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HomeMy WebLinkAbout170 Pleasant St Site Visit Materials 2017Vozella, Beth From: Vozella, Beth Sent: Friday, April 21, 2017 1:01 PM To: 'lave@tobyleary.com' Cc: Greene, Karen; Beverly Bachand; Duncan Oliver (oliver02675@comcast.net); Frederick C. Fries (phredfll@verizon.net); Jack Duggan (bayviewcapecod@comcast.net); Janice R. Norris (JaniceRacineNorris@comcast.net),- Julie Mockabee (vanguard3l@verizon.net); Kathe Hyslop; Sarah R. Horne Subject: 170 Pleasant St- Site Vist- April 27th 10AM Attachments: The Kittredge House.PDF; Archaeology Proposal -170 Pleasant St.pdf Hello Dave - Thank you for accommodating the upcoming site visit for 170 Pleasant Street which is scheduled for Thursday, April 27th at 10:00AM. Following is a list of people who will be attending: Historical Commission Members Julie Mockabee Sarah Horne Fred Fries Duncan Oliver Beverlee Bachand Jack Duggan Kathe Islip Beth Vozella (Town Staff) Also, attached please find: - A file containing additional information on this home which is referred to as "The Kitteridge House" in a book published in 1915 titled Remodeled Farmhouses by Mary H. Northend. - A proposal for a brief archeological survey of the property. Please don't hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. Thank you. See you on the 27th, -Beth Beth Vozello Office Administrator Yarmouth OKH Committee/Historical Commission Town of Yarmouth 1146 Route 28, South Yarmouth, MA 02664-4451 Tel: 508-398-2231 X 1292 Fax: 508-398-0836 21 April 2017 RE: A Brief Archaeology Survey Proposal for: #170 Pleasant Street The Yarmouth Historical Commission has an ongoing interest in learning more about the town's prehistoric past and with your permission we would like to have a professional archaeologist conduct a brief survey of the site. The Bass River watershed all the way up to the river's headwaters is an area of known Native American occupation over many millennia. This property in particular has favorable potential as a site Native peoples might have used on a seasonal basis in good weather months. Craig Chartier of the Plymouth Archaeological Rediscovery Project would do the testing at no charge. The town has worked closely with Mr. Chartier since 2010, primarily at the town owned Taylor -Bray Farm, and can attest to his professionalism and fieldwork expertise. Mr. Chartier has extensive experience working cooperatively with private land owners. A limited survey such as we propose would not interfere with the timing or scope of future construction work on the property. A brief survey would include the following activities: • A half to a full day of walking the property and digging small test pits. • Test pits are 50 centimeter (approx 20") squares dug to sample the potential for artifacts and previous human occupation. The test pits would be filled in and the ground surface restored as close as possible to its condition before we dug. • A written report analyzing artifacts and soil features that might be found. • All artifacts discovered would be the property of the home owner. We would be happy to tailor any archaeology work to whatever you feel comfortable allowing us to do. For more information or to schedule a brief survey, please contact either: Craig Chartier at 774-488-2095 or Jack Duggan, Archaeology Representative for the Yarmouth Historical Commission at 508-385- 8631. Thank you in advance for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you. REMODELED FARMHOUSES BY MARY H. NORTHEND AUTHOR OF « COLONIAL HONES AND THEIR FURNISHINGS' 9 "H13TOJUC HOMES OF NEW ENGLAND, to ETC. WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BOSTON LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 1915 ,, G0081c PREFACE THERE is a certain fascination connected with the remodeling of a farmhouse. Its low, raftered interior, its weather-beaten exterior, never fail to appeal. Types vary with the period in which they were built, but all are of interest. In this collection, which has been pictured with great care, pains have been taken to show as many different types as possible, so that the student will be able to find numerous interesting details that can be incorpo- rated into his contemplated remodeling. In the study of this work I have grown to feel a deep reverence for the old homes of our forefathers, and have come to realize as never before the care and painstaking thor- oughness of the old master builders. I wish to thank the owners of these homes who have so kindly thrown open their doors to my inspec- tion, and who have told me the interesting stories connected with the houses. ( vii ] Y_n Gooqfe PREFACE Acknowledgment should be made to American Homes and Gardens for permission to use various articles of mine which they have previously published. In the contents of this book I trust there may be much of value to those who are contemplating the remodeling of a farmhouse and that the work will bring to them the same enjoyment that the study of the subject has brought to me. MARY H. NORTHEND. AUGUST, 19x5. G ook� f '. C. CHAPTER III THE KITTREDGE HOUSE HAVE you ever noticed the fishermen's little cottages that stand along the seacoast wherever modern summer resorts have not displaced them? From a modern architectural point of view, they would at first seem quite insignificant, and yet, hidden away beneath the rough exteriors, there are often interesting lines and good proportions. The humble fishermen who dwelt there cared little for external