19, 1990
Chairman
Northampton Historical Commission
c/o Planning Department
City Hall
210 Main St,
Northampton, MA ..01060
Dear Commission Chairman,
Attached please find "A Brief History of the Northampton
Historical Commission: 1969- 1983." This history was compiled by
Ruth Wilbur to accompany several folders of Northampton
Historical Commission ephemera that she and her husband have
donated to the archives of Historic Northampton.
Mrs. Wilbur asked that the Historical Commission be sent a copy
of the history for its files.
Thank you, /.
Sarah Workman
Administrative Assistant
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION: 1969-1983
The following notes are compiled from the personal files of
C. Keith Wilbur, Jr., M.D. and chronicle the beginnings (1969-
1973), the establishment (1973) and some of the activities (1973-
1983) of the Northampton Historical Commission. The files are not
complete so that this brief history may contain omissions and
even a few inaccuracies. However rather than discard the files,
I am giving them to Historic Northampton (formerly Northampton
Historical Society) with the approval of the present Commission
Chairman. The more complete records of the Commission (which
include minutes of Commission meetings and other documents) are
presently housed in a file cabinet in the Planning Office of City
Hall. As time goes on, these may be moved, mislaid or lost, hence
the importance of a back-up source of information. It is
important that Historic Northampton have these early records as
the Society was the factor in gett-ing the-Commission
establish and has al worked closely - With 1�ts members an '
s6pported its "projects and goals.
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Ruth E. Wilbur (Mrs. C.Keith Wilbur)
March 1, 1990
Brief History of the Northampton Historical Commission
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March: Ruth E. Wilbur, as Vice-President of Northampton
Historical Society (a private, non-profit institution), gathered
information from the Massachusetts Historical Commission about
the requirements and procedures as outlined in the General Laws
of the Commonwealth, Chapter 40, Section 8D to establish an
Historical Commission (a public, government agency) for
Northampton.
May: Society members met with Anne R. Wardwell, Director of the
Massachusetts Historical Commission.
Fall: Using Massachusetts Historical Commission forms,
Northampton Historical Society members, under the supervision of
Mrs. MacDonald Peters, Board member, began inventorying and
photographing over thirty historic Northampton buildings.
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February: Society President Mrs. Isabel Holden and Vice-President
Ruth Wilbur appeared before the City Property Committee urging
proper restoration of City Hall pillars. Mrs. Holden bought the
inappropriate new metal balcony on City Hall and privately raised
the money to have it removed and a wooden copy of the original
made and installed.
- Ruth Wilbur sent a letter from the Society to Mayor Sean Dunphy
and City Councilors urging them to establish an Historical
Commission.
March: Members of the Society, Chamber of Commerce and Smith
College Art Department gave a presentation with slides about
properly restoring City Hall and the downtown buildings.
July: Success! City Hall pillars sensi�ivelv,resto.ed.
1/971 �
Spring: At a public - hearing, Society members, Joined by other
concerned citizens, read letters from architectural historians
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' and presented arguments in favor of restoring the Richardsonian-
style County Courthouse on Main Street as opposed to building a
new courthouse in the proposed "golden triangle" on Pleasant
Street. The effort was ultimately successful.
Fall: A list of suggestions for members for a new Northampton
Historical Commission was sent to the Mayor by the Northampton
Council on Art and History (council made up of representatives
from Northampton Historical Society, Forbes Library, Lilly
Library and Smith College Art Museum).
January: A letter was sent from Ruth Wilbur of the Society to
Mayor Sean Dunphy reiterating the need to establish a Commission.
Ongoing: Telephone calls and lobbying continued for a Commission.
1973
February: More information was sent to the Mayor regarding
Historic Commissions.
April 19: City Council finally (on Patriot's Day!) approved an
ordinance establishing an Historical Commission for Northampton.
