William Street Historic District Guidelines

TOWN OF TISBURY MASSACHUSETTS

This document had been prepared by the member of the William Street Historic District Commission, the body responsible for the administration and overseeing all applicable construction and alterations to buildings in the National Register Historic District. The Commission’s mandate form the Town of Tisbury, as delineated in its by-law, is to review proposed exterior changes to the buildings in the District for appropriateness, historic character, and significance. These guidelines, adopted from the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, are the standard by which all applications will be considered. Property owners are also encouraged to refer to the William Street Historic District By-law for information on required procedures.

William Street Historic District Commission, April 2001

CONTENTS

• Introduction to the William Street Historic District                            
• Character and Significance of the William Street Historic District              
• The Guidelines                                                                  
• Building, mass, scale, proportions                                              
• Materials and surface treatments                                                
• Siding and trim                                                         
• Windows                                                                         
• Doors, doorways, porches and steps                                      
• Roofs                                                                           
• Fences                                                                          
• Hardscapes                                                                      
• Landscape                                                                       
• Additions                                                                       
• New construction                                                                
• Signs                                                                           
• Lights                                                                          
• Awnings                                  

INTRODUCTION TO THE WILLIAM STREET HISTRIC DISTRICT

History of the area

The village of Holmes Hole (now Vineyard Haven) grew form a few houses along the harbor in the late 17th century, to a flourishing town center along the main street funning parallel to the harbor by the early years of the 19th centaury. The commercial center of the town increasingly was concentrated in the compact area between the waterfront and what is now known as Main Street. When residential development began moving from the harbor up the hill beyond Main Street, it was not long before a few enterprising individuals began to buy the land, lay it out in house lots, and sell it. The area now incorporated in the William Street Historic District includes a series of three such development schemes dating form the 1830s and 1840s.  

Three individuals – Thomas Bradley, William Downs, and William Daggett – each bought large parcels of land beginning in 1833 and laid out streets and lots, creating a new residential neighborhood to the west of the town center. By 1858 construction in this area consisted of forty buildings, almost all of which still remain in the District. These structures, for the most part residences of sea captains and others involved in maritime activity, represent a local version of the nationally fashionable Greek Revival style, and incorporate variation within its limitations.  

The William Street area gained added significance in 1883 when fire destroyed most of the center of the village, leaving the houses on the hill untouched. The William Street area became the largest section of the village predating 1883.  

The Historic District

Since 1883, the William Street area has been an enclave of history for the Town of Tisbury and the village of Vineyard Haven. By 1973, it was apparent that to preserve and protect it, special efforts would be needed. The first step, completed by 1975, was to survey the historic buildings of the neighborhood and to ask the town to create an historic district, which was approved at the 1976 Town Meeting. A seven-member commission was appointed by the Selectman to oversee changes in the District. The by-law of the commission as amended May 8, 1991, is available at Town Hall. In 1983 the District was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The District consists of fifty-seven contiguous properties along William, Spring, Church, Franklin, and Main Streets. Most of the buildings are residential, but also included are five originally built as churches, one as a school house, one cemetery, and one undeveloped lot. Seven properties predate the major building campaign of 1833-1858; thirteen postdate that time.    

CHARACTER AND DIGNIFICANCE OF THE WILLIAM STREET
HISTORIC DISTRICT

The basis for recommending the establishment of the District was historic significance.  It remains the responsibility of the William Street Historic District Commission to continue to recognize and protect the distinguished qualities of the area. Consequently, when considering requests for changes to the exterior pf  buildings within the District, the Commissioners must weight the appropriateness of the project, its effect on the neighboring buildings and the District as a whole, and its impact on the defining qualities of the District. Following are some of the considerations and principles that contribute to determinations.  

Architecture

The primary building style of the District is Greek Revival. Thirty-six of the buildings employ minor variations within that style. Typical of the style are gable ends facing the street as the entrance façade, simple gable roofs, double-hung windows, wide corner boards, plasters, entablatures and cornices, and heavy window and door trim. Height varies form one to two and a half stories, and width from three to five bays.

