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Strimer NHC demolition delay 7 College Lane.pdfNorthampton Historical Commission City Hall 210 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 Dear NHC, I have looked into the history of 7 College Lane for which you are asked to approve for demolition by Smith College. I think there are a few strong arguments for it importance and preservation. 1. One of the strongest arguments for its preservation is the contribution it makes to the built landscape of Smith College itself, and not just its important historical association with the Stoddard family and its connection with Moses Breck and William Fenno Pratt. What was 70 Elm Street was moved to 7 College Lane by 1910 1 to make way for the construction of J.M. Greene Hall. Had there been more time, access to Building Records at Smith could have been requested. (https://findingaids.smith.edu/repositories/4/resources/7). The placement of what became the Smith College Gardener's house by 19152 is in itself of historical importance and might account for its careful siting with views of Paradise Pond and the Holyoke Range. I wonder if a poll of Smith Alumnae would support its preservation with so many having walked by it every day. It’s demolition would be analogous to the untimely destruction of the "kindergartner's house" to make way for a parking lot at Hill Institute in Florence. Smith College’s Botanic Garden, with it’s Lyman Plant House, is of uncontested historical importance. This building could be considered part of its early growth as a complex of buildings and gardens. 2. While I think that the 2011 Form B for the house overplays its association with builder Moses Breck. He sold his vacant homestead lot (his house and barn were victims of arson in 1855) to Frances E. G. Stoddard3 in 1861. The Gazette reported, “Mr. Moses Breck has sold his building lot on Elm street, to widow Stoddard, who intends to erect a house there in the coming spring.”4 Whether or not she employed Breck and his crew to build the house is uncertain. Breck, at the age of 68, was still firmly in the trade in 1861 when he built the Florence Congregational Church from William Fenno Pratt’s plans. A single Gothic Revival window adorns the Greek Revival pediment of the eastern gable suggesting Pratt’s influence at 7 College Lane. Pratt had designed Frances Stoddard’s neighbor, J.H. Lyman’s house (112 Elm Street), Edwin Herrick’s House in Haydenville, and A.L. Williston’s House in Florence, all about 1861, and all mansions in grand Gothic Revival Style. Pratt had also designed the home of Frances Stoddard’s brother-in-law, William H. Stoddard across from her former house on Elm Street by 1854. 1 “1910 Sanborn 7 College Detail” 2 “1915 Sanborn 7 College Detail” 3 Frances Elizabeth Greenwood Stoddard (1808-1883) - Find A Grave Memorial 4 1861, 02-05 Breck to Widow Stoddard, Hampshire Gazette 3. How aware the Trustees of Smith are of the importance of the house I don’t know. It would be sad to see it go. They are not like private owners of historic properties: They plan well over a year in advance and know they can wait out any demolition delay as with the recent demolition of the Mediterranean Style house at 27 Belmont Avenue. I have no idea what they intend there but it’s hard to imagine it will be better than this well-designed and sited historic house. 4. I’m attaching my folders on the house for reference if you need it. All the best, Steve 11/25/21, 1:38 PM Frances Elizabeth Greenwood Stoddard (1808-1883) - Find A Grave Memorial https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52380455/frances-elizabeth-stoddard 1/2 Created by: P.K. Magruder Added: 14 May 2010 Find a Grave Memorial 52380455 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52380455/frances-elizabeth-stoddard : accessed 25 November 2021), memorial page for Frances Elizabeth Greenwood Stoddard (8 Jan 1808–23 Mar 1883), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52380455, citing Bridge Street Cemetery, Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA ; Maintained by P.K. Magruder (contributor 47017377) . Copyright © 2021 Find a Grave® Frances Elizabeth Greenwood Stoddard BIRTH 8 Jan 1808 Barbados DEATH 23 Mar 1883 (aged 75) Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA BURIAL Bridge Street Cemetery Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, USA MEMORIAL ID 52380455 Adopted by the parents, Solomon and Sarah (Tappan) Stoddard, the parents of her husband, Solomon. Inscription Family Members Frances Elizabeth Greenwood/Wife of/Solomon Stoddard/Born/Jan. 8 1808/Died/Mar. 23 1883 Remembering without/ceasing your work of/faith, and Labor of love/and patience of hope in/our Lord Jesus Christ. James Greenwood/Son of S. & F. E. G. Stoddard/June 15 1844/Mar. 28 1908 Spouse Solomon Stoddard 1800–1847 (m. (married) 1838) Children Sarah Tappan Stoddard Williston 1839–1912 Solomon Partridge Stoddard 1841–1918 Louise Greenwood Stoddard Williston 1842–1923 James Greenwood Stoddard 1844–1908 Francis Hovey Stoddard 1847–1936 Photo added by CarrieVirginia Added by Brucene Stulen Seal Added by CarrieVirginia 11/25/21, 1:38 PM Frances Elizabeth Greenwood Stoddard (1808-1883) - Find A Grave Memorial https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52380455/frances-elizabeth-stoddard 2/2