The William H. Smith House c1881 is a High Style Queen Anne Victorian home sold in November 2012 to a new owner.  This website is a tribute to the home from the previous owners, who owned the home since 1993.  This wonderful home is located 35 miles South of Boston with easy access to the City via commuter rail with a station within walking distance from your back door or 10 easy highway miles North of Providence, RI. The home has had only 6 loving owners as is evident from its pristine condition.

There are four mahogany fireplaces and one marble fireplace. Four floors of living area provide room for a large family or a couple who desires to live in the gilded age style not available to many today at any price.

Follow this link or click on the slide show in the upper left corner of this Blog for a large photo display of many of the details contained in this home. Imagine yourself living and entertaining as your great-grand-parents did more than a century ago!


Click on this link for a Video Tour of this Wonderful Home !

http://picasaweb.google.com/FAMonti13/WilliamHSmithHouseC1881?authkey=Gv1sRgCMD9xci5_9a8ugE#5334593597404014866


Although the home is not currently for sale any longer, there are sections below containing Listing Information; what it is like Living in the City of Attleboro; answers to your concerns about buying a 100+ year-old historic home.  This is interesting information regardless of the fact that the home is no longer on the market.

At the end of this page is a recreation of the Attleboro Historic Preservation Society Historic House Tour. In 2007 The William H. Smith House was the featured home on the Attleboro Historic Preservation Society Tour of Historic Homes. This is an interesting read as you go through the many pictures of this lovely home.

Listing Info

William H. Smith House c1881 - Awarded a Plaque by the Attleboro Historic Preservation Society in recognition of the outstanding restoration work exhibited in this home.

For additional information or to schedule a visit, contact Ken Scotti at ReMax by calling Ken at either 401-354-4971 or 401-255-2391 or e-mail him at scottiken@hotmail.com


185 South Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703-4003
14 Rooms, 5 Beds, 2 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath
2 Bonus rooms, 3 Porches, Brick Courtyard
Type: Single Family
Approximate Living Area: 4,267 sq. ft. Finished Space
Lot Size: 19,226 sq. ft.
Taxes: $4,964 annually (in 2012)
Style: Victorian – Elegant Queen Anne (high-style); Asymmetrical Construction; Two shingle styles plus clapboard siding; Interesting Quarter- and Half-Round Windows; Bay Windows, Bracketed Windows and more architectural details !

Remarks

Whether you are looking for a place to live away from your job in Providence or Boston, this historic structure has the luxury of yesteryear to offer and an easy commute. You can sit in the shade of the 200 Year Old Copper Beech Tree and watch the world go by.

New 30 Yr Architectural Roof, Updated Gutter System, New Furnace (2002), New Electric hot water heater (2009), Recent Exterior Historic Paint, Updated Electrical, Updated Plumbing, Carriage House/Garage, Full Dry Basement, Fenced Courtyard. Zoned mixed use for multi-family or at home business. Pristine - Move in Condition. Antique furnishings also available.

Period Details

Mahogany Front Doors, Mahogany Master Staircase & Fretwork, Inlaid Hardwoods, 5 Fireplaces (Original Mahogany Mantels, Firebacks, and Tiles), 15 Stained Glass Windows, 7 Restored (but disconnected) Gas-light Fixtures, Unique Rose Bronze Push Button Door Hardware, Tin ceilings, Raised-Panel Dining Room Ceiling, 10 Foot Ceilings on both first and second floor, Wainscoting, Intricate Crown Moldings, Copper Sink in Butler’s Pantry, Marble Countertops, Reproduction Lighting, Authentic Wall Coverings, Copper-topped Shed Roof over back door and Carriage House door, Large Carriage House, Copper Antique Weathervane, Lighting Rods and the list goes on and on.

A Well Maintained and Loved Home that would be impossible to duplicate at Twice the Price.

Area Information

Convenient to: Train Station, Major Highways, Shopping, Schools, Places of Worship, Hospital, Public Parks, Golf Courses, Senior Center, Restaurants

General Features

Year Built: 1881
Total Square Footage: approximately 5,100 sq. ft.
Lot Size: .44 acres
Lot Size: 19,226 sq. ft.

