139-141 South Street
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
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
38B-032 Easthampton NTH.2186
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 139-141 South Street
Historic Name: South Street School
Uses: Present: Community / Educational Center
Original: School
Date of Construction: 1888-1890
Source: Registry of Deeds
Style/Form: High Victorian Gothic
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: Brick
Wall/Trim: Brick
Roof: Brick
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Condition: Good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 1.15 acres
Setting: School sits far back from the street in a residential
neighborhood of former single family homes that have been
converted to buildings with two or more residential units.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [139-141 SOUTH STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.2186
_X__ 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 former brick school was completed in 1891 in the High Victorian Gothic style. It is two-and-a-half stories tall with a hipped
roof and bracketed central gabled pavilion. There are two entrances, one on either side of the central gabled pavilion. These
have porches with shed roofs supported by turned columns and arched openings with quatrefoil cut outs. The central pavilion
features a five part band of windows, each with a six over six sash, on both the first and second stories. The gable field of the
pavilion has a three-part band of four over four sash windows over which is a lintel incised with a trefoil above each window.
Characteristic of the High Victorian Gothic style, polychromatic brickwork is used . Brownstone is used for a water table. Sting
courses connecting the lintels of the windows on the first and second floor use red and yellow brick, while the string courses
connecting the window sills are projecting double rows of red brick. Window sash on the school is six over six. The southern
elevation of the school has parapeted entrance at the ground floor level.
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.
According to Form B of 1980: “This large brick school replaced two smaller schools that were located on South Street at the
corner of School Street.”
Completed in 1891, this building served as one of Northampton's primary elementary schools until closing its doors in 1990.
After launching a capital campaign that raised more than $600,000 for the building's restoration, the Northampton Community
Music Center moved into this building in 1998. The NCMC was presented with a Historic Preservation Award from the
Northampton Historical Commission.
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. 420-P. 489