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October: New Commissioners were appointed by the Mayor and
approved by the Council as follows: Leonard E. Day, Jr., 2 yrs.;
Harvey J. Finison, 1 yr,; Agnes Shea, 3 yrs.; Wilfred D. Spencer,
2 --
3 yrs.; Charles D. Gtark, 2 yrs.; Juliette Tomlinson, 1 yr.; and
C. Keith Wilbur,M.D., 3 yrs. (elected chairman) . Note: A
photograph of these first members was taken and given to each
member.
November: The first official meeting of the Commission was held.
Meetings thereafter were held twice a month.
- Letters were sent from the Commission to principals of schools
offering help to teachers and students working on historical
subjects and projects having to do with Northampton.
December: A chart of goals including the inventorying of
historical sites and buildings, producing markers and plaques,
establishing Historic Districts and sponsoring various historical
and preservation programs was drawn up. Specific ways to
_ implement these goals were listed and priorities discussed. _
1974
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-' January: Keith _Wilbur designed a logo and p�p. e 'and ~envel ones. -for
ss incorporating a drawing of` Northampton City Hall
He also designed a brochure for Northampton Historical Society
including a sampler of f.ifty-one Northampton historic buildings
and places. This brochure was used by both tourists and local
people. �
- The Commission compiled a list of suggested projects for
celebrating the Bicentennial of our country and a three year
(1974-1976) calendar of events.
- With the city, the Commission applied for a Bicentennial Grant
from the state to restore the end of the old Northampton-New
Haven Canal (the so-called "Honey Pot" area of the Connecticut
River, north of Damon Road).
February: Keith Wilbur designed a Bicentennial logo for
Northampton which was accepted by the Commission and the city.
- The Northampton Historical Commission helped the Massachusetts
Historical Commission plan and sponsor a regional preservation
workshop.
Spring: The Commission worked out a sample preservation
restriction agreement for the Roundhouse gas-holder building
(rear of Pulaski Park).
- The Commission fought to save the former cracker factory and
stable located at the rear of Masonic Street parking lot behind
`---' Main Street. They held a public meeting with a slide show about
uses for the buildings. Members thought that the owners, New
England Telephone Co., were sympathetic to this preservation
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project. However, without notice, early the next morning after
the meeting the company demolished the building.
May: The Historical Commission, after research, supported
proposed Pulaski Park improvements.
- It worked with railroad officials to get permission to place a
large stencil design (by Keith Wilbur) of Northampton's first
train (1845) to be painted on the sides of the railroad bridge.
This project did not work out, but, at a later date, the
Commission sponsored a contest for artists to produce murals. The
winning designs were placed on either side of the railroad
bridge. Some murals (one is not the original) remain there today
(March 1990).
June: The group offered an alternative plan to the Redevelopment
Auth ority's project of urban renewal of Pleasant Street.
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They sponsored a public meeting at People's.Institute� showing
. sketches and 'photographs of' some . lzossible downtown improvements
h izi Mad Str + �n�tea� of Pleasant Street
, emp as ng , ee o
- The Commission presented a slide show to City Councilors to
persuade them to support the preservation of the 19th century
appearance of downtown.
- William L. MacDonald was commissioned by the Bicentennial
Committee (of which the Commission was a member) to produce a
book of photographs and descriptions of Northampton's historic
buildings.
September: Harvey Finison, representing the Commission, was
appointed to the Northampton Redevelopment Authority.
- The Commission was responsible for saving the decorative trim
on City Hall and choosing the paint colors for the building's
refurbishing.
- The group worked with the Bicentennial Committee on its parade,
muster and farmer's market.
October: Members met with Massachusetts Historical Commission
officials to determine boundaries for a Northampton Downtown
Historic District.
November: Keith Wilbur designed Award of Merit to give to home
and business owners who have met restoration criteria set by the
Commission.
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~~' December: Commission voted to oppose TOPICS program of
"improving" downtown Northampton as it would destroy much of the
historical character of the area.
