1995 Historical Commission minutesCITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL- COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 1995
Time: 4:15 p.m.
Place: Council on Aging Meeting Room
Memorial Hall, Council on Aging
Northampton, MA
Agenda
1. Minutes of previous meeting.
2. Reports on: Correction in Gazette, First Churches'
restoration problems; Memorial Hall; Downtown
Residents' Forum.
3. Demolition Delay Ordinance /Downtown Historic
District dicussions.
4. Sally Evans will report on Evens - Lockwood talk
with Wayne Feiden re: downtown building survey.
5. Other business.
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
JANUARY g, 1995 - 1:15 p.m.
Present: Allison Lockwood, Chair,.Stanley Elkins, Sally Evans, Tristam
Metcalfe
Not Present: Louise Bloomberg, Elise Bernier - Feeley, Gary Cadette,
Harold Fitzgerald, Rodney Kunath, Patricia Wright
1. Allison Lockwood discussed the new problems that have been identi-
fied in the efforts to preserve the First Church. Judith Selwyn
and Preservation Technology Associates have discovered flaws in
the original stones.
2. The decision to paint Memorial Hall has been delayed.
3. Brett Jacobus has been appointed as new Director of Building and
Grounds. The Commission will make an effort to meet with him in
the near future.
4. At our next meeting, Patricia Wright will discuss the datings of
buildings in downtown Northampton.
Respectfully submitted,
d �
Stanley Elkins, Acting Secretary
} T 11 NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
i ( CITY HALL 210 MAW STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
CITY HALL
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
h'
DATE: Monday, February-6 ,.. -1995
TIME: 4:15 p.m.
PLACE: Council on Aging, Memorial Hall
Northampton
AGENDA
n
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES
February 6, 1995
Present: Louise Bloomberg (LB), Gary Cadette (GC), Stanley Elkins
(SEL) , Sally Evans (SE) , Rodney Kunath (RK) , Tristam Metcalfe (TM) ,
Allison Lockwood (AL), Chair, Patricia Wright (PW)
Absent: Elise Bernier- Feeley, Harold Fitzgerald
1. Future minutes of meetings will be recorded by members of the
Commission. Alphabetical order will be followed; starting with L.
Bloomberg who will record the minutes of the February 6th meeting.
2. January's minutes were accepted after inserting L. Bloomberg's
absence in the report.
3. AL read sections of Patricia Wright's excellent article on the
appearance of the Florence Gas Station
4. AL distributed her Gazette, Jan. 17th, 1 95 article on
Christopher Clarke.
5. Richard Garvey announced a March 21st "full corps" press
meeting. Seven Washington staff people will be in Northampton for
a 1.1/2 hour presentation on Northampton's Main Street First
Church. Kevin .Kennedy will be up here to strategize the pre-
sentation. AL suggested the church dining room as the site for a
planned box lunch. Arnold Burke, editor of "Preservation News" has
helped with fund raising projects.
6. AL reported a telephone conversation with the Ward 2 councilor
concerning problems with Smith College students parking on
residential streets which results in no place for homeowners to put
their cars. Parking permits are under consideration.
7. A Demolition Delay Ordinance will probably be postponed until
the Downtown Future plans are in place.
8. AL reported meeting with Mayor Ford concerning the appointment
of a committee to protect and promote Memorial Hall. The creation
of this committee is imminent.
9. AL received a call from Karen Tatro concerning a DAR grant
proposal. She is interested in the names on parchment hanging in
Memorial Hall.
10. AL met with Brett Jacabus, new building and grounds director,
who has assembled information about Memorial Hall. 'Richard ( Sully)
Sullivan was also present. A more, appropriate home was suggested
for a plaster of Paris bas - relief which now rests in City" Hall
- basement. Its original home might have been the music room in the
old high school. Sully suggested that a cabinet holding old
-� weights.and measures which was found in the basement of another
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city building be relocated in a more secure area.
11. AL received a telephone call from Richard Holmes, Project
Archeologist and Historian in the UMass Environmental Institute.
