FHR-8-300 (11-78)

United States Department of the Interior

Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service
National Register of Historic Places
Inventory Nomination Form
See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms
Type all entries complete applicable sections
For HCRS use only
. .
received
date entered MAY 1 5 1981
1. Name
historic WHITE FARM
and/or common WHITE FARM
2. Location
street & number #144 Clinton Street
city, town Concord vicinity of congressional district
state New Hampshire code 33 county Merrimack
not for publication f~
Second
code 013
3. Classification
Category Ownership Status Present Use
district X public X occupied X agriculture
X building(s) private unoccupied commercial
structure both work in progress educational
site Public Acquisition Accessible entertainment
object in process X yes: restricted X government
being considered yes: unrestricted industrial
no military
museum
park
private residence
religious
scientific
transportation
other:
4. Owner of Property
name State of New Hampshire
street & number see continuation sheet
city, town Concord vicinity of state
New Hampshire (
5. Location of Legal Description
courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Merrimack County Registry of Deeds, Merrimack County Courthouse
street & number
North Main Street, PO Box #248
city, town
Concord
state
New Hampshire
6. Representation in Existing Surveys
title
N/A
has this property been determined elegible? __yes __no
date federal __state __county local
depository for survey records
city, town state
7 ,
Condition
excellent /
good
X fair
deteriorated
ruins
unexposed
Check one
unaltered
_JL_altered
Check one
X original site
moved date
Describe the present and o rig inal ( if f kno wn) physical appearance
The White Farm complex, located on the northwesterly side of Clinton Street (NH Route #13)
in Concord, New Hampshire, is an interrelated grouping of residential and agricultural
buildings surrounded by 136 acres of woodland and open fields some still cultivated for
corn and hay, others left fallow interspersed with wetlands and small watercourses. The
physical integrity of the structures and their setting is all the more remarkable because
the property is less than two miles from the New Hampshire state house, less than a mile
from Interstate #89, .and.- , _ faces, ; .a majox highway providing access to the city from/the west.
It is, therefore, a critical area both for its personal and architectural associations, and
as a major example of historical land- use in the city of Concord.
The nominated property includes several structures, as described below:
Nathaniel and Armenia White Residence (//14 4 Clinton Street) :
The house is a well- preserved example, of mid- nineteenth century vernacular Greek Revival
architecture. It appears that the original structure consisted of a 2% story gable- front
main house, facing south onto Clinton Street, with a single- story longitudinal rear ell;
a transverse wing was added to the west side at a later date (ca. 1880- 1910, from internal
evidence), and a small enclosed room (incorporated into the kitchen/service areas) was
placed on the rear elevation at an unknown date.
Greek Revival influence is evident in the simplicity of the 3- bay facade. An inset open
porch, 1 bay wide by 2 bay deep (removable insect screening panels were added later) is
used on the east side in place of the more typical side hall entrance; the entrance to the
house opens off the., porch, ^parallel to the .facade, thus combining the advantages of a
central- hallway floor plan with gable- to- the- street orientation. The exterior trim (project-
ing box cornice, flat fascia, cornerboards, window and door surrounds) is made up of plain
sawn lumber with minimal applied moulding, suggesting the use of factory- made elements
rather than hand- crafted piecework.
The lower edge of the porch frieze is shaped into partial ellipses, springing between each
of the porch posts; each bay of the frieze is also emphasized with applied sawn margin bands.
The posts (actually, two antae and two free- standing columns) are enclosed in plain wooden
casing, approximately square in section, with simple mouldings used at the top to suggest
capitals. The effect is one of Federal taste expressed in a Greek Revival vocabulary. The
main house, longitudinal ell, and rear projection rest on split- face granite blocks (perhaps
quarried locally) with randomly- placed 1x4 cellar vent sash; the western ell has a brick
foundation; and the entrance porch floor and foundation have been replaced with a concrete
slab and concrete blocks, respectively.
