Greenfield Reconnaissance Report - MA Heritage Landscapes ...

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Town Common AreaThe area of downtown that includes the town common, Court Square and Bank Row has beenidentified as a Priority Heritage Landscape by community members because of its historicalsignificance as the center of civic activities in Greenfield. This heritage landscape includesbuildings adjacent to and visible from the common, including the Pushkin Gallery, the stretch ofbuildings on the east side of the common where Federal street meets Routes 5 and 10, a stretchof road referred to as “Bank Row”, and the unique and important buildings on the west side ofthe common which include the McCarthy Funeral Home (William Coleman House), the SecondCongregational Church and the Town Hall. This area is considered the core of downtown,centering on the common. While the downtown landscape is larger, this central core is thecomponent expressed by the community to have the most significance as a Priority HeritageLandscape. This Priority Heritage Landscape is included within a historic district on theNational Register of Historic Places. This larger area, called the Main Street Historic District,was listed in 1988 and includes Main Street between Chapman and Hope Streets and along BankRow (See page 28 for listing of other historic districts listed on the National Register of HistoricPlaces in the downtown area and elsewhere in town).Greenfield Town CommonThe town common on Main Streetin downtown Greenfield hashistorically been the focal point forcivic activities in Greenfield. Priorto the establishment of this center,the township’s common was atTrap Plain, now called FourCorners. Throughout its history,the common has played a centralrole in the daily life of Greenfield’sGreenfield Town Common and Bank Rowresidents. Firemen drew waterfrom a well on the common to fight fires, and horses drank from a public trough. County fairswere once held here, and in 1870, a monument was erected to honor Civil War veterans fromGreenfield. In the 1920s, the tradition was started of creating ice sculptures on the common forthe annual winter carnival and it has hosted a nativity scene at Christmas over the years as well. 7The common continues to be the hub of civic and commercial activity, with important town andcommercial buildings and busy streets surrounding it on all sides.In 2007, the town common was considered for intersection improvements by the townDepartment of Public Works to utilize available Massachusetts Highway Department Funds.7 Massachusetts Historical Commission form 99, 1984Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory Program 6Greenfield Reconnaissance Report
The process that follows shows the importance of the town common as an historic heritagelandscape in the community. These improvements were to include the reduction of one of thecorners of the common area to provide new traffic signals and a greater turning radius for trucks.The Greenfield Historical Commission met with the town engineer to verify the extent of thechanges that these improvements would have had on the appearance of the town common, whichthe Historical Commission considers a valuable resource to the community. It was found thatthis plan would substantially reduce the green space of the common, alter its classic shape, andremove one of the few mature trees on the common. Formal comments from the GreenfieldHistorical Commission were submitted to the Mayor, Town Engineer, and MassachusettsHistorical Commission which supported the plan, with the exception of the corner modification,due to its insufficient utility and unacceptable community impacts. The coordination betweenvarious interests has made this a model project, with the intention of achieving a proper balancebetween good traffic management, historic preservation, and community values.Town HallGreenfield Town HallThe Greenfield Town Hall was built in 1848 as thesecond county courthouse by Isaac Damon, an importantarchitect and bridge builder from Northampton. ThisGreek Revival building has been twice renovated over theyears. In 1873 the building was sheathed in brick to meetfire and safety codes, and the roof was raised and gothicdetails added, transforming the original building. In1954, the building was again renovated and elevatorswere added. 8 Town Hall has served various civic andcommunity functions over the years. It was the firstcourthouse for Greenfield, has provided space for TownMeetings and other civic meetings and events andcurrently holds most municipal offices. Needs for thebuilding include roof replacement, electrical work, andplumbing. There is also a need for more municipal officespace and meeting space.Second Congregational ChurchThe Second Congregational Church was formed in 1817 by members from the First Church atTrap Plain and is located between the Coleman-Hollister House/McCarthy Funeral Home andTown Hall. This Gothic Revival building, designed by Richards & Park of Boston, was built ofGreenfield stone along with the addition of a Parish Hall in 1868, replacing Isaac Damon's 1819building. In 1912 there was an addition to the Parish Hall and the Russell Memorial Chapel was8 Massachusetts Historical Commission form 100, 1984Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory Program 7Greenfield Reconnaissance Report
Page 1 and 2: Greenfield Reconnaissance ReportCon
Page 3 and 4: INTRODUCTIONHeritage landscapes are
Page 5 and 6: station and depot located in the do
Page 7: Massachusetts Heritage Landscape In
Page 11 and 12: William Coleman House, 1934 Histori
Page 13 and 14: the bank has always been run by mem
Page 15 and 16: the Historic Commission, Local Hist
Page 17 and 18: Franklin County FairgroundsThe Fair
Page 19 and 20: to use the same roof style and colo
Page 21 and 22: Massachusetts Heritage Landscape In
Page 23 and 24: elated to the byway and the potenti
Page 25 and 26: Council for conservation purposes a
Page 27 and 28: Massachusetts Heritage Landscape In
Page 29 and 30: Without permanent protection of thi
Page 31 and 32: 6. The Town might consider adopting
Page 33 and 34: PART II: PLANNING FOR HERITAGE LAND
Page 35 and 36: High, E. Main and Franklin Streets.
Page 37 and 38: IMPLEMENTATIONSTATUSCOMMUNITY PLANN
Page 39 and 40: IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIESOutreach,
Page 41 and 42: RESOURCES:Draft Overview of Economi
Page 43 and 44: APPENDIX A: GREENFIELD HERITAGE LAN

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