8 Cosmian Avenue
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FORM B − BUILDING
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Photograph
Topographic or Assessor's Map
Recorded by: Bonnie Parsons
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): March, 2010
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
17C-275 Easthampton NTH.132
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 8 Cosmian Avenue
Historic Name: Luther Jenkins House
Uses: Present: Single-family residence
Original: Single-family residence
Date of Construction: 1884-1888
Source: Atlas and Directory
Style/Form: Queen Anne
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: brick
Wall/Trim: vinyl
Roof: asphalt shingles
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Windows replaced and vinyl siding added, ca. 2000.
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.234 acre
Setting: This is an east-facing house, the only
house on a short street.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [8 COSMIAN AVENUE]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.132
___ 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.
The Luther Jenkins House is a modest house that was typical of the Queen Anne style houses built in Florence at the end of the
19th century for craftsmen, workers and other laborers. It is two-and-a-half stories in height under a front-gable roof. It is three
bays wide, has a full-width porch across its east façade and a rear ell for a long, rectangular plan. The house is vinyl sided and
has replacement windows so has lost much of its character, but it does have its form.
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: “Cosmian Avenue was laid out as a connector between Lilly Street and North Main Street in Florence
during the mid 1880’s. The street received its name from Cosmian Hall, the building of the Free Congregational Society in
Florence, which was located at the junction of Meadow and North Main Streets. This is the only house that was ever built on the
short street. The first known owner and occupant was Luther Jenkins, a boot and shoe repairer.”
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.