Details on the east side are consistant with the Greek Revival style. The arrangement of
the 4 bays of the main house is unequal but regular. The longitudinal ell appears to have
been extended eastward, creating an inset porch with an entrance flanked by narrow 2/2 side-
lights, suggesting a functional semi- enclosed working space. The ell also seems to have
been expanded vertically with the later expansion of the attic into a second floor with one
central double, and two single, dormers; their segmentally- headed 6/6 windows, applied
scrollwork, and console eave brackets are unlike any other windows on the house. All other
east elevation sash are 6/6, though the rearmost one on the ell is much smaller and obviously
newer.
see continuation sheet
8. Significance
Period
prehistoric
1400-1499
1500-1599
1600-1699
1700-1799
X 1800-1899
_X^1900-
Areas of Significance Check
archeology-prehistoric
archeology-historic
X agriculture
X architecture
art
commerce
communications
and justify below
community planning
conservation
economics
education
engineering
exploration/settlement
industry . X
invention
landscape arc
law
literature
military
music
philosophy
hitecture J _religion
science
sculpture
_X _social/
humanitarian
theater
__politics/government . X _transportation
-X _other (specify)
Underground Railroad
Specific dates
184 6
B u il der/ A rchitect
Statement o f Sig nif icance ( in o ne parag raph)
Significance, agriculture; In 184 6, Nathaniel White purchased some land 2 miles southx^est
from the State House on what is now Clinton Street in Concord. This land later became the
White Farm. White "gave much attention to farming", and the White Farm was "one of the most
highly cultivated in the state" throughout White's lifetime and even after his death. On the
farm, milk cows were kept and a variety of food stuffs were grown. Not only was the White
Farm well developed but it was also one of the largest in Concord, encompassing 4 00 acres.
The farm has remained in agricultural use first as a dairy farm, and later for production
of corn and hay throughout its ownership by the State of New Hampshire. In the fall of 1980,
the State Prison agricultural program was expanded to include operations at the White Farm.
Significance, architecture; The White Farm was built in the late 184 0 f s in the then popular
Greek Revival style. The White Farm is characteristic of the simpler form of transitional
Greek Revival dwelling which incorporate latent Federal features. Unlike the majority of
urban Greek Revival homes, the White Farm had few of the embellishments of ornamentation and
is basically a functional farmhouse. For example, the closets are worth noting in that they
are practical in size and quite numerous, a feature not usually found in most homes of that
time. In addition, the White Farm's numerous barn structures are well preserved examples of
farming architecture in the 1800's. The total White Farm complex reflects the architectural
taste of White and 19th century Concord.
Significance, politics and government; In 184 2, Nathaniel White took his first step into
political life when he was chosen by the Whigs and Free Soldiers to represent Concord in the
State Legislature. He continued to serve in government through to 187 5 when he ran for
governor under the Prohibition party. Although he lost, he was delegated to the important
Cincinnati Convention which nominated Rutherford B . Hayes for President. White's honesty,
responsibility and conviction for reform earned him the respect of the people of New Hampshire,
Significance, religion; The White Memorial Universalist Church on the corner of State and
School Street in Concord is a tribute to Nathaniel White. From its inception in 1833 to its
completion in 184 1 and afterwards, White was the church's driving force a reflection of his
commitment to liberalism and humanitarianism, in religion as well as in politics. He gave
much of his time and money to establish Concord's only Universalist Church. Without White's
support, the church would have ceased to exist. After White's death, the church became the
White Memorial Universalist Church in honor of its donor.
see continuation sheet
9. Major Bibliographical References___________
American Revolution B icentennial Administration, Region One. The Underground Railroad in
New England. B oston MA: American Revolution B icentennial Administration, n.d. (197 6)
Clarke, J.B Successful New Hampshire Men. Manchester, NH: J.B . Clarke, 1882.
Lyford, JiD.- ' History of - Concord. Concord, NH: Rumford Press, 1903.
10. Geographical Data_____
Acreage of nominated property 136___________
Quadrangle name Concord, NH
UMT References
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Zone Easting Northing
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Zone Easting Northing
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Fl i I I I . I . . I I . I . I , . I
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Verbal boundary description and justification
see continuation sheet
List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries
state code county code
state code county code
11 B Form Prepared By
name/title
Robinson/Holden: Instructors
organization
Traditions Worth Preserving Class date June 30th, 1980
street & number
125 School Street
telephone 603-224-5954
city or town
Concord
state ^ . . New Hampshire 03301
The evaluated significance of this property within the state is:
__national X state __local
As the designated State Historic Preservation Off jeer for the^ational Historic. Presentation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-
665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify thatjt has been evaluated
according to the criteria and procedures set forth by theMeritage Conservation and Recreation Service.
State Historic Preservation Officer signature,
- ^ jy^ I . *". . -
Commissioner, .Dept. of Resources & Economic Development
titl e NH State Historic Preservation Officer / date February 12, 1981
date
date
hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register
V . . < -'" " ' :
Keeper of the National ^Register
Attest:
Chief of Registration
FHR- 8- 300A
(11/7 8)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
W$iW$Zffi^M$^.
