Archive For April 24, 2018
67 Sugarloaf Street South Deerfield, MA
The Gass residence is a very rare, one and one half story version of Barber’s design 554, published in the “Art in Architecture” series of pattern books. This example retains a lot of original character elements although it could use some sympathetic restoration and preservation to keep it looking good.
Mr Gass was a carpenter/builder, so it is likely that he built this home for himself. It is unclear if he procured plans from Barber, or if he simply built this home using the pattern book as his guide.
389 Lowell Street Reading, MA
This lone Reading Massachusetts example is a slightly customized version of George Barber’s design 39, from the second edition of the “Modern Dwellings” series of pattern books. This home has a wonderful Entry Hall that presents a beautiful fireplace to you as you walk through the front door. This relatively small Victorian home is packed with character. The dormer configuration over the front porch is picturesque, to say the least. With the amber glow of its incandescent lights, at dusk, under a blanket of snow, Norman Rockwell should’ve been so lucky!
69 Prospect Street Gardner, MA
The Ames residence is one of the many surviving examples of Barber’s design no. 36 from the “Cottage Souvenir No. 2” pattern book, although this example is without the iconic “T” shaped support for the balcony roof. Historic photos exist for this gem, illustrating that this home was built very similarly to the published illustration. Perhaps someday, this home will get the restoration is deserves? This example features a rather large “Keyhole” shaped stain glass window at the stair landing. At about 6 feet tall, this window is a sight to behold when the sun pours into it.
134 Spring Street Brockton, MA
This Brockton Massachusetts home appears to be oddly out of place in it’s current setting. Barber originally created this design for construction on a narrow lot, which this house sits on. But this home sits back from the street, unlike it immediate neighbors. It is too bad because the exterior of this home still retains some character elements, so a different setting would do wonders for it’s curb appeal. Still, this unique home is an excellent example of this particular design, one of just 14 recorded to date.