EJ 3-Decker - MHC MACRISmhc-macris.net/Documents/WTH/PDFs/wth_184.pdf · Masovetsky of Winthrop's...

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FORM B -BUILDING Assessor' number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number I Recorded by Organization- * 1 * - 1 m *** I # \ *a Edward W. Gordon Winthrop CDO+Historic Comm Datc( month/day/year) September, 1993 S9 Town-Winthrop Place (neighborhood or village) Winthrop Beach Address 21 Sea Foam Avenue Historic Name E J - W h i t e 3-Decker Use: Present three family Original same Date of Construction C.1912 Source Winthrop Directories Style/Form Colonial Revival, rectangular 3-decker Architect/Builder undetermined Exterior Material Foundation concrete Wall wood shingles and wood trim Roof flat, tar and gravel? Outbuildings/Secondary Structures N/A Major Alterations (with dates) Very intact Condition good Moved j | yes | x | no Acreage less than one acre Setting. ocean. Densely built up side street, half block from

Transcript of EJ 3-Decker - MHC MACRISmhc-macris.net/Documents/WTH/PDFs/wth_184.pdf · Masovetsky of Winthrop's...

Page 1: EJ 3-Decker - MHC MACRISmhc-macris.net/Documents/WTH/PDFs/wth_184.pdf · Masovetsky of Winthrop's Tifareth Israel Congregation. The Congregation Tifereth Israel was organized on September

FORM B -BUILDING Assessor' number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number

I

Recorded by

Organization-

* 1

• * - 1 m •

***

I # \ *a

Edward W. Gordon

Winthrop CDO+Historic Comm

Datc( month/day/year) September, 1993

S9

Town-Winthrop

Place (neighborhood or village) Winthrop Beach

Address 21 Sea Foam Avenue

Historic Name E J - W h i t e 3-Decker

Use: Present three family

Original same

Date of Construction C.1912

Source Winthrop Directories

Style/Form Colonial Revival, rectangular 3-decker

Architect/Builder undetermined

Exterior Material

Foundation concrete

Wall wood shingles and wood trim Roof flat, tar and gravel?

Outbuildings/Secondary Structures N/A

Major Alterations (with dates) Very intact

Condition good

Moved j | yes | x | no

Acreage less than one acre

Setting. ocean.

Densely built up side street, half block from

Page 2: EJ 3-Decker - MHC MACRISmhc-macris.net/Documents/WTH/PDFs/wth_184.pdf · Masovetsky of Winthrop's Tifareth Israel Congregation. The Congregation Tifereth Israel was organized on September

I V T H

BUILDING FORM

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION I I see continuation sheet

Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community.

Architecturally, 21 Sea Foam Avenue represents a relatively rare Winthrop house type: the three decker. Further research may prove that this house type was actually discouraged in Winthrop deed restrictions Typically, in Boston neighborhhoods three decker construction was encouraged by the introduction of electric trolleys or commuter trains to a community during the late 19th century. Although Winthrop was linked more closely with Boston, Revere and Lynn by railroads constructed in the town during the last quarter of the 20th century, the three decker, for what ever reason did not become a common house type in Winthrop. Here and there.three deckers are scattered about Winthrop Beach and Winthrop Center and most of these structures post date c.1905. 21 Sea Foam Avenue rises three stories from a cement basement to a flat roof with denticulated and bracketed cornice . Stylistically, this house may be classified as Colonial Revival. It is completely clad with wood shingles. Its main facade features an octagonal bay and 3-bay entrance wall. Its side walls are three bays in length. The east wall features a center, 3-story octagonal bay. Returing to the main facade, the 3-story front porch exhibits square porch columns on each level. Interspersed between the posts on all three levels are railings with spool work balusters.Still intact is the original front door with a large oval pane.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE U j see continuation sheet

Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building and the role(s) the owners!occupants played within the community.

