Type all entries complete applicable sections · 2021. 4. 15. · Form 10-300 July 1969 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC

Form 10-300July 1969

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESINVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM

Type all entries - complete applicable sections

STATE

Rhode IslandCOUNTY,

Provi. denc a

FOR NPS USE ONLYENTRY NUMBER DATE

COMMON:

Pearce Nathaniel House

AND/OR NISTORIC:

STREET AND NUMBER:

3Q Brook StreetCITY OR TOWN:

ProvidenceSTATE

Rhode Island, 02906.

13 CLASSIFICATION -- . -

___________________________

CODE COUNTY,

LU4 Providence 007

CATEGORYCheck One

.. .OWNERSHIP-

ACCESSIBLESTATUSTO THE PUBLIC

El District Building

El Site El Structure

El Object.,-

El Public IPublic Acquisition:

Private- 0 In Process

El Both 0 Being Considered-

o Unoccupied

o Preservation workIn progress

Yes:

El Restricted

El Unrestricted

No

PRESENT USE Check One or More as Appropriate

El Agriculturol El Government El Pork. 0 Transportation El Comments

El Commer’iol El Industrial Private Residence . El Other Spoclfr -

El Educational El Military El Religious

El Entertainment El Museum El Scientific

4 OWNEROFPROPERTY . - -

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OWNERS NAME: .

Donald Oliver.

. , . .

.

.. -. .-

. .

. -l

P1STREET AND NUMBER’ . . .

30S Brook Street . .,

CITY OR TOWN: .

Providence - .

OC ATION OF LEGAL DESC RI

.

P liON

STATE: .

Rhode Island, 02906I cQDEr’’-

cOURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS. ETc

City Hall

STREET AND NUMBER:

Dorrance and Washington StreetsCITY OR TOWN:

Providence

DATE OF SURVEY: 1961

n0cz-4-C

___________________________________________

.iI?’IÔSL.iR.’/E.YTITLE OF SURVEY:

Historic American Buildings Si1rvey

STATE CODE

Rhode Island, 02903 r1Federal El State El County El Local

DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: c z-o

Library of CongressSTREET AND NUMBER: . S

IndependenceAvenue and 1st Street, S. S.. . . .

CITY OR TOWN: . STATE:CODE -

Vlashington District of Columbia flhY

S. -

___

Check One

CONDITIONEl Excellent J_Good_ Foir n Deteriorated E] Ruins r: Une’cposed

Check One

III Altered El Unaltered Moved Q. Original Site

DESCRIBE TNE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL iknowrl PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

The Nathaniel Pearcehouse was originally erected, probably around

1801, at hi. GeorgeStreet and in 1888 was moved to its present location.It is a two_and.-one-half-storeydwelling of heavy timber constructionplainly visible on the interior and rests upon a low brownstonefoun

dation dating from the 1888 moving. The.exterior is covered by narrow

clapboards and has quoins defining the- main block. The roof ridge is

parallel to the street; the roof is pierced on the street west de by

three gabled dormers and at the rear by an elongated shed dormer--aU

dorners probably being early .XX-Century additions. A flat, railed plat

form is astride tFi gable ridge between the two interior chimneys and is

probably also a later addition. Two sympathetic additions to the original

house run towards the back of the site. Wauis Howe is thought to be the

architect of the south-east addition, built in 19b0; the north-east wing

- is earlier. . -

-

U,

- Centred in the conventional five-bay-widestreet faade is a pedi-mented doorway, its fanlight rising into the pediment,charaóteristic of Ri

early Renublican housesin Rhode Island. From this doorway, iron-railed

bromstone steps of 1888 run down to the sidewalk. There is a simi- -

lar, though less detailed, doorway in the north gable-end of the house,All windows in the original house have splayed lintels with carved key-stones, typical of elegant houses of its period; window sasheshave six- -l

