320 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-85 Easthampton NTH.490
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 320 Elm Street
Historic Name: Allen House
Uses: Present: Four-family residence
Original: Single-family residence
Date of Construction: 1893
Source: Hampshire Gazette, 11/22/1893
Style/Form: Queen Anne
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: brick
Wall/Trim: clapboards, shingles
Roof: asphalt shingles
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Garage
Major Alterations (with dates):
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.255 acres
Setting: This building occupies a corner lot and like many
other residential buildings on Elm Street that have corner
lots, it is designed to take advantage of its exposure.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [320 ELM STREET
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.490
___ 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 Allen House is Queen Anne style at its most elaborate in terms of both complexity of interior volume and of exterior surface.
The core of the house has a hipped roof from which extend cross gables on the north, east, and west as well as a round tower
on the northeast corner that rests on the roof of a wrap-around porch. There is a two-and-a-half story ell on the south. The
porch roof is supported by turned posts on high pedestals with a spindle frieze, solid brackets, and a pedimented entry with
strapwork in its tympanum. The house is clapboard on its first floor, and scallop shingle-sided on its second floor. The east and
west gables have a combination of shingles and half-timbering. An unusual feature is the second story open porch of the north
façade. Fortunately, it has been left unaltered.
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 1976: “The well articulated Queen Anne residence is located at the upper end of Elm Street. Construction of the
residence was almost completed in 1893 when its owner, a Mr. Allen employed with a New York firm, ran out of funds.”
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.