140 Main 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
32C-004 Easthampton NTH.2127
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village) Northampton Center
Address: 140 Main Street
Historic Name: Kingsley Building
Uses: Present: Commercial
Original: Commercial
Date of Construction: 1844
Source: National Register Nomination
Style/Form: eclectic
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: not visible
Wall/Trim: brick
Roof: slate
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
New window lintels created, ca. 2005; storefront altered
numerous times.
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.07 acres
Setting: This is a north-facing commercial building
set between two lower-elevation buildings.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [140 Main Street]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.2127
___ 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 Kingsley Building is unique in downtown Northampton as a three-and-a-half story building under a slate-covered mansard
roof. The painted brick building is four bays wide at second and third stories and centered on its roof is a hipped roof dormer
that is two bays wide. The first story of three bays is occupied by two storefronts with an entry to the upper stories in the
easternmost bay. The second and third story windows have 1/1 replacement sash and straight-head lintels in high relief
supported on gargoyles. The lintels with their gargoyle supports are recent additions to the building, ca. 2000. Between the
third story and the roof is a cornice that is stepped and framed by party walls at each side that rise at the angle of the mansard
roof. The building has a three-story addition on its south elevation.
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: “Known locally as the Kingsley Building, portions of this structure were built as early as 1830. The ‘Brick
store three stories high in Shop Row’ is specifically mentioned in the deed from Sarah Hunt to Winthrop Hillyer in 1844.”
The earliest map showing this building on its lot on what was known as Merchants or Shop Row was that of 1873. The 1860
map appears to have a passageway at this point on the block, though buildings came and went and their map spacing is not
always accurate. Charles B. Kingsley who owned this building in 1895 was a druggist with his pharmacy in the building and his
house at 96 Elm Street. He was still there in 1912 and by then had expanded to sell photographic supplies and to operate a
branch of the Post Office in his store.
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.