appearance, but they built their cot- tages strong and solid and, though unpretentious, they were comfortable. These little old houses, seemingly commonplace though they may be, hold much more interest for the prospective house owner and the architect than do the more elaborate ones of later periods. For wherever men have utilized what skill and in- telligence they have to satisfy definite needs in the simplest, most straightforward way, they have achieved something of lasting worth. The ages of these old seacoast houses vary just [z8] Yk THE KIT HEDGE HOUSE as do those farther inland. Some were built long before the Revolution and others at a much more recent date. Some have fallen into hopeless de- cay, while others are still stanch and habitable. The possible purchaser should snake a careful examination both inside and out before he decides to remodel. Sometimes, from a superficial sur- vey, an old house may appear sturdy enough to warrant renovation, but a closer investigation will prove that this would be an expensive busi- ness. For the old timbers often hold together firmly because they have all settled together as a unit; if any one is disturbed, the rest may be greatly weakened or even threaten to fall apart, like the proverbial house of cards. The first indication of dangerous weakness is a sagging roof. If the lines are even a little con- cave, it is a bad sign, for the roof would not have settled had the walls held absolutely true. Be- cause of pressure against them, they have been forced apart and perhaps are on the point of tumbling down altogether. If the roof passes its test well, then examine the line of the walls ' and be sure they are absolutely vertical and have neither spread nor fallen inward. Next study the condition of the timbers. The [29] REMODELED FARMHOUSES sill is the most important one. If it is badly decayed, all the other members resting upon it will have been thereby weakened and the whole structure impaired. The upright timbers and the studs will all have settled, and to straighten them will mean practically the rebuilding of the house. The floors and the roof which rest upon them will be endangered. Sometimes the ends of the uprights have rotted, and the slightest new work about them will result in their crumbling and undermining the beams and rafters they support. It is often necessary to use a sharp iron or a long knife and pry underneath the coverings on both the exterior and the interior to determine their condition. A little attention given to these points will determine whether it is worth while to attempt remodeling, or whether the expense involved would be out of all propor- tion to the result. Scarcely less vital is the condition of the cellar. Is there dampness, caused by lack of ventilation, by bad walls, or by some inherent moisture? Some of these old houses have a well in the cellar; this should be drained off and filled up. But if there is an actual spring of water, as not infre- quently occurs, either move the house or abandon 1301 I* r THE KITTREDGE HOUSE it. Bad walls can be cemented and waterproofed. If the trouble comes from lack of light and air, it may be possible to cut larger window openings. Most old houses were set too low, however, and it is frequently an advantage to raise them. This requires sound underpinning, or the expense will be great. While considering the subject of dampness, it is well to examine the roof and see how much it leaks under the moss -grown shingles. If it is an old house that is in tolerably good repair at the present time, it may be that under some previous owner the roof fell into decay, and rains soaked through. Look for signs of this, for it will mean weakness in timbers and plaster that must be guarded against. Examine the boards of the roof to see if they are strong enough to permit the laying of new shingles. The chimney is another important matter to investigate. In old houses which have not been used for some time, the bricks often deteriorate and become so soft that they crumble at the touch. This would necessitate the not inconsiderable expense of rebuilding the whole chimney, unless it is so large that a second smaller one may be in- serted within the old. With the huge fireplaces [311 REMODELED FARMHOUSES of other days, whose yawning mouths were often capable of holding a ten -foot log, a metal flue is frequently used in the remodeling. It is sur- rounded on the outside, between itself and the old chimney, with concrete, which renders it en- tirely safe from danger of fire. A glance should be given also, in this inspection, at the condition of the floors. If they are not level, it indicates defects in the timbers under- neath. The boards themselves are often so rough and Iaid with such large cracks that it will be necessary to lay new floors. Notice, too, the con- dition of doors and windows; whether they are straight and true enough to be used again, or if others will have to replace them. Tap the piaster here and there to see where it is loose and to what extent it must be renewed. These are the tests that indicate whether the old house is worth buying and what will be the essential expense to make it habitable. Sometimes one or another defect is so severe as to make the venture foolish; again it can be remedied by resort to strenuous methods. Not infrequently the drawbacks of a bad cellar and a poor location are at once overcome by removing the house alto- gether to a new site. This is practicable when 132) THE KIMEDGE HOUSE the building is