over-six lights; louvred wooden shutters are now attached to most win-dows. Each of the gable-endsof the house has four irregularly-spacedbays, thoseon the north including the aforementionedentrance and thoseon the south including a tripartite window probably dating from the 19b0remodelling. There is a highly decorative eaves cornice with a runningfret design and bedmould; the delicate fret also ornaments the end -

gables. . . .0

- a- The north-east wing is actually an aggregateof various-sized two

storey additions. Two doorways former service entrances with segmental transoms face Brook.Street; a door also opens to the kitchen-yard inthe rear. This wing, though having simpler trim, is in remarkableharmony with the original structure. The south-eastwing was put on in19b0 by Howe it ii thought, an important architect, of sensitive taste,in Providence,during the first half of the XX Century. This addition isin the Colonial Revival style, consistent with the earlier parts of thedwelling. Within the recess formed by the two rearward wings, and abovetheir one-storey connector, is seen the large, round-headedlanding win

dow of the original house, with its carved keystone.

-- Internally, the basic plan is the traditional one of a broad cen

tral hall from which open four large, square, corner rooms on the first

floor; and the plan above is similar. Conventionally placed at the rear

of the central hail is the open main stair, of two runs separatedby alanding. Short flights of steps branching out from the landing now lead

- See Continuation Sheet.

.

.

.

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.

For,., lO-300a UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE

July 1969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COUNTY

ProvidenceINVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM

FOR NPS USE ONLYENTRY NUMBER DATE

Continuation Sheet

Number all ,nt.-i..

7. Description.

to the second floors of the rear additions. There is also a concealedstaircase, ascendingfrom first to attic floors, between the north walland the jiorth chimney; this secondarystair utiises the door in the northgable-end and seems earlSr--if perhaps not contemporarywith the c. 1801house.

Interior trim correspondswith that of the exterior in its delicateFederal period scale. The use of decoration primarily for articulationis repesentative of the period in which the housewas built. Doors areeight-panelled and.- surroundedby moulded architraves which are Itearedil inmore important locations. Window trim is similarly crossetted in principalrooms. A moulded chair-rail runs. around most rooms; only in the centralhall is there a panelled wainscot. Cornices in the north-west and southwest front rooms have dentils; that of the central ball is carried onbrackets; elsewhere they are without these embellishments. 1tOne-storeyt’shelved mantels are in all rooms of t}-e original house, except for thesouth-east drawing-room, where there occurs one with a panelled over-mantel--probably a Colonial Revival replacement. The main stair has rampedrailings above an open string, and the newel gives a delicate, fluted terminal. A handsomearchway divides the second-floorhall: it comprises afull-span moulded architrave, with keystone, carried upon square flutedpilasters. Interio±t detailingin the south-east wing is of rather richColonial Revival style in both wood and plaster. The north-east wing contains only domestic offices. . -

This house projects extraordinary dignity on its limited site. Important to its appearanceis a fence of delicate palings running acrossthe front of the property. The fabric remains obviously fine on both exterior and interior. However--the to a now fluctuating neighbourhoodstatus and recently changing ot-merships--the over-all condition of thishouse is less than the fl excellentit pronouncedin the 1961 Historic AmericanBuildings Survqy. - -

GPO 901.082

--J:v -

PERIOD Check One or Morn as Appropriate -

o Pre-Columbion I Q 16th Century Q 18th Century fl 20th Century

El 15th Century - 17th Century j 19th Century

SPECIFIC DATEISI if Applicable andKnown C. 1801AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE Check One or More as Appropriate . -

Abc, gino1 Q Education Q Politicol 0 Urban Planning

o PrehistoriC 0 Engineering C Religion/Phi. 0 Other Specify

El Historic 0 Industry losophy

________________________

0 Agriculture 0 Invention 0 Science

E Architecture 0 Landscape C Sculpture

________________________

--o Art . Architecture- C Social/Human

________________________

0 Commerce 0 Literature itarian

________________________

o Communications o Military 0 Theater

________________________

0 Conservation o Music 0 Tronsportotion

________________________

STAT EMEN’T OF SIGNIFICANCE - . - -

The Nathaniel Pearce houseis immediately recognisable as indigenous to Rhode Island: it possessesso maw details characteristic ofearly Republican arcnitedture here that it can be taken as an a-rbhetypeof domestic design of its period. It remains in a remarkable conditionof architectural integrity, with decorative features preserved.