Mr. Holmes wished to alert the Commission to future archeological
digs his group will undertake. He indicated that he might address
the Commission at a later date.
12. AL has received several calls about the future of the Calvin
Theater from concerned citizens. There are problems with back
taxes as well as an old oil tank in its basement. Its future is
unsure, but as Bob Fry indicated in a Feb. 4th letter to the
Gazette, we should be vigilant in protecting this building. SE
reported that John Morrison states that it is not a viable solution
to use the Calvin as a single screen theater. Perhaps it can be
converted to a two screen movie house. Many people are interested
in the reuse of the Calvin.
13. AL has studied the latest draft of the Downtown Northampton
plan. Meetings to discuss the plan will be held on Feb-9th, 23rd,
and March 9th. They are held in Council Chambers from 6:45 - 8.
It would be helpful if Commission members attend, especially the
Feb. 23rd meeting.
14. Rumors abound concerning interest on the part of a fast food
chain to establish a business on Main Street. Since Main Street is
zoned for commercial ventures, a fast food restaurant is perfectly
lawful. TM pointed out that an Historic District can control what
the facade looks like. Thus it is important to establish one
quickly.
15. Many downtown residents are unhappy with the light emanating
from SIS Bank Sign. The sign detracts from the 19th century
facade. Journalist John Riley through a telephone survey concluded
that a large number of people find the sign unsuitable. SIS
executives do not agree.
16. AL, after mentioning that Heritage Bank has flood lights to
illuminate it at night, questioned the Commission concerning flood
lighting City Hall. It will cost $580 to install lights and $250
annually to operate them. TM indicated that downtown residents
would not be negatively affected by them. They would be installed
on two sides of the building and create a positive lighting
environment. SEL said that these lights would provide for more
safety on the street.. TM.'encourages "selective careful lighting.
Use energy in one of the best ways ". AL pointed out that two
street lights in front of Memorial Hall were part of the
architect's original design and light it perfectly. The question
remains: should the Historical Commission raise the money needed
for. this project. RK asked if the money would be coming in
\ l perpetuity and if so, from whom? SE thought that only installation
J costs of $580 would have to be raised. AL pointed out that our
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-� streetscape encourages visitors and customers to downtown. SEL
moved: to direct an inquiry to the Mayor about the installation of
two floodlights outside of City'Hall. It passed with 7 ayes and 1
abstention.
17. AL paid for new stationary which includes carefully designated
crenelations on the City Hall towers.
18. The list of nominees awards:
1. Smith College Admissions Building
2. Smith Charities
3. Comic Art Museum
4. Winston Building
5. City Hall Crennelations
6. Florence Congregational Church
7. Eastman House on Elm Street
8. - Smith College Northrup and Gillete connecting
colonnade
9. House East corner of Monroe and South
10. Summer Street House
11. Haymarket Bookstore Cafe on Main -
12. Birds Store in Florence
13. Sylvesters new landscape
Members will prioritized their selections and mail their list to AL
before Monday, Feb.13.
Wed, May 3rd has been selected as the awards date. AL will connect
with the Mayor about this date and find a site for the event.
19. LB wishes to put on record a formal thank you to Gary:_Cadette
for making the beautiful frames for last year's awards.
20. SE will report next' time about dating inventory forms for
Downtown Northampton.
Respectively submitted,
Louise Bloomberg /
Acting Secretary
CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION I
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
DATE: Monday, March 6, 1995
TIME: 4:15 p.m.
PLACE: Council on Aging, Memorial Hall
Northampton
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
AGENDA
Minutes of February 6th meeting.
Review & determine Awards criteria.
Finalize list of Awards for May 3rd.
Architectural Survey.
Other Business.
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Special Meeting
Official Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
PLEASE NOTE: You will be sent a copy of the revised
criteria.- You will also receive the :full list of suggested
recipients. To save,time, please number in order of your
choice.
i NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
_ MINUTES
MARCH 13, 1995 - 4:15 p.m.
(SPECIAL MEETING)
Present: Allison Lockwood, Chair, Louise Bloomberg, Sally
Evans, Tristam Metcalfe, Patricia Wright.