sound in structure and an inexpen- sive operation if it is small. That was the proceeding which Miss Mabel L. Kittredge undertook with an old fisherman's cottage that had stood for many years on the shores of Cape Cod. It was a simple little build- ing, dilapidated and weather-beaten, and quite unsuggestive of a summer home. But its very quaintness and diminutive size attracted her attention, and she determined to investigate it. The owner was willing to part with it, just as it stood, for eighty-five dollars, not including the land. The location was not desirable, and it was de- cided to "fleck" the house, as is the colloquial term on the Cape for preparing a building to be moved. It was taken apart and floated across the water to its new foundations in South Yar- mouth. Here it was "unflecked" and set up facing the harbor and the cool breezes from the ocean. The original building, erected in the early part of the nineteenth century, was a small, shingled structure, thirty by twenty feet, with a straight gable roof rising from the low stud of the first story. Its proportions were not at all unpleas- 1331 REMODELED FARMHOUSES ing, and the placing of the several small -paned windows was particularly agreeable. There was a kitchen shed attached to the rear. When it was set in position in the new location, additional windows were cut, a small porch built at the front entrance, and a second shed attached at right angles to the kitchen wing. In the second story, a broad flat -roofed dormer with three windows increased the interior space, with- out seriously altering the straight lines of the roof. The effort to retain the original simplicity of line is also evident in the porch roof, which follows closely the wide angle of the gable ends of the house. The original interior was cut up into a number of small rooms, the partitions of which were re- moved, with the exception of those dividing off a bedroom at the rear. This left one good-sized apartment, which was fitted up for living and dining -room combined and made a most delight- ful place. The stairs were built at the left, along the rear wall. A group of three windows was cut here to give extra light and air, and the manner in which they have been handled is interesting. On account of the position of a heavy supporting beam, it was impossible to make these new win - 1341 3 w �t R cn m h 0 G O U w a Q U A a z I The Attic Chamber The Living Room AN OLD CAPE COD HOUSE THE KITMEDGE HOUSE dows the height of the original ones. The effect of this was ameliorated by placing a shelf directly above the group of three and extending it across the wall to meet the old window. A number of interesting pieces of china placed on the shelf give it a character and weight which thus carries the eye along from one opening to the other without any consciousness of the break in height. This is but one of those ingenious methods by which remodeling is made successful. The large, old-fashioned fireplace is the center of interest in this room. At the right of it is a china closet with mullioned glass door, and on the left two narrower closets are found in the panel- ing. A new hardwood floor had to be laid, as the original one was in bad condition. The wainscot and woodwork throughout the house was un- usually good for such a small and unpretentious structure. After the former layers of paint had been removed and the wood thoroughly cleaned, it was finished in white. The walls, scraped down to the original plaster, were painted in a soft green flat -coat that was delightfully fresh and cool. Back of this large room was a small hallway leading into the ell at the back. At the left, space was taken for a bathroom. 1551 G REMODELED FARMHOUSES The kitchen was kept practically the same as in the old house. The rough stud and rafters were stained a dark brown, and the boards of the roof whitewashed. The walls were plastered to the height of the stud. A modern stove was attached to the old chimney flue on the outside of the build- ing. The exposed uprights provided an oppor- tunity for convenient shelves to be built for the various kitchen appliances. Up -stairs the entire floor was thrown into one room, instead of making several small, stuffy, sleeping apartments. The dormer which was cut in the front added not only to the light, air, and space of the room, but gave an opportunity for a most attractive window -seat to be built beneath the broad windows. The old, wide boards of the floor were in good condition and kept intact. The walls were plastered to the ridge, exposing the heavy tie -beams. Along the walls under the eaves, sets of drawers were built into the wood- work, thus obviating the necessity of having chiffoniers or chests of drawers to consume al- ready limited space. The rough bricks of the chimney, which breaks slantingly through the floor near the center of the room, are not con- cealed. Instead, they form a rather decorative 136] Ax OLD CAPE COD HousE — TFiE KjTcHrN 0 THE KITTREDGE HOUSE feature in the little apartment, and about the four sides of the flue shelves are built which serve as a dressing -table and a desk. The furnishings of the whole house are delight- fully simple and suggestive of the quaint Colonial period when it was built. Tables and chairs, pictures, mirrors, and china are interesting heir- looms that have been handed down in the family of the owner and preserve the spirit of the little cottage as admirably as do the various alterations which have made it so modern and habitable. 1371