12-14 School 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: Jayne Bernhard-Armington
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): June, 2010
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
31D-201 Easthampton NTH.2002
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 12-14 School Street
Historic Name: William Phillips House
Uses: Present: Two unit residence
Original: Two unit residence
Date of Construction: 1860-1873
Source: Map and Atlas
Style/Form: Utilitarian
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: Brick
Wall/Trim: Vinyl
Roof: Asphalt
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Vinyl siding post 1980
Condition: Good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.12 acres
Setting: House sits extremely close to the street.
Neighborhood comprised of single family and two family
homes. Minimal shrubbery lines the house.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [12-14 SCHOOL STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.2002
___ 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 is a two-and-a-half story with side gable roof. It is five bays wide and two bays deep. Most of the homes original
architectural features have been removed and replaced with vinyl, and for this reason, it is difficult to discern its original style.
Compounding this problem is the addition of decorative features to the home that are not historic to the home’s era of
construction. Examples include the fish scale shingles in the gable field and shed roof double entryway that is supported by
braces with turned posts. The replacement windows have one over one sash; however, there is a four over four sash window
above the double entryway on the second floor, and two over two sash window in each of the gable fields. Some of the windows
feature vinyl pediments. The house also features a vinyl dentil row. Both eastern and western elevations of the home feature
two-story wings that are approximately two bays wide and one bay deep. Each wing has a secondary entrance. The house has
two brick chimneys along the ridge of the roof.
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 double house was probably built during the 8160s. The 1873 map definitely shows the house,
and at this time it was owned by William Phillips, a basket maker. The 1860 map is more vague and shows School Street as a
winding path leading from the two schools on South Street to the mills on the river. A number of buildings, probably boarding
houses or tenements are in this area.”
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.
Northampton Directory: 1868-69, 1873-74, 1885-86.