For many years white has been the dominate color for the clapboards (and sometimes shingle) siding, although other colors may originally have been used. Trim is often white, but dark colors such as forest green or black may be seen in shutters, doors, and window sashes. Doorways are often set off with wide entablatures and pilasters; some have transoms and/or sidelights. Interior brick chimneys appear unobtrusively in a variety of locations within the rooflines. Original front porches were simple stoops with or without wood railings. Dormers, including additions of the long shed-roofed and single, gable-roofed kind, appear in several of these houses. Originally half-height windows frequently are seen on the second floor under the side eaves. Some houses also have later additions of bay windows, multi-bay porches, and Victorian detailing. The major architectural are usually restricted to the street side, with elements on the sides and back being simplified versions of those appearing on the front.

In additions to this collection of homogenous Greek Revival dwellings, there are several other building types and styles in the district which are no less significant to the District fro being of a different type. The early buildings include four houses, two of which have been extensively remodeled; also there are three Greek Revival public buildings (one is now Town Hall, one the Nathan Mayhew Schoolhouse, and one the Vineyard Playhouse). These buildings, although dating from as early as the late 18th century, nevertheless have in common with the Greek Revival houses elements of massing, materials, fenestration and scale. There are also thirteen properties which post-date the primary building campaign of William Street, but which have completed the original development and have acquire historical significance and context in their own right. Some of the styles found in the District are Italianate, Queen Anne, and Gothic Revival, following patters of revival styles found throughout America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. For additional descriptions of the buildings and their occupants, see Walking in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts by James H. Norton.          

Streetscapes, Open Spaces, and Building Hierarchies

The houses in the William Street Historic District are visually and spatially unified because of the remarkable consistent setback of the buildings (in most cases approximately ten to fifteen feet from the sidewalk), as well as the lot configurations, which are for the most part quite narrow in street frontage. In most instances, wood or iron fences define the front boundary of the properties, running from a few inches to a few feet behind the sidewalk. There is very little variations of scale within the mid-19th century houses. The public buildings, three of which have tall steeples, are an obvious departure from this pattern. The District still contains many large shade trees despite the loss of ancient elms. The Commission has proposed a program to replace the elms with a hybrid that is disease resistant.  

Many of the Greek Revival houses have had additions to the rear, sometimes multiple additions. These additions have been subordinate in scale, massing, and detail to the original house, and thus read clearly as later in date and usually more utilitarian in function (such as a kitchen wing). There are also several auxiliary structures in the District which postdate the main house. These structures, often built as sheds, garages, or other utilitarian buildings, are always less grand in style and scale than the main house on the property, expressing their subordinate functions and origins.    

THE GUIDELINES

Introduction

In accordance with generally accepted preservation practice, the William Street Historic District Commission’s goal for the District is to preserve and protect its special qualities while guiding inevitable and necessary growth and change. Although historic buildings from time to time require renovation and even at times additions, the very nature of an historic district makes its structures distinct from other real estate. For this reason, the Commission may not approve all changes desired by home owners. We hope the following Guidelines will be helpful in preparing applications to the Commission.  

For further information about the general priciples widely used in reviewing historic building projects, see The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, a set of ten carefully crafted standards that guide most federal, state, and local agencies reviewing such projects. (Copies of the Standards are available from the National Park Service.)

1. The cardinal rule in preservation projects is repair rather than replace; when replacement is necessary, it should be done in kind. “In kind” means matching existing materials, detailing, and craftsmanship wherever possible. 
2. All changes to historic buildings should be as minimal as possible, and done in a way that does not impair the integrity of the original structure.  
3. Changes and additions to properties within the District that have taken place over the course of time are evidence of the history of the property and the neighborhood. These changes may have developed significance in their own right, and this significance should be recognized and respected.  
4. New openings in visible facades are discouraged except to restore documented original or pre-existing conditions.
5. Restoration of missing design features should be documented by photographic, physical, or historical evidence.  
6. An attempt to create a conjectural or hypothetical sense of history by removing, adding, or altering a building’s features, is to be avoided.  

Building Mass, Scale, and Proportion

All changes to buildings in the District should be done in a manner that preserves the existing mass, scale, and proportion of the building. Additions or changes which obscure or overshadow, the existing appearance of the building will not be allowed.  