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Carol Dubie was paid through CETA funds to assist the Commission.
Smith College interns were also used over the years.
January-June: The Commission worked on and submitted a proposal
to the National Register of Historic Places (through the
Massachusetts Historical Commission who approved it in August of
1975) that downtown Northampton-be accepted as an Historic
District.
- Other possibilities for-Historic Districts were listed and
researched.
February: Members of the Commission attended meetings with the
Smith School Building Committee as they worked on a new facility
for the vocational school.
.March- By t| .is dat over 130 houses and business bl� ' s - ha� been. .�
..completed and sub�itted +ci theMassachu��etts Historical .
Comm iss7ion.
- The Commission helped to work on a proposal to study and print
selected Judd manuscripts as a Hampshire County Bicentennial
project.
- Members met with Northampton Historical Society representatives
and Postmaster John Murphy about the new post office building and
uses for the old.
April: Members researched gas lights, signs and sidewalks
for downtown to make recommendations to the TOPICS Steering
Committee.
- The Commission endorsed planned Academy of Music renovations.
May: On the 14th, the first "Awards of Merit" ceremony was held.
- Discussions were held concerning the future of the King Street
Armory, Union Street House of Correction, Masonic Street Fire
Station, Memorial Hall and gas company Roundhouse.
- Preservation tax incentives were researched.
- The Commission sponsored publication of
Massachusetts Architecture and Buildings by William L. MacDonald.
August-September: 38 more houses and blocks submitted to the
/—` Massachusetts Historical Commission.
August: Work continued on the structure and duties of a Design
Review Board.
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September-1976: The Commission led a successful effort to defeat
a proposal to tear down 211 and 219 Elm Street houses in order to
build a 91 bed addition to Pine Rest Nursing Home.
October: The Commission convinced the owner of the 1755 Noah
Parsons House (corner of Old South and Conz Streets) to erect a
separate building to house a convenience store rather than making
it a part of the old house.
April : Keith Wilbur designed for the Commission a walking tour
brochure to serve as a visual and informational resource for the
Downtown National Historic District.
May: The Commission sponsored walking tours conducted by
knowledgeable persons who described the architecture of downtown
` Northampfon,' -
-Members sponsored the annual 'PreserVati.on Awards Ceremony.
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Spring.- For the city,'the. ommis �on')ws involved in the
Community Block Grant process; reviewed the city's sewer project '
plans; was represented on the Growth Policy Board; and provided
other boards and committees with information on historical
matters.
- Letters from the Commission and the Northampton Historical
Society were sent to post office officials expressing the need to
preserve the mural in the Pleasant Street post office when the
new post office is built on Bridge Street.
Throughout Year: The Commission worked on saving the Smith
College 1890 Alumnae Gym, designed by William Brocklesby, which
the college wanted to tear down for a new library addition. The
effort, spearheaded by concerned Smith alumnae, was successful .
- An application was submitted to the state to approve the
establishment of the Damon-Pratt Historic District. Because the
state kept changing its guidelines, the application was
resubmitted as many as three times over a few years. It was never
approved although all the work had been properly done.
- Bicentennial projects completed successfully: Hampshire County
parade; production of ceramic mugs with Northampton Bicentennial
logo (sold to raise money); concert of Billings music by costumed
performers, a Jonathan Edwards sermon and slides on historical
subjects, etc...; publication of MacDonald's book on Northampton
architecture (sold out and since reprinted) ; litter bags, bumper
~~ stickers, etc ... with logo sold; restoration of Pulaski Park; and
downtown store fronts restored with Block Grant monies.
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- Succeeded in having a preservation restrictions agreement
incorporated into the deed of the gas company Roundhouse. Similar
deed restrictions were proposed for other important buildings.
- The Commission continued to work to save the County Jail, the
Railroad Station, the Armory and the old Post Office.
- More work was done on establishing a Design Review Board or
Committee.