OWNER
OF
CONTINUA TION SHEET PROPERTY #1 ITEM NUMB ER PA GE
1) Department of Administration & Control
c/o Superintendent of B uildings & Grounds
State House Annex,
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
2) Department of Agriculture
#85 Manchester Street
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
3) Department of Resources & Economic Development
6 Loudon Road
B ox #856
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
4 ) New Hampshire Hospital
#105 Pleasant Street
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
FHR- 8- 300A
(11/7 8)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM
fllilSIl
; ::te; ; \3s:*y$33
CONTINUA TION SHEET DESCRIPTION #2 ITEM NUMB ER 7 _ _ _ _ _ PAGE 2_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The rear elevation (incorporating the transverse ell) is less organized, with an
irregular pattern of two 6/6 windows and a door (with a Queen Anne colored glass upper
panel) under a simple stickwork hood, an enclosed cellar bulkhead entry, and a small
projected room. The clapboards and curving roofline show evidence of the eastward and
upward expansion of the original ell, which may contribute to water leakage and peeling
paint problems. The west side of the transverse ell is without openings; the south
side has three plain dormers with 6- light fixed sash; immediately below them are three
eyebrow- type windows with 6- light fixed sash; below them at the entrance level, but
not symmetrically spaced, are three 6/6 windows and a door similar to the rear door,
with a Queen Anne colored glass upper panel and a stickwork hood. The ell appears to
have been a service addition for the use of the farm laborers, as attested both by
internal fixtures and finishes, and by a well- worn boot scraper set into the concrete
door stoop. An asbestos- board skirting panel surrounds the western ell at the sill
level, covering the foundation.
At the intersection of the western ell and the rear projection of the longitudinal ell
a 6- light eyebrow window is repeated, above a simple 4 - panel (flat profile, with
marginal/rabbets) late- Federal type door which opens onto a small, square porch, open
above a wooden dado; a doorway is framed into the west bay of the porch, but lacks a
door. The Asher B enjamin- type mouldings of the porch, attached with cut nails suggests
that the porch was probably part of the original structure or at least an early addition,
The west elevation of the house is divided into 4 regular bays of 6/6 sash.
The gabled roofs are covered with asphalt shingles. One single- flue brick chimney
rises from the ridge just inside the rear wall of the main house; the stack for flues
at the front of the house has been removed. A tall single- flue brick chimney is
attached to the rear of the western ell. Except for lightening rods and plumbing vents,
there are no other roof features.
The interior conforms to a simplified version of the Greek Revival style, incorporating
some late- Federal elements. The primary entrance (from the eastern front porch) opens
to a stairhall with a "parlor" on the south and a kitchen on the north. Several
changes in room arrangement and function have occurred during the history of the house;
since the State of New Hampshire purchased the building, some modern facilities have
been added: cabinets, basins, and electrical outlets. Most of the walls on the first
floor have 20th century wallpaper; the original pine floors have been replaced or
covered over with hard pine and hardwood strip flooring. The dining room boasts a
pressed metal ceiling with a simple design, and a cased column. The doors, of mortise
and tenon construction, are generally 4 - panelled early Greek Revival with some 4 - panel
late Federal examples. The woodwork of the principal first- floor rooms consists of
plain wood casings with a simple horizontal moulded lintel. Window surrounds extend
downward to the floor, enclosing flush- boarded wainscot panels. Sash have typical
see continuation sheet
FHR- 8- 300A
(11/7 8)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
CONTINUA TION SHEET DESCRIPTION #3 ITEM NUMB ER 7 PA GE 3_______________________
Greek Revival profiles. The sharpness of the details of the wookwork suggests that
it has not been painted many times; although now white, chipped spots reveal that much
of the wood was originally grained. The front "parlor" sports a false- fireplace, a
mantelpiece and decorative surround of metal, grained to look like marble.