Interior Features

Living Space: 3,300 – 4,300 sq. ft.
Flooring: Hardwood with wall-to-wall Carpeting in some areas.
Appliances: Professional Gas 6-burner Cooking Range with Convection Oven & 600 CFM Vent Hood, Microwave, Waste Disposal, Filtered Tap Water, 2 Refrigerators, Dishwasher, Washer & Dryer
Heating: Natural Gas – 2 zone
Cooling: Window A/C units
Utilities: Gas, Electric, Electronic Telephone System with room for 4 in-coming lines, intercom, paging system; High Speed Internet with wired network throughout the home as well as wireless network; Cable TV, City Water & Sewer
Hot Water: Electric, Tank

Room Features

Foyer: 2-story Mahogany Stairway & Fretwork, Mahogany Fireplace, Hardwood Flooring, Stained Glass Windows, Guest Coat Closet, Crown & Picture Molding, Ceiling Medallion
Entry Parlor: Hardwood Flooring, Stained Glass Window, Ceiling Medallion, Elaborate Crown Moldings
Living Room: Mahogany Fireplace, Hardwood Flooring, Ceiling Medallion, Crown Molding, Double Doors to Private Covered Porch
Side Hall: Built-in Entertainment Unit, Hardwood Flooring, Door to Covered Side Porch
Lavette: Wainscoting, Hardwood Flooring
Kitchen: Old Growth Heart Pine Wood Flooring (8-inch wide boards), Built-in Microwave, Pantry Cupboard, DCS Professional Gas Cook Stove, Restored Gas Fixture, Tiffany Pendant ceiling light, Eat-in breakfast Area, Tin Ceilings in Galley Cook Area, Solid Surface Counters with Counter Extender, Subway Tiled Period Backsplash
Dining Room: Mahogany Wainscoting, Wood Paneled Ceiling, Stained Glass windows with exterior accent lighting, Hardwood Flooring
Butler’s Pantry: Lighted Upper Glass Cabinets, Copper Sink with Original Fixtures, Restored Gas Light Fixture, Tin Ceiling, Reproduction Lighting
Library/Landing: Mahogany Lighted Built-in Bookcases with Antique Leaded Glass Doors, Ceiling Medallions, Crown & Picture Molding
Master Bedroom: Mahogany Fireplace, Ceiling Medallion, Crown Molding, Servant Call Bells, Closet with built-in drawer storage, Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
Dressing Room with direct access to Master Bedroom: Hardwood Flooring, Mahogany Fireplace, Ceiling Medallion, Two Closets
Master Bath: Cultured Marble Tub & Vanity top, Cherry Vanity, Hardwood Flooring, Embossed Ceiling, Tiled Shower, Exhaust Fan
2nd Bedroom (Guest): Closet w/built-ins, Wall-to-Wall Carpeting, Bracketed Slant Windows
3rd Bedroom (Sunroom): Fieldstone Flooring, Crown Molding, Sink, Closet, Ceiling Fan, Door to Second Floor Balcony facing the Courtyard,
4th Bedroom (3rd fl) or Office: Gas fixtures, Carpeting, Servant Call Bell wiring, Closet
5th Bedroom (3rd fl) or second Office: Gas Fixture, Wide-Board Original Wood Flooring, Closet
Attic: Walk-up, Cedar Closet, Shelving, Thermostatically-controlled Whole House Exhaust Fan, Storage
Back Hall: Second staircase to Second Floor; Restored Gas Fixtures, Shelf
2nd Bath: Tiled shower, Italian Octagonal Mosaic Tile floor, Wainscoting, Chair rail, Crown molding; Exhaust fan, Exposed Brick
Basement: Full Basement with Interior and Exterior Walkout Access, Partially Finished with Wet Bar and 2nd Refrigerator, Laundry Area with Washer & Dryer, Linen Closet, Sitting Area, Wood Burning Stove, Office or additional bedroom, 300-Bottle Wine Cellar, Unfinished Portion with Mechanicals and Work Bench Area

Exterior Features

Style: Victorian, Queen Anne 2 ½ stories
Front Doors: Two-toned Mahogany
Garage: Detached Carriage House, 3+ Car Garage, Automatic Remote-Controlled Door
Carriage House Features: 2600 Sq. Ft., Cupola, Antique Copper Weathervane, Horse Stall, Tack Room with Harness Hangers, Glass Cabinetry & Upper Storage, 2nd floor contains Bedroom for Carriagemen, Bead & Board Wood Paneling, Significant Storage Space
Parking: Off-street Parking for 4 – 6 cars
Fencing: Granite-look Stone Wall, Walpole Woodworkers Victorian Spindle Top Fence
Courtyard Patio: Brick with Granite edging
Grounds: Massive 200+ year-old Copper Beech Tree, Landscaped Cutting Flower Garden, Gaslight (electrified) Brick Walkway, Statuary, Fountain/Bird Bath
Lot Description: Level, Fenced
Street Description: Paved, Main, City Maintained Sidewalks (streets and sidewalk are snowplowed by the City)
Foundation: Stone, Brick
Siding: Initially Restored in 1997, Fish-scale and Octagonal Shingles & Clapboard, Historically Sensitive 5-Color Paint Job 2005
Roofing: 30 Year Certainteed Landmark Architectural Asphalt Shingles 2004, Steeply pitched

Tax and Property Improvement Assessment

Taxes in 2012 were $4,964
Tax Year 2011
Parcel ID Plat 32, Lot 107
Total Assessed Value $406,900

William H. Smith House c1881

What to Think About When Purchasing a Historic Home
So you would like to live in a historic home. Historic homes appeal to people for a variety of reasons. Many homeowners like the idea of a historic home because it had significant relevance in the past, while others may just like "the look" of architecture from years past. A large contingency of buyers, while certainly admiring the property's aesthetic qualities, appreciate living in a manner that is just not possible in a modern home, even a McMansion !