Materials and Surface Treatments

1. All historic materials are to be treated with care and are to be repaired whenever possible. When replacement is necessary, new material should match the existing in every aspect.  
2. Abrasive cleaning methods such as sandblasting, chemicals, and heat guns should be avoided. Preservation technology has become quite sophisticated; there are effective and safe methods for solving most problems of deterioration.  
3. New surface treatments such as sealants, paint, or stucco are to be avoided where they did not previously exist.
4. Masonry repointing must be done with care to duplicate original composition, color, texture, joint size, joint profile, and method of application.    
5. Only those paint colors, other than white, which are known to have existed historically on a particular building will be approved by the Commission. Deviation from white, dark green, or black trim elements will require photographic or physical (paint analysis) evidence for approval.  

Siding and Trim

1. Generally, the Commission will require retention of historic siding materials and patterns. For example, original clapboard siding should not be changed to shingles.
2. Vinyl, aluminum, or other synthetic siding will not be approved. Removal of such sidings where they currently exist is strongly encouraged.
3. Trim work such as cornices, window and door surrounds, brackets, pediments, corner pilasters, and all other decorative elements should be retained.  

Windows

1. All existing historically significant windows, including sash, glass, lintels, sills, moldings, hoods, and shutters, should be retained and repaired where possible. New openings are discouraged. Window openings should not be enlarged or reduced to fit new stock window sash sizes.  
2. Replacement of any window element(s) should be an exact replication of the existing. Replacements should be single-pane, with true divided lights to match existing. Double-glazing may be permitted when the muntins are properly proportioned, fixed, and detailed. Replacement windows must be of wood; aluminum and vinyl-clad windows are generally not acceptable. Need for replacement should be documented. Although storm windows are not subject to review, wooden exterior storm windows are strongly encouraged.
3. Stained glass which has significance should be retained and repaired. Modern tinted glass is not permitted in the District.  
4. Size, location, and material are important determinations for the acceptability of skylights. No bubble skylights are permitted. Skylights should be placed on roof surfaces with the least visibility to the street. Smaller skylights are preferable to larger ones.
5. Shutters must be made of wood, match those known to have been on the house, and when closed fit windows. They should be hinged, not nailed. Removal or replacement of shutters will be carefully reviewed.  
6. New window openings may be approved in rare cases, but only when the new window harmonizes with the style of the building and is subordinate to the other windows in design and detail. Picture windows are not appropriate.  

Doors, Doorways, Porches, and Steps

1. All existing historically significant door openings including doors, glass, pediments, hoods, moldings, steps, and all hardware should be retained and repaired. New openings are discouraged. Door openings should not be enlarged or reduced to fit stock door sizes.  
2. If replacement of any historic door element is necessary, replacements should match the existing in material, design, and hardware as closely as possible.  
3. Doors should be made of wood; metal doors are not acceptable. Although storm doors and screens are not subject tot review, the Commission strongly encourages storm and screen doors that are made of wood and are simple in design. Scalloped inserts are not appropriate.  
4. New door openings on sides and rear of building will be approved in rare cases, but only when the new door harmonizes with the style of the building and is subordinate in design and detailing. Sliding glass doors are not appropriate.  
5. Porches, porticoes, steps and railings that are appropriate to the building and its development should be retained. Porches or additions reflecting later architectural styles are often important to the building’s historical integrity and should not be removed. Modern materials or those not documented to have been historically present, such as brick stoops, will not be approved. Deteriorated materials should be replaced with matching materials and design.  

Roofs

1. Roof materials should match existing or documented historical materials for the building.          
2. When matching materials are not available or practical, the Commission may approve the use of one of a limited group of products which successfully imitate slate or wood or to “render out” the roof by using dark asphalt or fiberglass shingles which do not draw attention to this change.  
3. Asphalt or fiberglass should be black or charcoal. Only a very subtle blending of lighter and darker tones is acceptable; variegated asphalt lights and darks are unacceptable.  
4. All architectural features that give the roof its essential character such as dormers, cupolas, cornices, brackets, chimneys, cresting and weather vanes should be preserved.   
5. Skylights, roof vents, and mechanical equipment, such as air conditioners, should be placed in the most inconspicuous locations possible. Roof vents should be painted to match the color of the roof.  
6. Wood and copper gutters are an important architectural feature. In historic houses, they were often designed as part of the eve moldings. Gutters should be replaced only in extreme deterioration. New gutters and downspouts should be placed in an architecturally sensitive manner and painted the color of the surface on which they are installed.  