Absent: Gary Cadette, Stanley Elkins, Harold Fitzgerald,
Rodney Kunath, Elise Feeley (Honorary member),
1. New Stationery. Notices from the Fjanning Department to us
will come on their department stationery. We may use our
new NHC stationery for our out -going mail. (AL)
2. Medical Building at corner of Chestnut and Route 9 in
Florence. Work now going ahead. (AL)
3. Southampton Church. The church members are redeliberating
the question of what material to use for siding. (AL)
4. Downtown Forum. AL continues to attend their meetings.
5. Downtown Historic District ? AL received a call from Ken
Jodrie of the Planning Board who reported that the
Planning Board has voted to request the City Council to
establish a Downtown Historic District Study Committee.
(This action was reported in the Springfield Republican
4/6/95.)
6. Awards - Photographs. AL received a call from Jim Danko
of the Daily Hampshire Gazette. The paper will take
photos of the award- winning buildings.
7. Memorial Hall. The Mayor has not yet appointed the
committee who will consider future work on the memorial
area. AL recently received a copy of a 1991 press release
announcing a competition for art work for this area. LB
will look into the matter.
8. Awards - Criteria. The draft revised criteria were
discussed, slightly revised, and accepted unanimously.
9. Awards. After extensive discussion of all 14 nominated
structures, the members voted as follows:
AWARDS
1. Florence Congregational Church
2. City Hall Turrets
3. Smith Charities
4. St. John's Church
5. Northrop & Gillett Dormitories - Connector j
6. 15 Summer Street
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HONORABLE MENTION
1. Smith College Admissions Building
2. The Words & Pictures Museum
3. Winston Building
4. Haymarket Bookstore Cafe
CITIZEN'S AWARD
Elise Feeley
Respectfully submitted
Sall Evans, Acting Secretary
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CITY HALL
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
DATE:
TIME•
PLACE:
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Monday, April 3rd, 1995
4:15 p.m.
Council on Aging, Memorial Hall
Northampton
AGENDA
1. Finalized plans for Awards for Historic Presentation on
May 3rd.
2. Discuss May meeting of Historical Commission Chairs Franklin
and Hampshire County.
3. Discuss Dating of Downtown Buildings.
4. Other Business.
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
APRIL 3, 1.9.98.1 4:15 p.m.
Present: Allison Lockwood, Chair, Louise Bloomberg, Sally Evans,
Gary Cadette, Tristam Metcalfe, Rodney Kunath, Stanley Elkins.
Absent: Elise Feeley, Harold Fitzgerald, Patricia Wright.
1. AL hopes that our award ceremony will be covered by the Hampshire
Gazette, but there are no promises.
2. The City Council will vote on April 6 on the possibility of
establishing a Downtown Historic District.
3. AL discussed possible renovati6ns in Memorial Hall. We will wait
until plans are made for a restoration committee. The Mayor has agreed
that nothing will b7b done until Patrick Goggins has submitted plans.
4. Southampton Congregational Church hopes to scrape and paint rather than
use siding. We have offered our support.
5. The Historical Commissions of Franklin and Hampshire Counties have been
invited to a meeting at Forbes Library at 9:30 a.m., May 13.
6. The Awards Ceremony will take place on May 3. The Mayor and the City
11 Council have been invited.
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7. We will ask Mary Ford to issue a proclamation for a Historic Preserva-
tion month in Northampton.
8. Propose a citizens' award for Keith Wilbur, Ruth Wilbur and Isabel
Holden for helping to establish the Historical Commission.
9. Decided who will introduce the award winners:
Patricia Wright will introduce the Honorable Mentions.
Tristam Metcalfe will do the Smith dormitories.
Gary Cadette will do 15 Sumner St.
Rodney Kunath will do City Hall and St. Johns.
Sally Evans will do the Smith Charities.
Allison Lockwood will do the Florence Congregational Church.
10. Sally Evans discussed the problems involved in dating downtown buildings.
Approximately ninety have to be dated. Only sixty -two have already been
dated. Patricia Wright has agreed to offer instruction for those who are
willing to do this work.