The second floor of the main house is plainer. The original wide, pine floorboards of
the south portion are painted brown. The woodwork reflects that of the first floor, but
the cornice treatment at window and door [Link] simpler. The balusters of the
stairwell are also simpler, and the newel unlike the massive turned one at the first-
floor landing narrows at the top to a more graceful, Greek column effect. (The stair
to the attic is enclosed.) Most of the doors throughout the second floor appear to be
original, and some of their 19th century hardware remains intact. The moulding profile
of the cornice at the hall side of the door to the southeast chamber has a profile like
that of the other cornice mouldings in the house except that it is executed with
greater delicacy and may be hand- made with a moulding plane, rather than factory- pro-
duced as the others appear to be; perhaps it was the full- scale model for preparing the
other woodwork elements, and was installed in an inconspicuous place where such
differences would not be noted. Interestingly, the door to the attic stair opposite,
is a Federal 4 - panel example which retains exquisite golden- maple paint graining on
its rear (attic) side. It is also possible that these two features are the sole
survivors of original finish materials, superseded by a mid- 19th century updating. In
the central rooms of the second floor, north of the hallway, serious roof leakage has
occurred. In these rooms the original floors are covered with knotty pine and linoleum.
Chips in the white- painted walls reveal a sand color, consistent with Greek Revival
taste. However, nowhere in the house are typical Greek Revival details, such as
"bullseye" corner blocks, used in the woodwork despite their frequency in similar
houses in the Concord area.
The dormered rooms over the longitudinal ell are plainly finished, in keeping with
their presumed function as servant's rooms.
The attic reveals a balloon- type frame construction. Some of the original up- and- down
sawn rafters have been replaced with circular- sawn rafters, and many of the studs
appear to have been made of rough and/or scrap lumber.
The house is basically sound, except for roof leakage (perhaps from the ridge chimney
and the second- floor ell dormers), undermining of the west side of the house cellar
wall by water, and consequent peeling paint none of which seem to require difficult
or complex repairs.
see continuation sheet
FHR- 8- 300A
(11/7 8)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
CONTINUA TION SHEET DESCRIPTION #4 'TEM NUMB ER 7 PAGE 4 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Immediately to the rear of the White residence is a small square white clapboard
structure with a hipped roof, topped with a finial; access doors are located on the
north and south sides. Now used for storing trash barrels, it may have once been a
privy or a well- house.
The farm complex behind the White's house includes several buildings now owned by the
State of New Hampshire. The original timber framed barn (57 ' x 195') with a sheet
metal roof is decorated with an Eastlake cupola with wood slat ventilators, intersecting
transverse gables, and a finial; it also includes a silo. During the 194 0's, the
State Hospital Dairy was in operation, there housing 85 milking cows; now the barn is
used for storage. Eastward across the driveway stands a 5 bay garage with corrugated
metal roof and 2 metal ventilators. Another adjacent 5 bay concrete block garage was
built in 1963. A small wood- framed storage shed between the Cow B arn and the garages
housed calves during the Dairy's operation.
Two small houses, possibly the farm managers' residences, are no longer in use. At
#14 8 Clinton Street, the characteristic Greek Revival gable faces the street. The
3- bay design and side- hall entrance mirror the style of the White's main home, but the
trim around the windows and porch lacks any decorative elements. Perhaps this reflects
the status of the occupants. The foundation is made of split- face granite blocks; the
central chimney appears to be original. The brick foundation of the longitudinal ell
suggests that it was added later. The back porch has a painted wooden floor and
asphalt shingle roof. The main roof was originally wood shingle and is now covered by
ribbed metal panels. A small asbestos- sided garage with an asphalt- shingled roof stands
next to and west of the house, facing Clinton Street.
At #152 Clinton Street, the white clapboard house has a central entrance door with
Greek Revival sidelights, flanked by two windows. The entrance opens onto an added
porch supported by metal posts.. The foundation is brick. There is a random order of
windows on the east side and a symmetrical pattern on the west. A small ell was added
to the back of the house and its doorway was subsequently roofed over to provide an
open- porch entrance. There is one large shed- dormer on the rear roof and two
symmetrical single- flue chimneys aligned with and set back from the ridge. B ehind the
house stands a small clapboard storage shed in poor condition.
Despite the fact that he owned a brick house on School Street in Concord (no longer
standing), it is interesting to note that Nathaniel White, one of the wealthiest, and
most prominent and most progressive men in the community, chose to reside in and
operate a farm complex of simple, conservative design. At a time when ornamentation
and ostentation were vogue, this rather humble grouping of buildings suggest that White
was more concerned with his humanitarian contributions to society than in displaying
his wealth.