Fences

1. Fences are important architectural and space-defining features in the District. Historically significant fences should be retained and repaired. Replacement, where necessary, should duplicate the existing. In case of extreme deterioration of significant fences, consolidation of viable sections is preferable to removing the fence altogether.  
2. Fences along the street façade of historic houses were meant to serve a decorative purpose. Such fences should not block the view of a house; they should be in scale to the property, and they should be open, not solid. Narrow pickets (approximately 1 ½” wide) are preferable to wide pickets. Back side yard fences may be approved for screening purpose and may be higher and more solid.  
3. New fences may be approved where none previously existed, but should not create a false historical impression, and must be in keeping with the design of the house.  
4. Chain link, stockade, and wire type fences, as well as low brick walls and brick planters are not appropriate in the District.  
5. Mortared fieldstone walls are acceptable in certain circumstances.     

Hardscapes

1. The Commission recommends the use of crushed or washed stones in most cases for driveways and parking areas. Generally, the least intrusive solution is sought for providing off-street parking. Dirt and grass driveways existing historically and should remain where possible.  
2. Hard-surfacing of large areas, as well as the use of inappropriate materials such as asphalt or concrete, is not recommended. Changing the historic proportion of paving to landscaping is not recommended.  
3. Generally, brick for use in sidewalks, stoops, driveways, and parking areas is not appropriate within the District. Examples of appropriate materials are grass, stone, slate, and bluestone.  

Landscape

1. Generally the Commission does not review landscapes but it appreciates careful attention to particular landscape features such as ancient trees or garden plants which have acquired historic significance.  
2. Scale, appropriateness, density, and impact on streetscapes are all important considerations in determining appropriate plantings for historic buildings. Plantings should not overwhelm, but should complement historic architecture.  

Additions

1. Proposed additions to historic buildings should be as small and unobtrusive as possible. In most cases, needs of property owners within the District should be met within the confines of the existing building. When such accommodation is not possible, new additions should be designed and constructed so that the character-defining features of the historic building are not radically changed, damaged, or destroyed.  
2. The design of new additions should be compatible with, but differentiated from, the historic building in terms of massing, size, scale, and architectural features. Original details and patterns should not be slavishly copied, but used as guidelines for the creation of compatible designs.  
3. New additions should be designed so that, if removed in the future, little or no damage to the historic building would result.   
4. In relation to the historic building, additions should be smaller in scale, set back from the wall planes, with lower ridgelines and in the least visible locations.  
5. Detailing and fenestration should be compatible with that of the historic building.
6. Historic materials and detailing should not be obscured or removed.
7. Adding modern features such as decks, roof decks, balconies and the like is to be avoided.  

New Construction

1. A completely new building may be approved to be added in the District. In such instances, the same guidelines as in the Additions section above will apply.  
2. New construction should respect the streetscapes and landscapes as a whole and be compatible with its immediate surroundings.  

Signs

1. All signs, except temporary signs exempted by Section 5.A of the By-law, must be presented to and approved by the Commission.  
2. Signs must consist of letters, painted on wood, without symbols or trademarks, and if illuminated, must be illuminated indirectly.  
3. Non-residential buildings or structures in the District may include one sign of not more than (10) ten square feet (1440 square inches) in total area.  
4. Residential use of any building or structure within the District may include one sign advertising ownership, occupancy, or services offered, if not more than (1) one square foot (144 square inches) in total area.  

Lights

1. All outdoor lighting should be appropriate to the architectural style of the house, and will be considered on a case by case basis.  
2. Indirect lighting is encouraged.  
3. Sealed beam spotlights are not permitted. All illuminated signs are to be lit indirectly.  

Awnings

1. Awnings are considered inappropriate and are not permitted.