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Respectfully submitted,
Stanley E kins,
Acting Secretary
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CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
DATE: Monday, May 1st, 1995
TIME: 4:15 p.m.
PLACE: Council on Aging, Memorial Hall
Northampton
AGENDA
1. Final plans for awards preservation on May 3rd.
2. Plan the May 13 meeting of area Historical Commission
Chairpersons.
3. Other Business.
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
MAY 1, 1995 4:15 P.M.
Present: Allison Lockwood, Chair; Sally Evans, Rodney Kunath,
Patricia Wright.
Absent: Louise Bloomberg, Gary Cadette, Stanley Elkins, Elise
Feeley, Harold Fitzgerald, Tristram Metcalfe.
1. AL reported receiving a bill dated March 14 from Paradise
Copies. None present recognized charge. AL will check
with TM.
2. SE distributed copies of the criteria for the Commission's
Historic Preservation Awards.
3. AL read a letter from member Harold Fitzgerald resigning from the
Commission for reasons of health. Mr. Fitzgerald expressed
appreciation for the Commission's work and offered continued
personal and financial support.
4. AL reported on inconclusive overtures to several potential
Commission members.
5. Downtown Building Survey: SE reported that the discussion at last
/ month's meeting suggested most members though only updating
of existing survey is needed. In fact, some 90 buildings
have no forms B. AL is trying to obtain maps showing the
present state of the survey. The matter will be placed on the
agenda for an upcoming meeting.
6. May 13 Meeting of Historical Commission Chairs at Forbes Library:
Nineteen persons have accepted the invitation so far. Stanley
Rosenberg and Mary Ford will be informed of the event. The
agenda is informal exchange. A newsletter is one possibility
for future cooperation.
7. Downtown Historic District: AL reported that events seem to be
developing quickly. An Historic Main Street Study Commission
is beiv formed.
8. Bike Trails: AL received call from City Planner Wayne Feiden
requesting a letter of support for grant proposals to develop
two new bike trails. AL provided letter on Commission
letterhead.
9. Forbes Library Historical Plaque: Marcia Burrick is upset about
its disreputable state, especially since an accreditation team
is e.00n to visit. GC will be consulted.
10. Winter lighting of City Hall: City budget director Tom Heddrick
says fixtures exist, only one more would be required.
AL will investigate further.
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CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
DATE: Monday, June 26, 1995
TIME: 4:15 p.m.
PLACE: Council on Aging, Memorial Hall
Northampton
AGENDA
1. Critique 3 May awards event.
2. Report on 13 May meeting of "chairs" of - Hampshire & Franklin
County Historical Commissions. A great success!
3. MA Historical Commission's letter re: new bank branch on
King Street.
4. Status Bay Bank's sign & Zoning Board.
5. Report on persons seeking Northampton Historical Commission
membership.
6. Main Street Building Survey.
7. Historical plaques for buildings.
8. Other business.
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
JUNE 26, 1995 — 4:15 p.m.
Present: Allison Lockwood, Chair, Sally Evans, Rodney Kunath,
�—' Richard Marquis, George Snook.
Absent: Louis Bloomberg (arrived at end of meeting), Gary
Cadette, Stanley Elkins, Tristam Metcalfe, Elise
Feeley (Honorary member),
1. New Commission Members. Richard Marquis and George Snook,
both of whom have expressed interest in serving on the
Commission, attended the meeting and took part in the
discussions. Welcome.
2. Minutes of meeting of May 1, 1995 — Corrections. Due to
lack of a quorum, a vote on the minutes was not possible.
The following corrections were, however, pointed out, and
the minutes will be voted on at the next meeting:
Item 1(). City Hall Lighting. Floodlighting, not winter
lighting.
Item 13. Daley and Halligan E�����tiom Site. Need to
clarify sentence re SE and zoning map. = ?
Item 14. Arts CoumciI... Need to seek clarification of
this item. = ? Children's... = ?