Of course, you have concerns. Is the home structurally sound? How old is the heating system? How much does it cost to heat? How is the electrical? How old is the roof? Is it insulated? Are the windows cold and drafty? Are the water pipes ready to burst?

We know these are some of your practical concerns. And no amount of highly polished mahogany or breathtaking stained glass windows, raised panel walls and ceilings or copper sinks will ease these concerns. So we will answer those questions for you here.

We have done a lot to bring this home mechanically and structurally forward. We didn’t entrust this job to just anyone. We are lucky enough to have trades people among our family and friends. Carpenters, plumbers and electricians who would take the care just as though it were their own home, people who we trusted to do the job right and with confidence that this home would be functional for another 100 years.

Why did that matter to us, when we were probably only going to occupy this home for 20 years? We have a deep love of architecture and history. We felt a certain responsibility that this home should be around for the next generation and the next.

Structurally Sound?

This home has been standing for 130 years. The carriage house had to have some structural work performed on it when we purchased it in 1994. The main home had little damage from wood-eating insects. These were all eradicated in 1994 and we have maintained a contract with a pest-control company ever since. The home is inspected each spring and preventative spraying is done for carpenter ants. All prior bug damage has been addressed, and wherever necessary, replaced or reinforced with new beams and/or bug retardant materials, such as mahogany.

Heating System?

The steam heating system was installed in the 1920’s and as was the custom at the time, the system is larger than is necessary. Steam-fed radiators are in every room and in the halls and staircases. Steam heating systems have several benefits that aren't often discussed. They have few moving parts, making them more reliable and durable than newer, more complicated heating systems. They also provide clean and dust-free heat, a huge plus for homeowners who react negatively to the dust and other allergens that can be stirred up by forced air and other modern heating systems.

The heart of the steam heating system is the boiler that heats the water to turn it to steam which is then fed to the radiators throughout the house. The gas-fired boiler in the William H. Smith House was installed in 2002. Unlike many steam boilers, this new high efficiency boiler heats water to steam so quickly, it does not need to run to keep the water supply at a high temperature waiting for the house to call for heat and then heat the hot-water an additional few degrees to generate steam. When the thermostats (2 zones) are not calling for heat, the boiler does not run saving energy and money.

Prior to this, the home was heated by an oil-fired boiler probably dating back to the ‘60s. However, because the house was fully insulated during the 1970’s energy crisis and contains triple-storm windows, the oil burner consumed only about 10 gallons of oil per day, already efficient prior to our heating system upgrade. Now using natural gas and new high efficiency burner, the heating cost for the winter of 2008-09 was approximately $1,800.

Hot Water

Hot water heaters are famous for leaking as soon as their warranty is up. No need to worry here. The 50 gallon electric hot water tank was replaced in September, 2009.

Electrical

The electrical system was continually updated from the time electric lights replaced gas lamps. A major electrical service upgrade was completed in the 1980’s with circuit breakers replacing the old fuses and a general upgrade to the supply. In 2000, we had a second upgrade to the electricity on the third floor, family room in the finished basement and carriage house – all areas that were ignored in the 1980’s upgrade. The 2000 upgrade was actually also an upgrade to the main electrical service as it reduced the load on the electrical panel installed in the 1980’s and installed two additional electrical panels in the carriage house and on the third floor of the main home.

Roof

The roof is steeply pitched, an architectural detail of Queen Anne Victorians, and a prominent feature of the home. It is covered by 30-year Certainteed® Landmark Architectural Asphalt Shingles that were installed on both the main house and the carriage house in 2004, In addition, when the roofing job was done, the old shingles were completely removed and a layer of ¾ inch plywood was applied over the 1881 roofing material. We did this because the number of roofs applied over the previous 100+ years had resulted in many nail holes in the original roofing material. By installing the plywood over the original roofing, the new shingles had a smooth, solid base to adhere to and the result is a tighter, stronger roof. Ridge vents were added at that time to insure maximum ventilation.

Insulation

As mentioned above, the entire exterior walls and attic floor were insulated during the 1970’s energy crisis. This is blown-in cellulose insulation. Cellulose Insulation is one of the greenest products in the world. Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newsprint and other paper sources, paper that might otherwise end up in landfills, releasing greenhouse gases as it decomposed. With cellulose insulation you get both great value and great performance, including the highest R-value per inch, excellent fire retardant capabilities and exceptional sound control.

