Historic and otherwise notable buildings in and around Boston

[statler]

A thread to talk about all them old buildings we got lying around that don't really deserve a thread of their own. Restored, preserved or in need there of.

Boston.com - June 7, 2011
Student project aims to get Roslindale Library on National Register of Historic Places

(photo by Maggie Redfern)

By Kim Foley MacKinnon, Town Globe Correspondent

Maggie Redfern, a student at the Landscape Institute at the Boston Architectural College, is working on getting the almost 50-year-old Roslindale Branch of the Boston Public Library onto the National Register of Historic Places as her final project.

To be eligible for the National Register, there are several criteria buildings must meet. This September, the library will turn 50, usually the minimum age for consideration. The National Register is an inventory of recognized historic structures, sites and districts. There are more than 80,000 listings.

In working on her project, Redfern discovered that no branch libraries in Boston are individually listed on the National Register, but that the central branch at Copley Square, which opened in 1895, was added to the Register in 1973 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

Redfern calls the Roslindale branch a ?gem of a library? and says in her extensive research she could not find any libraries in the United States with its unique semi-circular shape, which she says was inspired by the science and technology of the times. In 1957, the year plans were begun for the library, Sputnik was launched into orbit. Redfern even discovered that the theme for the summer reading club at the library the first summer it was open was ?Getting Into Orbit.?

Today, the library still retains original architectural features including built-in cabinetry, bookcases and a geometrical ?sunburst? sculpture suspended from the dome. It also has many of its original blue-tinted glass windows. From a distance, it's easy to see its space age influences. You might think that the Jetsons, if they read books, would be patrons.

Redfern said she hopes to work with the Friends of the Roslindale Library on some upgrades for the building, such as removing the vertical blinds, which are not original and are often left closed because they don't open easily. She thinks motorized blinds would be a nice touch.

?This is a modern library,? said Redfern. ?I don?t think the architects would mind.?

Redfern will be speaking about the building?s history on June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the
Roslindale Branch Library, 4232 Washington Street.

 

[Pierce]

Among the Boston Branch libraries there are some great examples of quirky midcentury architecture by local/regional architects, but I'm curious what rates this particular one for registration. And I'm a bit dubious at the mention of its form as novel: circular, googie libraries aren't that difficult to find, just off-hand I can think of one in Quincy nearby.

But I'm happy to see a branch library getting some love (and money)

 

[shmessy]

I found this to be fascinating:

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/newton/gallery/victorian_houses/?camp=misc:on:inside:newton

The Globe did a great job on this little known but remarkable story. This woman built 16 victorian homes in Newton Highlands in the 1800's - - 15 of which still exist.

 

[JohnAKeith]

Article in this week's Boston Courant talks about guy (Calvin Arey is his name) who has submitted paperwork to Boston Landmarks Commission to landmark four buildings, all in The Fenway. YMCA, Jordan Hall (is that it's name, at NEC?), Symphony Hall, and .... I forgot, I think Horticultural Hall?

He is, not that you'd be surprised, against the Y selling part of its holdings to Grandmarc to build the Northeastern dorm.

The article says he won't stop here; he will soon submit paperwork to landmark the MFA, among other buildings.

 

[statler]

Symphony Hall isn't landmarked? Wow.

 

[Lurker]

Those properties aren't landmarked because the owners don't want them to be. It's a big headache to deal with when running a public building and needed to do updates to allow for day to day operations.

YMCA - is partially landmarked, except for crappy additions on the back

Jordan Hall - isn't landmarked because it's a performance venue and needs to be altered over time to allow it function as a good venue

Symphony - Same as Jordan Hall

Horticultural Hall - The CSC owns it and sure as hell wouldn't want any more wrenches thrown in their plaza redevelopment.

MFA - same as Symphony and Jordan Hall, we wouldn't have Sir Foster's addition without a lot of gymnastics if it was landmarked.

This clown is trying to be an uber NIMBY and dragging unrelated people into his fight. The property owners' lawyers are going to ruin him financially for wasting their time.

 

[palindrome]

When I was much younger, I got hit by a car crossing the street to go to the Roslindale library once lol.

 

[Boston02124]

Is that what happen to you lol! Oh yeah this is'nt FB!

 

[Eiselic]

Maggie Redfern is speaking again about her research on the Roslindale Library and its architects (Richmond & Goldberg) on November 9, at 6:30pm. I think its the same talk as in June. These architects also designed the Branch Library and round housing towers at Egleston Square, and the temple at Putterham Circle in Brookline. Goldberg's modernist residence (Allandale Rd) just got torn down a few months ago by a developer who is replacing it with three McMansions. The talk is at the Rozzie Library.

 

[Eiselic]

Becoming a National or State Historic Landmark is quite different that being put on the Nation Register of Historic Places. Landmark Status is rarely awarded and the standards are very high while the National Register is merely an inventory of historic places and does not create any restrictions towards future changes or demolition. Also, the owners do not get to decide whether a building is landmarked or put on the register.

 

[Ron Newman]

If a building is on the National Register, federal funds cannot be used to demolish it.

 

[Eiselic]

Getting Landmark status for a building makes government funds (incl. tax credits) available for fixing it up, but this money comes with restrictions towards keeping the building historic attributes intact. I think its similar for buildings on the state or national register. Such funds are for helping to preserve our cultural resources, like historic buildings. This is why such funds cannot be used to demolish a building.