219-223 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
31D-239 Easthampton NTH.2426
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 219-223 Main Street
Historic Name:
Uses: Present: Commercial, Residential
Original: Commercial
Date of Construction: 1869
Source: Hampshire Gazette
Style/Form: Italianate
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: not visible
Wall/Trim: brick, brownstone
Roof: not visible
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Second floor windows replaced with storefront windows, ca.
1950.
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.02 acres
Setting: This building faces south on
Northampton’s main commercial street.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [219-223 Main Street]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.2426
___ 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 painted brick building, built at or close to the Dickinson Block next door to it at 213-215 Main Street is a larger but once
identical building suggesting design of the two buildings was coordinated to create a more harmonious streetscape. It is three
stories tall and six bays wide with pilasters separating every two bays. Shared decorative features with the adjacent building to
the west are the same pattern of corbelled brick cornice, the same window surrounds at the third story. Here, however, the
second story windows have been replaced with large plate glass windows under added cornice lintels. The first story is devoted
to three commercial storefronts with recessed center entries between storefront display windows. They have all received new
materials and signage. The third story windows are arched and have arched brick lintels and footed, brownstone sills. Sash on
the third floor is 1/1 under an arched transom light, and a replacement vinyl window. Although it has been altered, this building
paired with the Dickinson Block next door represents the standard or moderate Italianate style commercial building of the 1860s
and 70s as it was rendered in masonry.
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 for 213-215 Main Street with which it was coupled: “One of a series of Victorian commercial blocks lining
the north side of Main Street. First known as the Dickinson block, the block was built in 1869 for merchant S.G. Dickinson on
part of the old Lyman estate. The adjoining Rust’s Block was the first of four commercial blocks to be built on the former Lyman
property in 1867.”
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.