FHR- 8- 300A
(11/7 8)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
mm
CONTINUA TION SHEET SIGNIFICANCE #5 ITEM NUMB ER 8 PAGE 2_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Significance, social/humanitarian: B oth Nathaniel and Armenia White were among
Concord's most prominent citizens and gave considerable financial support and energy
to a variety of local and state charitable and philanthropic efforts, such as: the
New Hampshire asylum for the insane, State Reform School, Orphan's Home at Franklin,
Home for the Aged in Concord, Mercy Home in Manchester (where Mrs. White was on the
B oard of Trustees), and New Hampshire Centennial Home for the Aged. B oth were ardent
in temperance, women's sufferage and abolitionist movements. They also contributed
greatly to the Universalist Church, renovation of the State House in 1863, and
extablished the White Opera House where presidents and other dignitaries were entertain-
ed. Nathaniel White was a Trustee of the Loan and Trust Savings B ank, director of the
Profile House in New Hampshire and Mount Washington Cog Railroad and a partner and
chief stockholder of the Concord Patriot newspaper and Concord's first water delivery
company in 187 2 on Long Pond. White's Park was willed to the city as a public park
in 1884 . Mrs. White was president of the New Hampshire Women's Christian Temperance
Union and president of New Hampshire Women's Sufferage Association. Armenia also
supported Nathaniel in all his career ventures.
Significance, transportation; Nathaniel White began his contribution to the transpor-
tation system of New England in 1832. At this time he established a stage coach route
from Concord to Hanover. He was recognized as an excellent driver and was commissioned
to drive U.S. Grant through New Hampshire. In 1835 White became partners with Capt.
William Walker, also of Concord. Together they expanded the route to Lowell and
B oston, Massachusetts. White personally made three weekly trips to B oston. In 184 2,
railroads became important in the express business. White was one of the original
partners of the express company which delivered goods throughout New Hampshire and
Canada by rail, and which became the American Express Company. "There is no record of
the enterprise being tied into the Underground Railroad, but the possibilities are
interesting to contemplate."
Significance, Underground Railroad: "It is a matter of record that the hospitable home
(of Nathaniel and Armenia White) was a refuge of many a hunted slave - a veritable
station on the underground railroad where welcome, care, food, and money were freely
bestowed and the refuges were sent on their way rejoicing. A surviving granddaughter
recalls her grandmother's stories about futitive slaves arriving at the farm on foot
or horseback and being sheltered in the attic or the hay mow."2
1American Revolution B icentennial Administration, Region One. The Underground Rail-
road in New England. B oston MA: American Revolution B icentennial Administration,
n.d. (197 6), 17 .
2 Ibid, 16- 17 .
FHR- 8- 300A
(11/7 8)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
CONTI NUATI ON SHEET
V ERBAL
BOUNDARY
DESCRI PTI ON
#6 I TEM NUMBER
1 0
PAGE 1
The nominated property is a parcel of approximately 136 acres in Concord,
New Hampshire. Starting at the intersection of Clinton Street (NH Route #13)
and the Turkey River and going esterly, it is bounded on the south by the
New Hampshire Hospital and the New Hampshire Department of Resources &
Economic Development, until it reaches the "State Police Lot"; thence
northerly and then easterly around the "State Police Lot" to its north-
eastern corner; thence diagonally northeastward to an offset in the
southern boundary of land owned by the State of New Hampshire (formerly
owned by the Church of Christ, Scientist) abutting the White Farm tract;
thence northwesterly along the northern boundaries of land owned by the
New Hampshire Department of Resources & Economic Development to the
Turkey River; thence southerly along the eastern bank of the Turkey River
to the place of beginning at the intersection of the Turkey River and
Clinton Street all as delineated in plans (1> @ 1" = 4 00', drawn by
Phipps (197 5) from a 1926 plan by Whitford @ 1" = 4 00'; and (2) @ 1" = 200',
traced from tax map/s by Phipps (February 197 3) and revised by Sidmore
(June 197 4 ), both of which are on file in the New Hampshire Department
of Resources & Economic Development.
These boundaries have been selected to include the White Farm buildings
and the only significant intact remnant of the White Farm tract north of
Clinton Street, and to incorporate representative contiguous examples of
of farm's significant historical setting and production units, including
river edge marsh, meadow, mowing, tillage, garden, orchard and woodlot.
(Refer to sketch map, Continuation Sheet #7 )
FHR- 8- 300A
(11/7 8)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM
CONTINUATION SHEET SKETCH MAP #7 'TEM NUMBER PAGE
taken
NH Dtpt. of At&outtts
Dtiff/opmfnt Whtff
Concord, Nti* t>v*wn {*>**> j9
Of Whitforei by Phif>f>S, /975; d
AiAtfMtnicd w'lfh fi
in Sfpletnbtr I'jBO.
Scale. '"-4oo'