31A-069 206 Elm Historic Permit narrativeSignificance/History of Aaron Breck House
From National Register Nomination Form B of 1976: “In 1819, Aaron Breck bought three parcels of land from Increase Clark, including a two acre parcel which was half of Clark’s homestead
on the road ‘leading from Northampton to Chesterfield” (now known as Elm Street). Mr. Breck probably had this house constructed soon thereafter and used it for his homestead. In 1856,
he sold his homestead to his son and moved to King Street. The son built 196 Elm Street for his own residence and probably leased the old homestead. About 1890, the property was bought
by Charles Crouch, Northampton’s most prolific builder, and Kensington Avenue was opened between the two houses.”
Dylan Gaffney, a member of the Northampton Historic Commission has researched the property and feels it likely that the 1820 date is perhaps incorrect. In an email he wrote: “Form B
actually states the construction date as c.1800 not 1820. I think they are basing the construction date solely on evidence of a land sale in 1819. Eunice Breck, older sister of Aaron
married Increase Clark, the property owner in 1803. The Clark family, probably built it before the 1819 land sale, when it was sold to her younger brother. Eunice's father had left
the family, leaving his wife (also named Eunice) with many children to care for, and the daughter was married off to the older Clark at just 12 years old it appears. There were two
other 18th century Clark family homes on the same stretch of Elm.”
Description of House
NR Nomination Description of 1976: “This is a two-and-a-half story Federal style house that is five bays wide and two bays deep and sits on low stone foundations. Typical of many Federal
houses it has two interior chimneys rather than a center chimney although they are much smaller than would have been originally, so represent a shift to furnace heating rather than
fireplaces. The house has a two-and-a-half story ell on the south that has a 20th c. stacked porch on its east elevation. The center entry to the house on the north façade consists
of a trabeated surround of pilasters supporting an entablature and to this surround has been added a portico on braces, dating from the 1890s-1900. Sash in the windows, which would
originally have been 6/6, is now 2/2.”
While this description is correct, interior architectural evidence suggests that the front section of the house (north facing) actually dates from c. 1750 as the construction features
are more common to this earlier date. A large chimney mass in the basement indicates that originally a large center chimney was in place and that the entrance to the house was likely
shifted as the existing basement chimney mass is underneath what is now the central hall/front entrance. Additionally, the attic mortice and tenon joinery, the use of a simple lap joint
to secure the common rafters (rather than a ridge beam) and the rough hand-hewn posts and joists are more consistent with mid-18th century construction.
The 1820 date is perhaps owing to the record of the land transfer in 1819, but it also seems likely that the original house was expanded around this date. An analysis of the joinery
and nails used in the construction of what is now the first-floor dining room, shows a consistency with c. 1820 construction methods and types.
The nails in the front part of the house, most prominently in the attic, are hand-wrought, roseheads, The nails in the dining room section are Type A cut nails with burrs on the diagonally
opposite edges. In the attic, however, there is a mix of Type A and B nails (both burrs on the
same side) in the section before the cross gable. Perhaps the Type A nails were reused, or perhaps additional modification took place between the mid-18th century and the 1820s.
As with most old houses, there is evidence of modifications over time. While the small front section of the house can be dated earlier, the section of the house marked on the exterior
by the cross gable is of newer construction (c. 1875). Recycled materials were used in part to construct this section making it somewhat difficult to categorize definitively but the
nail evidence and joinery methods point to construction c. 1875. It was likely that at this time the chimneys were modified and the central hall created. The trabeated surround of
pilasters supporting the entablature likely dates from this era. The south and west porches were also built around this time. There were further modifications in the early 20th Century
including the east porch and the front entrance portico on braces. With the exception of the six-over-six c.1800 attic window, all other two-over-two windows date from c.1950.
Exterior Work
Roof: The roof was in dire need of replacement as was the drip edge and sheathing. New historically appropriate in color architectural shingles were installed, as were new sheathing,
flashing and drip edge. The soffits and fascia boards are in reasonably good condition. Repairs will be made where necessary.
Asbestos Siding: The exterior asbestos siding over clapboards has been removed by a certified environmental abatement contractor.
Clapboards: The exterior square-edge clapboards, dating from c. 1875, wherever possible will be repaired and saved. Salvaged clapboards of the same dimensions will be utilized as replacements
where larger sections have been compromised. Cracks and holes will be filled with semirigid epoxy patching compound applied in layers. The water table will need to be replaced. The
corner boards appear to be in good condition. They will be sanded and repainted.
Porches: The west and south side porches are in need of repair. The ceilings are in reasonably good condition, though some repair is necessary. The south side porch, in particular, is
sagging severely and will need reinforcement and likely some new decking. The bulkhead opening that forms part of this deck will also need to be replaced. The painted plank ceiling
is in reasonably good condition. The entrance doors from the east and south porches to the interior will need to be replaced. Wooden doors, in keeping with the historic house, will
be installed. (See accompanying photo.) The west side porch is also sagging but not as severely as that on the south side. The painted beadboard ceiling is in good condition. The two
story porch on the east side is in good condition. It appears to be of somewhat later construction that the two other porches. It was likely built c. 1920 judging from the rounded columns
and architectural style of glass-covered openings.
Windows: As Form B notes, the current windows, instead of being six-over-six, which would have been historically accurate, are instead two-over-two double hung windows installed in the
1950s. The present windows are poor quality replacements, many of them nailed to the casement due to extreme slack at the sash. We intend to rectify this situation by installing custom-made
Marvin wooden six-over-six windows. These are Low E2 with argon insulating glass, CE certified, with a DP40 performance rating. These will
significantly restore the historical look of the house while also offering far more energy efficiency. The two original (c.1820) six-over-six windows in the attic will be retained. Interior
storms will be installed to aid in energy efficiency.
Window Frames: The window frames (c. 1875) will need repair. The pediments over the windows and the sills were cut flush with the vertical trim boards to accommodate the asbestos siding.
These will need to be repaired.
Painting: The entire house will be painted.
Fence: The picket fence is also not in keeping with the style nor period of the house. We intend to install a colonial closed gap fence with a cap. (See photo of proposed fence.)