Form 10-300July 1969

II

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

¶ STATE:

Rhode Island. .

COUNTY:

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESINVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM

Type all entries - completeapplicablesections

ProvidenceFOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATE

t. . .. ...::H.

COMMON

Arnold-Palmer HouseAND/OR HISTORI C:

Arnold Daniel House

LOCATtO NSTREET AND NUMBER:

33 Chestnut StreetCITY OR TOWN:

ProvidenceSTATE

Rhode IslandCODE COUNTY:

Providencelii CL ASSI F ICAT ION

___________________________________ ______________ ____________

CODE

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CATEGORYchock One

OWNERSHIP STATUS ACCESSIBLE.

TO THE PUBLIC

E District Building

C Site C *tructure

C Object

.

C Public Public Acquisition:

X Private C In Process

C Both C Being Considered

Occupied

C Unoccupied

c Proservalion workn progress

Yes:Restrictod

C Unrestricted

C No

PRESENT USE check One or More as Appropriate

fl Agricultural C Government C Pork Transportation C Comments

C Commercial C Industriol Private Residence - Other Specify

Educotionol C Military Religious

C Entertainment P Museum C Scientific

V/NE R OF PROP E PT?

-1

OWNERS N ÂME:

Beneficent Congregational Church.

. .

CODE

I

STREET AND NUMBER:

300 WeybossetStreet ,

CITY OR TOWN:

ProvidenceGE 5F AR PTION

STATE:

.Rhode. Island

.

c5LIñrROUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS. ETc:

City HallSTREET AND NUMBER:

Dorrance and Washington StreetsCITY OR TOWN:

ProvidenceSTATE

Rhode IslandCODE

144*

V REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS - -

- TI n.E OF SURVEY:

DATE OF SURVEY: C Fedorol State C County fl LocalDEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS; -

STREET AND NUMBER; J -

CITY OR TOWN: STATE: CODE

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CONDITIONExcellent El Good flJ Fo!r El Dotorioratod El Ruins El Linoxposod

Check One Chock One

Altered El Unalterod Moved Origir-ol Site

DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL ifknown PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

The Arnold-Palmer house,a handsomebrick single residence of theFederal period, was built about 1826 by Daniel Arnold, a wealthy Providence merchant. The house has been stylistically attributed to JohnHolden Greene, Providence architcct, who designed St. John’s Cathedral,tho First Unitarian Church, the important Sullivan Dorr house and anumber of other dwellings. On its original location at 577 WestminsterStreet, the Arnold-Palmer house completeda series of four similarhouses, all of which Norman N. Isham attributed’to Greene. This is the

only house of that group still extant.

The brick house, with its cubical mass, its five-hay tàdth, its hiproof with monitor, and its four tall exterior chimneys symmetricallyplaced, is very close in appearanceto the Truman Becktgith house whichGreene is known to have designed in th&’Cb1lee Hill Historic Districtabout 1825. The walls are of pressedbrick with thin bands of darkenedmortar and rest on a rebuilt granite foundation. They are pierced bysix-over-six douh1e-hun sashwindows withplain brownstone lintels andsills; the original exterior shutters are missing. Like the Beckwith -

house and other local residencesby Greene, the structure is capped bya hip of with monitor. The wide, elegant main cornice is embellishedby a series df balls strung on a straight rod, and it is visually joinedto the wall by carved v oden guttae directly applied to the brick sur-face. Such a design for the main cornice shas an innovative use ofAsher Benjamin’s publications by the architect. The original balustrades ccrowning thc, roof and monitor, which are now missing, were -composedofsimple wooden oanels inserted above plain surfaces between rows qfturned halusters above wail openings. - .. -

The primary decorative feature of the exterior is the central 0

front entrance, treated as a unit with the central window on the secondfloor. The heavy, six-panel door, with a semi-elliptical fanlight andsidelights, is encasedby a handed, Gothic-colonnette jamb mouldingwhich is carried over the fanlight, another characteristic of Greene’s‘work of the neriod. The entrance is sheltered by a one-story shallowportico supported on slender, unfluted double columns with Ionic capitals;it is capped by a low., balustrade. A wrought iron railing runs aroundthe granite base and down stairs at either side. The central second-sty window above had been extensively remodelled and was replaced in1968 by a window salvaged from Greene’s Easton house in. Pawtucket, RhodeIsland, a house very similar in date, scale, and style. It is tripartite and generally of Palladian inspiration, but a semi-elliptical, leadedfanlight spans the entire width. As in the Beclc4th house, the designof this window virtually repeats that of the entrance below.