3. Minutes of meeting of May 1, 1995 — Comments.
( / Item 1. March 14 bill. This was incurred, by Tris
Metcalfe, on behalf of the Commission. (AL)
Item 5. Downtown Building Survey. AL has not yet obtained
the map.
Item 6. Meeting of Historical Commission Chairs. Believe
21 or 22 chairs attended. (AL)
Item 12. Southampton Church. Church will scrape and paint
rather than use synthetic siding. (AL)
Item 17. Awards Ceremony. Gazette did a good job of
coverage. (AL)
4. Old Downtown Clock. AL reported on the planned move of
the clock from lower main at the corner of Strong and Main
streets to a spot in front of Sutter's Mill.
5. Bank of Western Massachusetts. AL has received a copy of
a letter from the Massachusetts Historical Commission
concerning the replacement by the bank of an ATM kiosk on
King Street with a 3,000 sq. ft. building.
6. Downtown Local
knowledge, the
by the Mayor.
_ 7. Next Meeting.
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weeks, on Mond
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�-/ meeting room.
Historic District. To the best of our
study commission has not yet been appointed
The next meetin' will take place in two
ay, July 10, at 4:15 at the Council of Aging
Respectfully submitted
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CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
I CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:
Monday, July 10, 1995
4:15 p.m.
Council on Aging, Memorial Hall
Northampton
_. AGENDA .
1. Downtown Building Survey: Sally Evans.
2. Historic Building Plaques: Tris, Gary and Louise.
3. Awards criteria.
4. Other Business.
Northampton Historical Commission, minutes; July 10,1995, 4:15 PM
_ Present: Allison Lockwood, Sally Evans, Tris Metcalfe, Stan
Elkins, George Snook, Richard Marquis, Louise Bloomberg.
Absent: Gary Cadette, PatriciaWright, Harold Fitzgerald, Jean
Kiteley, Elise Feeley, Rodney Kunath.
1. Effort to get City Hall floodlighting to be put on hold for now..'
2. 19,000 s.f. of land has been donated for Daley & Halligan site.
3. Item #14 in last minutes is "informational" not "children"
4. Sally moves to approve 6/26 /95 minutes, seconded.
5. A Sojourner Truth memorial is being donated, and we should be j
active in this very significant project & fund raising campaign.
6. Dn. Tn. master plan before the Planning Bd. 7/27, 8/24, 9/14/95. M,
'7. 12, Dn Tn .Forum @ Unitarian. Society, Agenda; dogs, their
h }.'
mission, Down Town Historic District Study Committee, etc.
8. 'Ken Jodrie RA, says the N E Reg. Council of the AIA will hold,
its annual design awards workshop ceremony @ lst Church, 9/22 724.
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Tris will make a map for their restaurant locator guidance.'
9. Historic Massachusetts "Preservation oes public" workshop 11/4.
g P P
10 showed a copy of Christopher Clark's THE COMMUNITARIAN
' MOMENT, The Radical Challenge of the Northampton Association
11: Wayne Fieden presented the status, of the Dn. Tn. His. Dis.
Sty. Com., and the effort needed from us on the FORM B's for the
-this up coming committee, that is not yet appointed.
1 /3rd of them are done and we will need to help complete it
He showed a city plan map draft of buildings with dates so far
within the National Register district, which maybe ignored by the
- : DTHDSC once. they get underway.' The core group of---buildings will
',undoubtably be In the eventual proposed d -kstrict.
Sally asked timing? Wayne said its a 9 -12 mo. process building
dates needed by 3mos., and the FORM -B's are required by the end.
_ Many towns pay to do this work, but Wayne feels N'ton will
spend small amount to attract money balance from other sources.
Richard said he would like to help on his Fridays off.
Wayne said if he gets an intern this will help too.
12. Dr. George Snook was nominated with Tris Metcalfe to be
recommended to the Mayor by Allison for the DTHDSC.
13. Next meeting is Aug.7 @ 4:15, the next following is Sept. 11th.
F
14.' Tris & Gary will have a finished prototype of the <* "PLAQUES " *>
by the.next meeting.
