197 Elm Street
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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
31A-39 Easthampton NTH.468
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 197 Elm Street
Historic Name: Ebenezar Clark House
Uses: Present: Single-family residence
Original: Single-family residence
Date of Construction: ca. 1730-1780
Source: biographical material on Ebenezar Clark at Forbes
Library. Style/Form: Georgian/Federal
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: brick
Wall/Trim: clapboards
Roof: asphalt shingles
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Garage
Major Alterations (with dates):
Chimney removed; chimney added; foundations replaced?
Ca. 1850-1950
Condition: good
Moved: no | | yes | ? | Date unknown
Acreage: 0.373 acres
Setting: House occupies a large lot in a residential section
of Northampton.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [197 ELM STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.468
___ 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.
Only a structural evaluation and/or dendrochronology of this two-and-a-half story house’s structural members could verify the
1730 date attributed to it. That date would make it a First Period style house, a structure that characteristically would have a
steeply pitched roof, center clustered chimney, low stone foundations and jetties or gable end overhangs. None of these
characteristics is present. The house has a side-gable roof and a 20th century end wall chimney, moderately high brick
foundations and the regular fenestration that was in use after 1750 and onward. The house is five bays wide and three bays
deep and narrow windows set close to the eaves that were often found between 1750 and 1776 in the region. Sash is 6/6, a
configuration that appeared after 1776. The center door surround has a dummy fanlight over ¾ length sidelights and a paneled
door, both Federal features that were post-Revolutionary in date. Clearly, the house had been altered over time and its brick
foundations may indicate that it was moved to this location in the 19th century. Its present appearance could be more accurately
described as Federal.
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: “This house was built in 1730 by Ebenezar Clark. The old church and town records were kept here for
many years. Mr. Jared Clark, a deacon of the First Church and one of the first members of Edwards Church, lived here for
eighty-five years. Later it was owned and occupied by Prof. Hankins and his family.”
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.