Williams Street 78.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-276 Easthampton NTH.2167 Town: Northampton Place: (neighborhood or village) Address: 78 Williams Street
Historic Name: Williams Street School Uses: Present: Condominiums Original: School Date of Construction: 1913 Source: Springfield Daily Republican Style/Form: Classical Revival Style
Architect/Builder: Karl Putnam Exterior Material: Foundation: Brick Wall/Trim: Brick Roof: Unknown Outbuildings/Secondary Structures: Major Alterations (with dates): Some windows have
been replaced. Condition: Good Moved: no | x | yes | | Date Acreage: 1.521 Setting: Building within a residential neighborhood of former single family homes that converted into multi-family
housing. A wide open area exists behind the building.
INVENTORY FORMB CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [78WILLIAMS STREET] MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Continuation
sheet 1 NTH.2167 ___ 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 is a two-story former school that was built in 1913. It is a modest example of the Classical
Revival style with a slightly pedimented parapet roof and entries in each of the wings to form a shallow “T” plan. It was designed by prominent local architect Karl Scott Putnam. The
front entries have a double transom and above each entry is a tall triple part window with splayed brick lintels and keystone. Most windows on the building have nine over nine sash with
stone sills. The first story is elevated above ground resulting in a basement level with paired four over four windows with rusticated stone sills and lintels. The watertable is pronounced
with slightly larger brickwork. Above the watertable is a belt course of soldier bricks. Overall, the architect uses varying patterns of brick to give the building visual interest. The
building was remodeled in the 1980s into nine condominium units. 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 1980: “This site had been used for a city school since the late 1870’s. Williams
Street was laid out in two parts during the 1850’s and 1860’s. The part south of Holyoke Street was quickly developed with small, vernacular houses, while the part north of Holyoke Street
was developed later in the 19th century, but also residentially. In 1873, this site was being used for a lumber yard by Moses Breck. It was the only non-residential usage in the area.
However, this quickly changed as the 1884 atlas shows a school on the site. This was the first school for the area, which was developing quickly in response to the industrial development
on lower Hawley Street. The original school was replaced in 1913 by the present brick building.” “Karl Scott Putnam, a prominent local architect and educator of the 20th century, was
the son of Roswell F. Putnam, a well-known local architect of the 19th century. Mr. Putnam received his training at Columbia University and spent three years in the offices of New York
architect Edward Tilton. Around 1910, he returned to Northampton and joined his father’s practice. After his father’s death in 1911, he continued the practice alone. In 1920, he joined
the Smith College Art Department and was in charge of teaching architecture there until his retirement in 1952. Shortly after coming to Smith, he and John Ames of Boston were commissioned
to design a dormitory system. The Quadrangle, built between 1922 and 1936, shows Mr. Putnam’s interest and familiarity with colonial architecture. His residential designs, many of which
are in Northampton, are mainly Colonial in nature, and pay such close attention to accurate detailing, so much that they are often mistaken for 18th century originals. This school would
be one of Mr. Putnam’s early designs.” 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.