(minutes "; by Tris Metcalfe)
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CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
DATE: Monday, August 7th, 1995
TIME: 4:15 p.m.
PLACE: Council on Aging, Memorial Hall
Northampton
AGENDA
1. 15 Minutes of Commission business (including plaques).
2. Wayne Feiden, Office of Planning & Development, re: Downtown
Building Survey.
4. Other Business.
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION MINUTES, August 7,1995,4:15 PM
Present: Allison Lockwood, Sally Evans, Tris Metcalfe, George Snook, Richard Marquis, Louise
Bloomberg, Patricia Wright, Rodney Kunath
Absent: Stan Elkins, Gary Cadette
1. Corrections to minutes of June 26: Pat Wright should be included as absent
2. Corrections to minutes of July 10: Since both Harold Fitzgerald and Jean Kiteley have officially
resigned from the Commission, their names should be deleted from the absent list.
3. Above minutes were approved after corrections
4. Allison read a letter which Rev. Gierka of the Florence Congregational Church received from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts concerning the protocol to follow for a building to be included on the
National Register list of historic buildings. A statement in the letter indicated that it is important to have
the support of the local Historical Commission to help expedite the process. A motion was made and
passed which stated that the Northampton Historical Commission supports the addition of the Florence
Congregational Church to the National Registry list.
5. Allison represented the Northampton Historical Commission at a recent Downtown Residents Forum
n meeting. Her presence was greatly appreciated. Among other topics discussed, was the problem of dogs
/ on Main Street.
6. Allison Lockwood and Richard Gravy will attend the New England Regional Council of American
Architects. Following a luncheon at the Hotel Northampton, Helen Searing, Smith Colleges' architectural
art historian, will deliver a talk on the architecture of the Pioneer Valley. Later, Richard Garvey will lead
a walking tour of Northampton.
7. Wayne Feiden, Office of Planning and Development, presented the Commission with the latest draft of
the "Downtown Northampton - Today, Tomorrow and the Future" booklet. He explained the process of
compiling the material for the booklet and went over this final public draft of the work.
8. Discussion of the upcoming Dating Project, which the Historical Commission will help implement,
followed.
Wayne indicated that about 80, or one -half of the total buildings in downtown do not have any Form B
information. Fifty years is now considered the criteria for calling a building "historic"
The Planning Commission will photograph all buildings using black and white film.
On September 11 at 4 PM the Historical Commission will meet on the steps of City Hall to start a
downtown walk accompanied by Wayne who will have the Inventory of Form B book with him for
consultation purposes. Hopefully, we will be able to describe the style and other features of the buildings
we view on our walk. Others including Helen Searing will be invited to join us and share their dating and
other expertise with us. Rain dates are September 12 or 13 at 4PM. Wayne indicated that any
information we can provide will be helpful.
.Louise Bloomberg
Acting Secretary
CITY HALL
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
OFFICIAL MEETING NOTICE
DATE: Monday, September 11, 1995
(RAIN DATE:. Tuesday, September 12, 1995
Wednesday, September 13, 1995)
TIME: 4:00 p.m.
PLACE: CITY HALL FRONT STEPS
Northampton, Mass.
AGENDA Tour Downtown to complete Historic Inventory
Form B's.
CITY HALL
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
DATE: Monday, October 2, 1995
TIME: 4:15 p.m.
PLACE: Council on Aging, Memorial Hall
Northampton
AGENDA
1. Plaques: status: samples.
2. Preliminary discussion, Spring 1996, Awards for Historic
Preservation.
3. Main Street Historic District. -
Appointment of study committee. Scheduled walk - abouts: 925
& 10/23 at 4 p.m. Meet at City Hall steps.
4. Third meeting of Hampshire /Franklin County Historical
Commissions: all members invited.
Date: 28 October, Saturday
Time: 10 a.m. to 12:00
Place: North Hadley Village Hall
5. Historic Massachusetts, Inc
"Preservation Goes Public"
Saturday, 4 November. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The First Churches, Northampton
How to register for this.
6. Time and place for next N.H.C. meeting.
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
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MINUTES
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October 2, 1995 4:15 p.m.
