134 North 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, 2011
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
25C-6 Easthampton NTH.383
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 134 North Street
Historic Name: Arthur L. and Alice B. Kingsbury House
Uses: Present: Two-family house
Original: Single-family house
Date of Construction: 1887-1895
Source: Registry of Deeds and Atlas
Style/Form: Queen Anne
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: brick
Wall/Trim: clapboards, shingles
Roof: asphalt shingles
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Carriage barn
Major Alterations (with dates):
Condition: good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.761 acres
Setting: This house faces south with a view
across the Bridge Street Cemetery.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON ] [134 NORTH STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.383
___ 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 Kingsbury House is one of the most exuberant Queen Anne style houses in this part of Northampton. It is two-and-a-half
stories in height under a side-gable roof that has a cross-gable on the south and a three-story tower at its southeast corner for a
visually lively elevation. A hipped roof porch crosses the south façade and is supported on heavy turned posts. The posts are
connected at eaves level by connected solid brackets and by railings with square balusters. This version of the Queen Anne
style is termed “Free Classical” for the use of Tudor-derived half-timbering in its gables and for the variety of exterior surfaces
that include here clapboards at the first story and shingles above. The tower under its peaked hipped roof is illuminated by a
large round window with Queen Anne multi-light sash on the south whose frame is ornamented with keystones, and by a lunette
window on the east. A jetty separates first and second stories and on the east elevation is a second lunette stair window
adjacent to a two-story angled bay on a paneled base with a bracket-ornamented roof. There is an unusual through-dormer
chimney on the west elevation. North of the house is a fine carriage barn in good condition.
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 1980: “This large late 18th century residence was built for Arthur Kingsbury, the owner of the Kingsbury Box and
Printing Company on North Street. In 1887, Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury bought this lot from Edward Strong. Mr. Strong was a
farmer and owned a large homestead on North Street. During the 1880’s, he began selling lots along the northern side of the
street for residential development. By 1895, five houses had been constructed, including this one.”
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.
Registry of Deeds: Bk. 414-P. 123