This building has significant historical associations with Winthrop's early 20th century Jewish community. During the 1930's, H. Leon Masovetsky, rabbi and Sidney A. Gordon "pastor" of Tifareth Israel Congregation at 235 Shirley Street, Winthrop.For many years, Rev. Msovetsky served as the only Spriritual Leader for the Jewish Community, being the Cantor. preacher at the synagogue, and Principal of the Hebrew School. During the 1860's and early 1870's, this house's lot was part of the Wheeler heirs extensive holdings at Winthrop Beach. In 1875, Dr. Samuel Ingalls of 51/53 Ingleside Avenue, Winthrop (see MHC Form) purchased this large tract and set out streets and house lots. By 1886, this lot and the adjacent lot to the west were owned by a Lawrence Terry. During the 1890's and early 1900's, this lot was owned by an E. J . White. This building was erected c.1912 , with White listed as the first owner. In 1913, White's tenant at 21 Sea Foam Avenue is listed as Frank Schwartz, salesman. He may have been numbered among the Jews who moved to Winthrop after a devastating fire in Chelsea , in 1908. In 1916, this 3-decker's occupants included Ida Schwartz and Lois J . Schwartz, student along with Sarah and Samuel Pfau, painter, (continued)

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES [ | see continuation sheet

Winthrop Maps / Atlases- 1873, 1886, 1896,1906 and 1914 Winthrop Directories-1911,1913,1916/17,1924,1936,1942 and 1947 William H. Clark's History of Winthrop-pages 218-220

Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.

Page 3: EJ 3-Decker - MHC MACRISmhc-macris.net/Documents/WTH/PDFs/wth_184.pdf · Masovetsky of Winthrop's Tifareth Israel Congregation. The Congregation Tifereth Israel was organized on September

INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston

Form No:

Property Name: 21 Sea Foam Avenue

Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.

Historical Narrative continued By 1924, this house's tenants included Gertrude and David Goldman, shoe repairman, Etta and myer

M. Lurie, hotel clerk and Ethel Smith widow and nurse. (continued)By 1936, residents living here included Ida and Max Katz, furniture dealer at 235 Shirley Street, Winthrop, Rebecca and Harry Kaufman, (no occupation) and the aforementioned Sidney a. Gordon, "pastor" and H. Leon Masovetsky of Winthrop's Tifareth Israel Congregation. The Congregation Tifereth Israel was organized on September 9, 1912. The much altered original Congregation Tifereth Israel at Pearl and Shirley Streets was dedicated on December 5,1926. Preacher and Cantor H. Leon Masovetsky came to the new temple in 1927. A man of unlimited energy, he worked to increase the enrollment in the Hebrew School. He succeeded in raising the school's enrollment from 40 children to over 160 children. This school became a 5-day week school for over 125 children, a three day week school of 35 and a Sunday School of over 100. Under Rabbi Masovetsky's leadership, a Library in Judaica was created to serve the greater Boston area Jewish community. The Jewish population in Winthrop grew from about 200 families in 1927, to over 800 families by the early 1950's. Additionally, under Preacher Masovetsky's leadership, a Zionist District was organized in Winthrop in 1935 and by the early 1950's had become one of the most important Zionist Districts in New England. Winthrop's Zionist District played a role in the creation of the Jewish State of Israel during the late 1940's. During World War II, the Jewish community of Winthrop, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Leon Masovetsky, served Forts Banks, Heath and Dawes by instituting special services for Jewish servicemen every Friday night. Additionally. Mrs Masovetsky and her committee served the solgiers an elaborate Sabbath meal in the Community center. Although no figures are available, it appears that the Jewish population is in decline in Winthrop as the younger people move further out into the suburbs and the older people retire elsewhere or pass away. Returning to the story of the later owners of 21 Sea Foam Avenue, it should be noted that during the 1940's, the Max Katz' of the 30's are still listed at 21 Sea Foam Avenue. Max Katz' business is listed as "used furniture, 120 Shirley Street. The Kofmans are still listed here as well, including Rebecca and Larry, a bank teller at 499 Shirley Street, Winthrop, Allen Kofman, U.S. Army and Norman Kaufman, chauffer. Also living here were Isadore Hoffman, car cleaner, Joseph hoffman stock clerk at Woolworth's in Boston and Murray Hoffman, salesman.