Present: Allison Lockwood, Chair; Stanley Elkins, Rodney Kunath, Tristram
Metcalfe, George Snook
Absent: Louise Bloomberg, Gary Cadette, Elise Feeley, Sally Evans
1. A.L. announced the appointment of the Downtown Historical Commission.
It will include: Joseph Blumenthal, Rosetta Cohen, Joseph Defazio,
Julie Held, Lynn Rice, Robert Walker, Joan Welch.
2. Downtown residents forum will be held on Wednesday.
3. Historic Massachusetts, Inc. will hold a forum "Preservation Goes
Public" at the First Churches, Northampton on Saturday, 4 November, .
8:30 a.m. to 3:30'p.m. A.L. explained how to register for it.
4. A.L. suggested that we begin looking for buildings to give awards.
5. T.M. showed us examples for new plaques we will place on historical
buildings.
6. A.L. distributed copies of the article "Gambling with History" in the
summer of 1995 issue of the Historic Preservation Forum
7. The next meeting will be on Monday, November 6 at 4:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
'7
Stanley lkins, Acting Secretary
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NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
CITY HALL
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
C _)
DATE: Monday, November 6th, 1995
TIME: 4:15 p.m.
PLACE: Council on Aging, Memorial Hall
Northampton
AGENDA
1. Status of historic- building plaques.
2. Awards preservation, May 1996.
3. Reports re:
a) Massachusetts Historical Commission meeting in Greenfield
on October 11th.
b) First meeting of Downtown Historic District Study
Committee on October 17th.
c) Meeting of Chairs and members of historical commissions
from Hampshire and Franklin counties held at Hadley on
October 28th.
d) Information on Historic Massachusetts regional meeting
held here on November 4th at First Churches.
4. Other Business.
C ` Northampton Historical Commission
Minutes
Monday, November 6th, 1995
The meeting was held at 4:15 p.m. in the Council on Aging Meeting
Room, Memorial Hall, Northampton, Mass.
Present: Allison Lockwood, Chair; Rodney Kunath, Louise
Bloomberg, George Snook, Richard Marquis. Also present: Richard
Garvey.
Absent: Gary Cadette, Stanley Elkins, Tristam Metcalfe, Patricia
Wright.
Other Business:
Allison Lockwood passed around the table a card sent from Sally
Evans. Allison handed out 2 publications on Gambling - Historic
Journal and 11 12 Good Reasons Why Casino Gambling is Bad for Your
Family, Bad for your Family, Bad for Springfield."
Tom Leue, the Energy Coordinator, said the idea of spot lights on
City Hall is not dead. There needs to be a pole put up across
Main Street.
Allison Lockwood received a call from Penny Kim to inform that
there is an opening for a voting member of the Historical
Commission. It was decided that Allison Lockwood would contact
Gary Cadette and ask him if he was interested. If Gary Cadette
was not interested Tristam Metcalfe would be asked.
Correction to October minutes to add Patricia Wright.
1. Status of historic building plaques.
2. Mayor Ford agreed that May would be preservation month.
Allison Lockwood would like to do something on William Fenno
Pratt and his houses. Allison Lockwood announced that the
preservation awards are coming up and would like each of us
to bring in a nomination and the justification for an award.
There was discussion on several houses that would be
nominations: Pierce Hall, 196 Elm St., 41 Washington Ave.,
30 Munroe St., 29 Arlington St., a house on Kensington St.,
Country Club in Leeds, Lock House.
3a. Allison Lockwood reported on the Mass. Historical Comm.
meeting in Greenfield on October 11th. Allison talked about
how the Commissioners are Governor Appointees. The Comm.
wanted more contact with Western Mass. Adeline Cromwell
wanted to know more about the Hampshire /Franklin meetings.
There is a $129,000 Grant program to stimulate surveys in
towns. The next meeting (the 4th meeting) is coming soon to
Northampton.
