2-8 Crafts 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
31D-157 Easthampton NTH.787
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 2-8 Crafts Avenue
Historic Name: Hampshire Bookstore Building
Uses: Present: commercial, residential
Original: commercial, residential
Date of Construction: 1892
Source: Daily Hampshire Gazette, 8/14/1892
Style/Form: Renaissance Revival
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: brick
Wall/Trim: brick
Roof: not visible
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.076 acre
Setting: Set on the curve of a street that slopes down to
the south, this is one in a row of commercial buildings.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [2-8 CRAFTS AVENUE]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.787
___ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. ON the National Register.
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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 Hampshire Bookstore Building is a three-story commercial block of painted brick that is nine bays wide. To fit the curve of
the street, the building is angled between its fifth and sixth bays. There are three storefronts on the first story separated by an
arched entry to the upper two stories. Above the arch of the entry is an open, pedimented hood on consoles that is painted.
Segmentally arched windows of the upper two stories appear to have brownstone sills that have been painted, so it is likely that
the entry hood and an address panel directly above it inscribed “8 Crafts Avenue” are both in brownstone as well. Window
lintels are splayed brick with corner blocks and keystones and the cornice at the roofline is brick laid in a sawtooth pattern. Two
commercial storefronts occupy the northern half of the building. They each have a side entry with an adjacent glazed storefront
window and the third storefront occupies the southern half of the building. It is a double storefront with a recessed entry
between two glazed storefront bays. This is not the most architecturally high style of Northampton’s commercial blocks, but its
location and angled form make it prominent and integral to the streetscape.
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 1975: “The Hampshire Book Shop, a nationally known bookstore in existence from 1916 to the mid 1960’s, was
for many years located in this late nineteenth century commercial block. The Book Shop, first located in three rooms at the
corner of Elm Street and Bedford Terrace, was a source of literary materials for both Smith College and for the general reading
public. Prominent authors often visited the Book Shop to autograph their works for customers.
In twenty years, the Book Shop had achieved a national reputation. Robert Frost, special guest at the 20th birthday of
the shop, read poetry selections and commented that the Hampshire was one of the best bookstores in the United States. The
shop for many years maintained two locations, the main building on Crafts Avenue and a branch store on Green Street,
convenient to Smith College personnel.”
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.