Considering,the multiple uses through which the house has been putas its neighborhood becamecommercialized and :dberiorated, the interioris in a remarkably fine state of preservation. As in other John HoldenGreene houses, this interior is characterized by a broad simplicity of

See Continuation Sheet.

1Form 1O-300o UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE

July 1969 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES COUNTY

- ProvidenceINVFNTOPY . NOMINATION FORM- .

‘ FOR NPSUSE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATEContrnuatzonSheet

Number all entries

7. Description.

detail, the chief architectural feature a beautiful, delicately ornamented,curving staircase. The staircase rises along one aide of the central hail-iay, shaly curving at the top into the second-storyhall. The attcratedsquare halustor sticks support aslender moulded handrail which winds intothe newel at the base of the stairs. The riser end of the stairs are decorated with intricate Adam fan details, similar to those in Greene’sSullivan Don’ house on Benefit Street.

The four principal rooms on the first story retain their originaldimensions. While the exterior fireplaces in the rear rooms remain closed,those in the front rooms were openedin 1968 and decoratedwith mantelsfrom the Easton house. The rather high mantel shelves are supported on

- simple Doric columns; block panels decorate the frieze. They are correctin style and scale for this house and must closely resemble the originals.Other interior detailing is sparse, except for the floor-length panellingof the splayed window reveals which still contain the original interiorshutters. The fine plaster cornices of these rooms are still intact.

Original detail remains on the second story, although these roomshave been partitioned and somewhatremodelled to accommodateoffices. Athird fireplace from the Easton house has been installed on this floorand is similar in design to those of the first story; this one is exe-’cuted in beautiful white and dark gray marble. Several magnificent Vic- ‘

torian gilt chandeliers nàw hang.in these rooms. The third story hasbeen remodelledas an anartmont, and tho new, foundation allows for rest- -

rooms and a la±ge ‘finished hall in the basement.’

GPO 90t.U82

1

ftIGNiF:l’CANCE

______________

PERIOO Check One or More as Appropriate

El Pre-Columbian El 16th Contury El 18th Century El 20th Century

El 15th Century El 17th Century 19th Century

‘SPECIFIC DATEISI If Applicable and Known 12ôAREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE Chock One or More as Approprfald

Abor gino1 El Education El Political El Urban Planning

0 Prehistoric El Engineering Roligion/P}i El Other Specify

El Historic El Industry losophy

________________________

El Agriculture [3- Invention [3 Science

________________________

Architecture El Landscape El Sculpture

________________________

[3 Art - Architecture El Social/Humon_

________________________

[3 Commerce [3 Literature tarian

________________________

O Communications o Military 0 Theater

________________________

0 Conservation El Music El Transportation

________________________

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFIcANcE

The Arnold-Palmer house is an excellent example of late Federalarchitecture cC the highestquality; it has been well preserved andpartially restored. The.fanlighted entrance, with portico, and thecurving interior staircase are superb features. Details--such as theelaborate,exterior cornice, the carved riser ends of the main stair-

o case, and the’ fine mantels that were salvaged from another of John- Holden Greene’sworks--are of hish quality and display that architect’sI- , skill. The structure ismarked by outstanding builders’ worlcnanshipo ‘throughout.

This househas, today, great significance in the WeybossetHillarea of downtown Providence. In the early 19th century WeybossetHill

F- was the most important commercial and residential section of Provi- dence, and the Arnold-Palmer house was typical of the fine homes being

erected there. Gradual commercialization and near-slum conditions,- and more recent urban renewalhave,destroyed this historic area.

Slated for demolition, the house was urchasedby Beneficent Congre-LU gational Church and moved down the hill onto church property in 1967,w with the aid of a U. S. Housing and Urban Develonthnt grant. The

Arnold-Palmer house thus remains a solo example of tho Weybossetarea’sresidential architecture in its finest period. In its present locationit helps to maintain the integrity of Beneficent Congregational:‘Ohurch,an historically and architecturally significant structure in its ownright, and its immediate surroundings--which, fortunately, that churchoursalso.