0

- The significance of such a building is enhancedby the numberofsurviving, somewhat similar, ones to which it can be comparedor likened.

o Variations of its design-and trim, often less fine, throughOut.the statereveal the Nathaniel Pearce houseas-a leading member of a movement in

- domestic architecture clearly identified with Rhode Island, and of thatit is a particularly fine representative.

in Its builder, Nathaniel Pearce, was a ship-master and ship-owner:a his residence indicates the prominencehe and his profession enjoyed.- The prosperity of Providence in his time dependedupon its activity as

a port, and the importance of a ship’s captain is reflected in Pearce’shouse. In its original position on George Street, the house must havew had an expansiveview of the old, large bay. Pearce lived in this

- house until l86, when it went to hisheirs. In 1888 it was ownedbythe Goddard family, who sold the George Street land to Brown University,which required either demolition or moving of the house* John .1 * DeVIolfat that point bought the building and had it transferred to Brook Street.Until the late 1960’s the house remained in the DeWolf family, andtheir nare is frequently used in referring to it.

On its present site, no longer in piwdmity to the bay and in thecompany of much younger, nondescript neighbours, the house appearssomewhat out of context but shows itself contrastingly important. Oncestaid and fashionable, the immediate environment of the Pearce house isnot now appealing; a site to the soutn is a parking-lot; nearby is a"pizzeria;-" indicative of t’ánds in the -area. Brook Street is one ofthe least-defined edges of Brown University. Open space alongthatstreet to the north and areas to the east now acquired by the universityseem threatening to the house: it is almost alone in a no-man’s-land.In spite of its present, and possible futuro, surroundings, the loss ormutilation of this house would be a local disaster. Since it :is now ina fragile condition and a precarious position it needs attentionfocussed upon its intrinsic beauty and its landmark value.

- - - -

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- ‘ -. j1JM4,JOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL RE!ERENCES tMtcw4b. .tYAWThflQ?

Providence PreservationSociety, Providence, Rhode Island: Brook Street -

/ records prepared by A. Downing and E. Gowdey, 1961.Overby, Osmund: Historic American Buildings Survey, No. RI-18b Wash

ington, P. C., 1961.

çjil.GEOGRAPHICALtATA - - - - . - -- - -

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATESDEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY

CORNER LATITUDE LONGITUDE

Degrees MinüIes Seconds0 -

-. -

0 *:

a

Degrees Minules Seconds0

0

- 0

0

0R

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE CODRDINA TESDEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY

OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES

LATITUDE LONGITUDE

Degrees Minules Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds

Li° l-9 -30.15-N 71 ° 23 ‘S75l6"W

APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY, f5 tnan -one acreLIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES

NAME AND TITLE,

Frederic Cawley, ConsultantORGANIZATION - DATE

Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission - - - August 16, 1971STREET AND NUMBER:

State House, 90 Smith Street -

CITY OR TOWN:

ProvidenceSTATE

Rhode Island, 02903CODE

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STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICAllQN NATIONAL REGISTER VERIPICATION

As the designated State Liaison Officer for the-Na

tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 Public Law

89-665: 1 hereby nominatethis property for inclusion

in the National Reister and certify that it has been

evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set

forth by the National Park Service. The recommended

level of significance of this nomination is:

National State Local 0

N a me

Title

Date

I hereby certify that this, property is included in the

National Register - - - - - -

Chief: Office of ArciIeOlogy and Historic Preservation

Date - -

ATTEST - -

Keepor of Tile National Register

Fjate

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NW

NE

SESW

STATE:

STATE:

STATE:

CODE COUNTY

STATE:

COUNTY:

jft;. FORM PREPARL

COUNTY:

COUNTY:

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUT

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FORNPSUSE ONLY

Typeall entries - attach to or enclosewith photographENTRY NUMBER DATE

Z..