3b. There have been 2 meetings of the Downtown Historic District
1 Study Committee. The Committee will meet every other week
on Mondays, 11:30 -1:00 in the Conference Room, 2nd floor, 1
City Hall. Next meeting is November 20th. So far Wayne
Feiden is running the meetings. Meetings have concentrated
on criteria of a local historic district. The Committee is
still learning. The goal is for the Committee to be done in
6 months.
3c. There was a meeting of the Chairs and members of historical
commissions from Hampshire and Franklin counties held at
Hadley on October 28th. Next meeting will be on the second
Saturday in March in Leverett.
3d. Allison Lockwood talked about the Sat., November 4 meeting
of the Historic Massachusetts regional meeting. There were
65 people present - 8 from Western Massachusetts. A map of
places to dine was a gift of the Northampton Historical
Commission. A summary of proposed legislation S. 1485 was
discussed and looking for support. (The Northampton
Historical Commission agreed that a letter as a group and
individual letters would be written.) Allison Lockwood
talked about the speakers and their topics.
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
CITY HALL 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01060
Official Meeting Notice
Northampton Historical Commission
Monday, December 4th, 1995
4:15 p.m.
Council on Aging, Memorial Hall
Northampton
Minutes for November 6th meeting.
Voting & Assoc. Memberships.
Report on Historic Mass. meeting held on November 4th.
Preservation Month: May.
Possible Projects.
Any Other Business.
c p - I ' 1 e �
,
NORTHAMPTON HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MINUTES
DECEMBER 4, 1995 - 4:15 p.m.
Present: Allison Lockwood, Chair, Louise Bloomberg, Stanley
Elkins, Sally Evans, Rodney Kunath, Richard Marquis,
Trlstam Metcalfe, George Snook.
Absent: Gary Cadette, Patricia Wright, Elise Feeley (Honorary
member)
1. minutes of meeting of November 6, 1995
Corrections:
1. Paragraph 6. Tristram Metcalfe is already a voting
member.
2. Item 2. Kensington Avenue, not St.
Locke not Lock.
3. The minutes were taken by Richard Marquis.
Minutes of Nov. 6 approved as corrected.
2. New Haven /Northampton Canal.
Richard Marquis, having attended a talk on the canal last
winter in New haven and having seen the exhibit on display
there, is proposing that two members of the New Haven
�) panel present a program here in Northampton next spring.
They have agreed to come if a space can be located, and
Richard has talked to the Forbes Library about the use of
the Coolidge Room for the talk and hopes to be able to
arrange for display of the exhibit in the adjacent area on
the library's second floor. Possible dates for the talk
are Thursday evening, April 4, Thursday evening, April 11,
or Sunday afternoon, April 14, 1996. Members of the
Commission were very enthusiastic about Richard's
proposal. He will report again at our next meeting.
3. Members of the Commission.
There was further discussion as to a candidate for a new
voting member. Should someone who has not been able to
attend many meetings as an associate member be moved to
voting status? Stanley Elkins said he would not be
interested in the new appointment even if asked. Would
Patricia Wright be interested? Tris Metcalfe and Allison
Lockwood will explore the question further.
4. Historic Preservation Awards for Spring 1996.
The Chair distributed a list of properties which have been
mentioned as possible candidates, and members discussed
them, pointing out their several plusses and minuses.
r
Several other properties were brought up. Members will
look at the candidates, and the list will be discussed
again at our January meeting.
5. Awards Day - Spring 1996.
The Chair raised the question of whether we might plan
something to honor William Fenno Pratt at the time of the
ceremony. Suggestions:
a) Might we call the awards The William Fenno Pratt
Awards?
b) What about a walking tour of the extant Pratt
buildings?
c) Could we host a William Fenno Pratt tea?
6. Old Lower Hain Street Clock..
The Chair reported that the matter is now in court.
7. Historic Plaques.
Samples again were shown.
6. The meeting adjourned ca. 6:00 p.m.
9. Next meeting.
C J 1 The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 16 at
4:15 in the Council of Aging meeting room.
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE FROM USUAL WEEK ARID CHANGE OF DAY.
Brett Jacobus will attend and will talk about our City
buildings.
Respectfully submitted
Sally Evans, Acting Secretary