[9. MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

______________

LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES

DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY DEFINING THE CENTER’POINT OF A PROPERTYOF LESS THAN TEN ACRES

LATITUDE

Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds0 . . 0

Dc roes. Minutes

l0 b9Seconds

09NDegrees

7joMinutes

21ySeconds

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STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE

STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE

STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE

STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE

III. Consultant.. DATE

Historical Preservation Commission April 3, 1971

STATE CODE

Rhode Island, 02903 111t

CERTIFCA ION NATIONAL REGISTER VER1EICATION

Liaison Officer or the Na-

Act of 1966 Public Law

,

I hereby certify that this property is included in the

this property for inclusion National Register. -

certify that it has been ‘

criteria and procedures set

Service. The recommended.,,

nomination is:

‘ ‘ ‘ -

Chief, Office of Archeology and Historic Presetvat ion

El Local El -

Date

ATTEST:

.

‘ Keeper of The National Register

Date

ci-

C ORNER

NY/

ME

SESW

LONGITUDE

0

0

LATI DUDE

0

0

0

LONGITUDE

APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: Less than one acreLIST ALL ST ATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARI ES

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STREET AND NUMBER:

State House, 90 Smith Street

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UNITED STATES DEFAflMtNJ OI 1HEINIEJ<IUF<NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Rhode Island

I’ATIONAL REGISTER OF S0RC PLACESCOUNTY

providencePROPERTY ?UCTOC?H FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATEype all entries - .aci to or enclosew:: photograph

...:..

I ........ .

o COMMON: Arnold-Palmer House- lAND/OR HIST0RIC:Arnold Danie HouseI- [ LOCATION

STREET AND NUMBER:

3 Ohest StreetCITY OR TON:

oviceceSTATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE

Rhode Island Providence UUj

j poToRENc:- JPHOTO CREDIT: Clifford M. Reushaw, III

DATE OF PHOTO: 1971ET IOAT:Rhode Island Historical Preservation Commission,

w State House, 90 Smith Street Providence, R. I., 029034 IDENTIFICA

DESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, ETC.

Exterior in new location, upon new foundation.

ATONAL EGISTR OF -S.ORIC ?LACS

PO?ET’ CT3A?:. :=3:..

Type all entries - &. .ch to or enclosewith photograph

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LCOMMON: ‘riox1-Palrner Ho" so

‘D/OR HISTORIC: Arnold .niel HousecATION

STREET AND NUMBER:

33 Chestnut StreetCITY OR TOWN:

ProvideceSTATE: CODE COUNTY: CC

Rhode Island I Providence

PFOTO RPERENCEPHOTO CREDIT: Clifford M. Renshaw, IIIDATE OF PHOTO: 1971

bEGATIVEFILED AT:Rhode Island i-iistorical Preservation Commission,

State House, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903

________________________________

*::.. .:.:.:: **. ::.....

‘DEC bE VIEW. DIRECTION. ETC.

Detail of front staircase.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

STATE

Rhode IslandCOUNTY

ProvidenceFOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATE

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STATEUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNATIONAL PARK SERVICE

O.:.i.. REG:.TE OF ‘.,STOR1C ?L.-CES

PROPE’[ P1OTCGR.-H -ORM

Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith photograph

Rhode IslandCOUNTY

ProvidenceFOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATE

I1 NAE . .::. ... . .. : ::: .::..

COMMON:Arnold-Palmer House

AND/OR HISTORIC: Arnold Daniel House_LOCA T ION

STREET AND NUMBER:

33 ChestnutStreetCITY OR TOWN:

ProvidenceSTATE:

Rhode IslandHOTO REFERENCE

HOTO CREDIT: Clifford M. Renshaw, IIIDATE OF PHOTO: 1971

1NEGATIVE FILED AT: Rhode Island Historical Preservaton teommission,State House. 90 Smith Street, Providence. R. I., 02903

I DENT cATIOrDESCRIBE VIEW. DIRECTION, CTC

Mantel on seco’nd floor, brought fro the Easton house in Pawtucket,designed by John Holden Greene.

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Type all entries - attach to or enclosewith map

Form 1Q-3O [STATE

July 969 L Rhode IslandCOUNTY

ProvidenceFOR NPS USE ONLY

ENTRY NUMBER DATEIn

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jjNAME. ...... . .L/: . .. .COMMON: Arnold-Palmer HouseAND/OR HISTORIC: Arnold Daniel House

JOCA1 OSTREET AND NUM BER:

FChestnut Street

CITY OR TOWN:

ProvidenceSTATE: I CODE COUNTY: / CODE

Rhode Island Providence hcT7P REFERENCE

SOURCE:

U. S. Geological Sursiey

SCALE: 1 21t,000DATE: 1957

N.: . ./ .: . :- .

TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS

1. Property broundaries where required.

2. North arrow.

3. Latitude and longitude reference.