79-95 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
31B-201 Easthampton NTH.674
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village) Northampton Center
Address: 79-95 Elm Street
Historic Name: Cutter and Ziskind Houses
Uses: Present: Smith College Dormitory
Original: Smith College Dormitory
Date of Construction: 1956-1957
Source: Smith College Archives
Style/Form: International Style
Architect/Builder: Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill
Exterior Material:
Foundation: concrete
Wall/Trim: concrete, brick
Roof: built up roofing
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 2.69 acres
Setting: Dormitory occupies a large lot that extends
across the block between Prospect Street and Henshaw
Avenue and is part of the Smith College campus.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [79-95 ELM STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.674
___ 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 three-story dormitory is composed of two identical, flat-roofed blocks connected by an encircling wall that laces through
their open first stories. The blocks are Cutter House and Ziskind House constructed in the International Style. Each block has
two stories that rest on white concrete piers at the first floor level. Behind the piers and set back from their surface are the
HVAC equipment and several enclosed rooms. The blocks are three bays wide and 9 bays deep. Second and third stories
have glazed bays separated by white concrete and on the street elevations a center glazed bay is flanked by two brick-enclosed
bays within the framework of the white concrete structure. The glazed bays consist of an aluminum frame with two fixed light
windows above a row of six hoppers, below which are four opaque glass panels. The geometry of the two blocks is based on a
single rectangular module that serves for an enclosed and open bay. Entry to the dormitories is on the west elevation and is a
recessed glazed bay. There is no ornament but the white geometry of the blocks, the transparent glass and blank brick bays.
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 1977: “Cutter House was completed in 1957, along with its adjacent twin, Ziskind House. These two
dormitories were the first examples of modern architecture in the International Style to be built on the Smith Campus. Cutter
House is named for distinguished author Elizabeth Reeve Cutter Morrow (Mrs. Dwight Whitney Morrow) B.L. 1896, L.H.D. 1937
Smith; L.H.D. 1933 Amherst, L.L.D. 1935 New Jersey College for Women, Litt. D. 1940 Princeton, L.L.D. 1940 Lafayette, L.H.D.
1940 New York University, and Dr. the More Humane Lettters 1942 Colby College. In addition, Mrs. Morrow served as
President of the Smith Alumnae Association 1917-1920, Trustee 1926-36, 37-47, 47-50; Chairman of the Board of Trustees
1948-50; and Acting President 1939-1940.”
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.