Conz Street 32.pdf
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form. FORM B − BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220MORRISSEY BOULEVARD BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Photograph Topographic or Assessor's Map Recorded by: Jayne Bernhard-Armington Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Date
(month /year): June, 2010 Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number 32C-100 Easthampton NTH.2140 Town: Northampton Place: (neighborhood or village) Address: 32 Conz Street Historic
Name: Round House Uses: Present: Three-family residence Original: Single family residence Date of Construction: 1829 Source: The Northampton Book Style/Form: Greek Revival /Octagon Architect/Builder:
Seth Strong Exterior Material: Foundation: unknown Wall/Trim: stucco Roof: asphalt Outbuildings/Secondary Structures: Major Alterations (with dates): Portico added after 1910 Condition:
Good Moved: no | | yes | | Date Acreage: 0.645 acres Setting: House sits close to the busy Conz Street—a major local and regional thoroughfare. House sits on a deep lot. Lot has a few
trees and shrubs. House among former single family homes that have been converted into multi unit housing or for commercial use.
INVENTORY FORMB CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [32 CONZ STREET] MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Continuation
sheet 1 NTH.2140 ___ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form. Use as much
space as necessary to complete the following entries, allowing text to flow onto additional continuation sheets. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: Describe architectural features. Evaluate
the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community. This two-story octagonal shaped home is a rare building form not only for Northampton but also
for the nation. According to Virginia and Lee McAlester’s seminal Field Guide to American Homes (1984), a few thousand of these homes were originally built in Massachusetts, New York
and the Midwest and only a few hundred survive today. That said, additional research should be conducted to to determine the date of this house as the Octogonal style did not become
popular until the 1850s. Form B from 1970 states that the house was built in 1829. The house is clad in stucco and topped by a conical roof that is presently comprised of asphalt. The
house is Greek Revival in style due to its front entry door and windows. The front entry door has a transom, half-length sidelights, and paneled door. Sometime after 1910, a small portico
with arched pedimented roof was added to the front of the house. Windows on the home are small and are six over six sash. To the rear of the home is a one story rectangular ell. The
house has two tall brick chimneys at the ends of the roof. From Form B of 1970: “The interior of the house is divided by a wide hall running from the front approximately 2/3 of the way
towards the rear. There it meets a brick wall that divides the circle into two unequal segments. There are two rooms on each side of the hall in front of this wall. Two rooms are to
the rear of this wall. Each Each of the six rooms has a fireplace on the outside circular wall with a wide chimney at the edge of the conical roof. The roof rises to a point above the
center of the house. The second floor bas the same arrangement as the first floor.” HISTORICAL NARRATIVE Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or
state) history. Include uses of the building, and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community. From Form B of 1970: “A unique residence in Northampton, the Strong House
was built during the late 1820’s. It was ready for occupancy by Nov. 1, 1828 because Seth Strong reserved use of the house next north until that date. Seth Strong built both of these
houses. He was a prominent local mason of the mid 19th century, employing many workers and described as ‘the leading mason brick builder in this town and region.’ He spent one year working
with Captain Isaac Damon in Bangor, and also worked one season in Baltimore. In this area, his major work included US Armory buildings in Springfield, a cotton mill in Florence, and
the old County Courthouse in Northampton. Early in his career, he served one term as a representative in the state legislature.” BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Beers, F. W. County Atlas
of Hampshire Massachusetts, New York, 1873. Hales, John G. Plan of the Town or Northampton in the County of Hampshire, 1831. Miller, D. L. Atlas of the City of Northampton and Town of
Easthampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, 1895. Walker, George H. and Company. Atlas of Northampton City, Massachusetts, Boston, 1884. Walling, Henry F. Map of Hampshire
County, Massachusetts, New York, 1860. Registry of Deeds: Bk. 45-P. 268