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HomeMy WebLinkAboutContinuation Sheet - 64 E Main.pdfN.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet Address: 64 East Main Street Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg Narrative Description of Property 7.1 r r • f � k U LY a ar ILCHUAMIC RNLI QTY The end -gabled two-story structure retains several architectural features indicative of the Greek Revival style, particularly returns and a three -light fixed transom in the inset door surround on the street (north) facade. It is very similar is scale and massing to the adjacent 66 E. Main Street. The main (north) fagade has four 6/6 light double -hung sash wood windows and one 2/2 light double -hung sash wood window, which was visible in a Tompkins County Planning Department 1977 photograph. The west fagade contains eight 6/6 light double - hung sash wood windows, and one 9/9 light double -hung sash wood window. These may not be the original sash, as indicated by a 1977 architectural survey. The majority of windows are covered with aluminum storm windows. A brick chimney towards the north end of the roof remains, while a second brick chimney (visible in 1977 photograph) was subsequently removed. The roof is clad with asphalt shingles. The fagade was clad with vinyl siding post -1977 and it is unknown whether the original clapboard was removed or retained. A flagstone landing and steps on the street (north) fagade was added ca. 1950, as was the wrought -iron railing. Porches on the rear (south) facade were enclosed and rear steps added, both at an unknown date. The structure shares a gable roof at the south facade with adjoining 66 E. Main and a narrow alley runs between the two buildings. Originally they shared a common driveway, but it was blocked by an addition to 66 E. Main ca. 1960. The covering of the fagade in vinyl has significantly reduced its architectural and historical integrity. Narrow pilasters mentioned in the 1977 survey have also been covered up or removed. Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet Address: 64 East Main Street Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg Narrative Description of Property (continued) The Tompkins County Real Property database indicates that the 64 and 66 E. Main are combined into a single tax parcel and are situated on .17 acres. Narrative Description of Significance The 1977 architectural survey (Goldstein and Webinzky, 1977) concluded that this is one of the oldest buildings in the Village and may have originally served as a barn or other commercial building. It was constructed ca. 1828 by David Trembley, based on an abstract provided by then -owner Edna Newell to the 1977 surveyors. The main block of the building is very similar in form and massing to the adjacent 66 N. Main, and the ownership history suggests these buildings were owned and managed as a pair. Historical records and interviews suggest that both buildings were relocated from the rear of the property prior to 1860 (Goldstein and Webinzky, 1977). Edna Newell's abstract refer to the building as a "store -house" built by David Trembly ca. 1828. (The exact date is unclear.) Abner Treman (namesake of Trumansburg) was the first owner of the land, selling the present plot as part of a larger parcel to Hermon Camp, a prominent local businessman and property owner (Goldstein and Webinzky, 1977). The building has a rich Masonic historical connections (Goldstein and Webinzky, 1977). On June 9, 1818, eight men received a charter from the Grand Lodge of Free Masons in New York City. The organization, Fidelity Lodge #309, prospered and quickly claimed between 142 and 151 members by 1826. (Accounts differ on the exact number.) In 1826, several men of the Batavia Masonic Order were accused of killing William Morgan, who joined the organization to expose its ceremonial secrets. Anti -masons claimed that Morgan was killed by the Masons for publishing "The Mysteries of Free Masonry" (1852, later edition), although his body was never uncovered and rumors circulated that he actually fled back home to Canada. Nevertheless, this incident inciting an anti -Masonic fervor that swept the nation. Trumansburg's lodge was greatly impacted by the anti -Masonic movement. The Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York (1908) discusses the hostilities in detailing, particularly noting an event they call a "riot" on St. James Day in July 1827. The book states that the Masons were proceeding from the quarters (location not specified) towards the Presbyterian Church for a special service, as the Presbyterian pastor was a member. Along the way they were antagonized by an angry crowd and were only able to preform their service under the protection of more tolerant men. Due to the St. James incident and the general difficulties associated with Masonry in this period, including a raid of the headquarters in 1829, membership in Fidelity 309 plummeted to twelve highly respected civic and business leaders. These men were Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 2 N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet Address: 64 East Main Street Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg Narrative Description of Significance (continued) reportedly known as the "Twelve Apostles": Nichol Halsey, Elias and Nathaniel Ayres, Milo Van Dusen (or Duzen), David and James McLallen, Philomon Thompson, Uriel Turner, John Creque, Lyman Strowbridge, Henry Taylor, and Isaac Watts Hart. For the next two decades (post -1829 raid), they convened in secret locations, including the upper floor of 64 E. Main Street. Many lodges forfeited their charters during this period, and Trumansburg appears to have been one of the few (Sears claims it was the only) to retain its charter and continue functioning, albeit in secret. (Proceedings, 1908; Sears, 1978). In 1855, Lewis Rigg sold the properties to Daniel Elmore. In 1894, Emmons Williams sold both to Cornell University, which used them to house workers employed at Cornell's property at Willard, NY. On November 15, 1900, Cornell sold the property (along with 64 E. Main) to Orlando Newell, father-in-law of Edna Newell (owner as of December 1976). During the early 201h century (ca. 1920), the building functioned as "Newell's Tourist Home" (Goldstein and Webinzky, 1977). Current deed information: Deed Book 643, Deed Page 481. Figure 1: Main (north) and west facades Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 3 N.Y. Historic Resource Inventory Form - Continuation Sheet Address: 64 East Main Street Village/Hamlet: Trumansburg Sources: Goldstein, Carol and Tania Werbizky. "Newell's Tourist Home, 64 E Main Street," NY Building Structure Inventory Form, Division for Historic Preservation. Albany, NY, Spring 1977. Morgan, William, and George R. Crafts. The mysteries of free masonry: containing all the degrees of the order conferred in a master's lodge. New York: Wilson and Co, 1852. Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York. New York: Press of J.J. Little and Ives Co, 1908: 155-156. Sears, Lydia. A History of Trumansburg, New York, 1792-1967. Location unknown: I -T Publishing Corp, 1978. Tompkins County. "Property Description Report For: 64-66 Main St E, Municipality of V. Trumansburg." Image Mate Online. Accessed June 18, 2014. Compiled by Katelin Olson, August 15, 2014 4