- The Commission researched and publicized saving the Sheehan
building on Pleasant Street and St. Michael's School on State
Street.
May-June: An unsuccessful effort was
HO building in Florence which -
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Florence Bank.
- 1978
Spring: The Commission, with coopera
sponsored for the public a bookshelf
preservation.
made to save the Knights of
ultimately demolished - Eh e
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Lion from Forbes Library,
of books and information on
- They also made a slide show on Northampton's historic buildings
available to any group, club or organization.
- The Commission printed and distributed Carol Menke's Master's
Thesis .
April: Commission member Helen Searing gave an architectural tour
of First Church of Christ Congregational on the 100th Anniversary
of the building.
May: A Commission member was appointed to the City Committee on |
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Signs. i
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- For Preservation Week tours were conducted of the Roundhouse, i
the Academy of Music, First Church and the County Courthouse; a
slide show was presented for the public; displays on preservation �
were set up in store windows; and the annual Awards of Merit
ceremony was held. �
- Northampton was selected as a National Trust winner in the Main
Street Project which emphasized the cooperation of both private
and public sectors in accomplishing major downtown improvements.
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April: Edmond Lonergan was hired as a survey consultant to
complete the inventory forms, to map those structures completed
on the city's base maps, to prepare Historic Districts-For
submission and to set up priority areas to inventory, emphasizing
Northampton State Hospital properties and other endangered
buildings.
May: The Commission held a Preservation Week ceremony and gave
awards.
August: Commission member Gordon Clark worked on a city committee
which produced a report on the re-use of the State Hospital.
Fall: Members worked on researching materials for various
Historic Districts.
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1980
- Membersi continued wor OP D istr icts South Street, State
Street, Round Hill, Elm Street, Bridge Street/ Pomeroy Terrace, .
Bay State and Leeds. '
- The Commission had a say in amending city zoning ordinances on
signage on buildings.
March: The Commission objected to Forbes Library selling a Hadley
Chest (formerly owned locally) without exploring ways to keep it
here. They sought legal advice and joined the efforts of
Northampton Historical Society and others seeking its return.
Spring: The Commission met :ith developers of Hotel Northampton
to help with restoration suggestions.
- The Commission endorsed several facade improvements on
residential buildings within the Downtown Historic District on
Butler Place, Randolph Place and Graves Avenue.
April: The Commission helped with selecting buildings in the
Downtown Historic District to apply for Acquisition and
Development Grant monies from Historical
Commission.
May: Members cooperated on an all-city Arts Festival, conducted a
walking tour for Preservation Week and gave out Awards of Merit.
- The Commission supported the Hestia Art Collective's mural to
be painted on the wall of the telephone company's building on the
Masonic Street parking lot.
Fall: Members voted to save the post office mural by Alfred D.
Crimi who painted it in 1940. The mural was removed in September
by Nicholas Isaak, hired by the Commission to restore it. A
reception for the artist and his wife from New York City was held
on November 16. A fund drive was launched to raise funds with
newspaper publicity, a radio program on the subject and a "Save
the Mural" week. In December, a $1,000 grant was awarded the
project by Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities.
Enough money was raised so that the mural could be restored and
installed in the County Courthouse during the following May's
Preservation Week ceremonies.
October: The Commission, represented by the Chairman or a
designated member, was made part of the newly formed Northampton
Office of Planning and Development.
- The Commission also was represented on the Design Review
Committee set up under Commercial Area Revitalization District
(CARD).- guidelines.
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.November.: The Commission voted to become keepers .`of the telephone
company mural oncMasonir- Street and to help artists repair recent" .
damage. �
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- Keith Wilbur worked on a design for a plaque to be made by
Smith School dating historical buildings.
- The Commission explored ways to preserve County Jail records
(1785-1933) now stored in poor conditions at 50 Union Street.
January 1983: Resignation of Keith Wilbur from the Commission.
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