... . -

o jOMMON: Pearce Nathaniel. House- lAND/OR HISTORIC:

I- I..OCATONSTREET AND NUMBER:o 30 Brook StreetCITY OR TOWN:

ProvidenceSTATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE

Rhode Island Providence U07

z $OTOREffEREP4CE- HOTO CREDIT: B. Christopher Bene

IDATE OF PHOTO: 1971W IETIvE FILED AT:Rhoje Island Historical Preservation Conimission, State House,w 1 90 Sr’ith Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903V oTwIcATR,N

DESCRIBE VIEW, DIR ECTI ON. ETC.

West front on street. -

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUNTY

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY

Typeall entries - attach to or enclosewith photographENTRY NUMBER DATE

. . .... - . .

o COMMON: Pearce Nathanie1 House- AND/OR HISTORIC:

I- I:tocAr1ON -. - .. -

o STREET AND NUMBER:

305 Brook StreetCITY OR TbWN:

ProvidenceJTATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE

Rhode Island Prodce 007

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- ‘HOTO CREDIT: Ro S. NcElweeDATE OF PHOTO: 1971

LU EGATIVEFILEDAT: Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission, State House,w 90 Smith Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903v

DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC.

View up principal staircase, showing landing window.

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUNTY

PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY

Typeall entries - attach to or enclosewith photographENTRY NUMBER DATE

z.. .....

o COMMON: Pearce Nathaniel 4ouse- AND/OR HISTORIC:

I- LLocAT1su ITREET AND NUMBER:

305 Brook StreetCITY OR TOWN:

ProvidenceSTATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE

- Rhode Island Providence 001

z _14OTOREffERENCE- EPHOTO CREDIT: Ross S. McElwee

I.DATE OF PHOTO: 1971LU EGATIVE FILED AT:RhOde Island Historical Preservation Commission, State House,

LU 1 90 Smith Street Providence, Rhode Island, 02903v 1ë4T1FIcATIOt

DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC.

East end of drawing room.

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UNITED S1AES DEPARTMLNT OF IH INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rh-de Is Land

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESCOUNTY

ProvidencePROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY

Typeall entries - attach to or enclosewith photographENTRY NUMBER DATE

Z UNE:.: .... ..I;.::.. H . >...... ..... *.... ‘

o jOMMON: Pearce Nathaniel House- jAND/OR HISTORIC:

I- I,OCAT1ON

Li ITREET AND NUMBER:

305 Brook StreetCITY OR TOWN:

*ProvidenceSTATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE

Rhode Island Providence 007

z 4OTO REFERENCE- [PHOTO CREDIT:

bATE OF PHOTO:

LU EGATIVE FILED AT:

1... ......... ... .....

DENTIF1cAT1Ot-4 -

DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC.

Sketch-plan of first floor, by Frederic Cawley, 1971.

Latitude:

GEOGRRJL COORDINATES41° 49’ 30.15" N

Longitude 71° 231 57.16h1 W

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1Form 10-301 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE

July 1969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COUNTY

ProvidencePROPERTY MAP FORM FOR NPSUSE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATEType all entries - attach to or enclosewith map

z - ...--..... .- ...--

0 COMMON: Pearce ii;5o. . - . -

- AND/OR HISTORIC:

I- LOCATiON -

STREET AND NUM BER:o V.305 Brook Street

CITY OR TOWN:

ProvidenceSTATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE

-. Rhode Island Providence - 007REFERENCE -.

jSOURCE:

- IU. S. Geological Survey

UJ CALE: 1: 2b,000JpATE: U... 1Q7 . ,. -- ..

:::::.: .:

TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS

. Property breundaries where required.2. North arrow.

3. Latitude and longitud, reference.