Wells House


  • Address: 568 W Main St
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Building

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The Wells House, located on the road to Williamstown (now Route 2), was built by Orson Wells, who came to North Adams in 1815, and built an acid-producing factory (no longer extant) near the present building. Acid was critical to the tanning and woolen industry, and Wells and his son, Daniel, were also involved in the textile manufacturing enterprises that grew up in the adjoining industrial community of Braytonville. As late as 1894, Daniel Wells owned 160 acres around this house, one of the oldest in the area. The house itself remained in the Wells family until 1968. Surrounding buildings, most of 20th century construction, testify to the increased development in the area located miles west of North Adams' core.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

The house is architecturally significant as a rare surviving local example of a Greek Revival farmhouse with distinctive architectural features. The building is five bays wide, 2 and a half stories in height, with a central entrance, reflecting a traditional plan. Particularly unusual are the attenuated Doric pilasters delineating each bay of the north, east and west elevations. These pilasters, which support a frieze beneath the cornice of the roof, have entasis carved in their profiles. The main entrance is ornamented with four pilasters, sidelights and transom. Also, each gable end has a full pediment. - NRHP, July 1985


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Wells House
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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1840/00/00 Wells House is built for Orson Wells.

Data »

Particulars for Wells House:
Area of Significance Architecture
Criteria Architecture-Engineering
Sight Category Building
Architectural Style Greek Revival
Area of Significance Industry
Criteria Person
Owner Private
Historic Use Single dwelling



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration:

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name:
Registry Address:
Registry Number: 85003393
Resource Type:
Owner: Private
Architect: unknown
Architectural Style: Greek revival
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: Local
Area of Significance: Industry, Architecture
Applicable Criteria: Architecture-Engineering, Person
Period of Significance: 1825-1849
Significant Year: c 1840
Associated People: Wells,Orson
Historic Function: Domestic
Historic Sub-Function: Single dwelling
Current Function: Domestic
Current Sub-Function: Single dwelling

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