Research from the Colorado University found that cellulose is at least 36% better than fiber glass in tightening buildings against the cold. Cellulose is not subject to convective heat loss, which has been shown to reduce the actual R-value of comparable mineral fiber materials from 20 to 40 percent in cold weather. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory measured actual values as low as R-12 at nine degrees F for an R-19 fiber glass installation. Oak Ridge found no R-value erosion with cellulose.

In addition to insulation, the windows in the William H. Smith House are unusually draft-free. The home has traditional exterior aluminum combination storm windows and screens. Inside the storms sit the original single-pane windows. During the 1997 exterior restoration, every window was removed and the weights and hanging ropes were replaced and repaired and every window opened – an unusual feat in a historic home! Inside the home there are plexi-glass storm windows that inconspicuously fit onto the window frames magnetically. The seal between these windows and the window frame is similar to the seal on a refrigerator door.

Water

There are no remaining lead water pipes in the home. Lead pipes were the norm when water systems were installed in this historic structure. Of course, the problem with lead is that it is prone to leaks and each glass of water contains traces of lead! There is nothing to worry about at the William H. Smith House. All water pipes are now copper.

Summary

In summary, there is nothing to be concerned about. It is unusual to find a historic home that has enjoyed a series of concerned home-owners who have taken the time to bring the home into the 21st Century while not destroying the historical accuracy and historic fabric of the structure. These are the things that are most troublesome – and they are all taken care of for you!

William H. Smith House c1881


Living in the City of Attleboro, MA

Historic homes are where you find them. They are not located in clinically planned sub-divisions. The William H. Smith House is located in the heart of the City of Attleboro, Massachusetts. In addition to the advantages of living in a beautiful gilded-age home, made for entertaining friends and family, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has adopted real-estate tax legislation that limits the amount of annual increase. This policy has contained and controlled the local government and forced municipalities to live within their means. Low property taxes are only the beginning. The City is on the threshold of a remarkable transformation from a factory dominated town to a bedroom community for the financial centers of Boston and Providence (Rhode Island). Here are some details of the community that every prospective homeowner wants to know.

Attleboro is a City located in Bristol County, Massachusetts run by an elected Mayor and City Council. The 2009 population was approximately 43,000. It is an ethnically, culturally, and religiously diverse place to live and raise a family. Residents consistently remark that the city life is like living in the 1950’s America, a “city” with a small town feel. The crime rate is significantly below the national average. The city has a total area of 28.3 square miles, of which 27.5 square miles of it is land and 0.8 square miles of it is water. The City has its own reservoir and water shed allowing residents enjoy very clean taste-free tap water.

Attleboro was once known as "The Jewelry Capital of the World" named for its many jewelry manufacturers. William H. Smith built his high style Queen Anne Victorian to celebrate the success of his jewelry manufacturing company – Smith & Crosby. The city is home to many fine homes that were built by the factory owners. Some are located across the street from the factories! The William H. Smith House, however, is located in a neighborhood with other fine homes and smaller homes built during the 20th Century.

History of the City

There is plenty of history in and around the city. Attleboro was incorporated from part of Rehoboth in 1694 as the Town of Attleborough. It was reincorporated in 1914 as the City of Attleboro. Attleboro included the town of Cumberland, Rhode Island, until 1747 and the town of North Attleborough until 1887. When the city re-incorporated in 1914, the "-ugh" was removed from the name; (North Attleborough kept the –ugh spelling.) Like many towns in Massachusetts, it was named for a British town.

The city became known for jewelry manufacturing, notably through the L.G. Balfour Company starting in 1913. However, the company has since moved out of the city, with the site of the former plant turned into a riverfront park. The Balfour Company was not the only jewelry manufacturer or supplier to the jewelry manufacturing trade in Attleboro. At one time, Attleboro was known as "The Jewelry Capital of the World." There are jewelry related manufacturing firms in Attleboro which continue to operate today. One of these companies is Guyot Brothers Company, which was started in 1904. General Findings, M.S. Company, James A. Murphy Co., Garlan Chain, and Masters of Design, which was started by former Balfour employees, are still jewelry related manufacturing companies currently in operation.

Development

The Ten Mile River, a tributary to the Blackstone River, runs through the center of Attleboro, and is fed by several brooks and the Bungay River. This river is the focus of a significant redevelopment effort by the City. The Downtown Development Plan intends to use the river and transportation areas to anchor a residential and recreational infrastructure turning Attleboro from the Jewelry Capital of the World into a premier residential community of the Boston/Providence business and financial centers. Visit the Attleboro Downtown Development web site at http://attleborodowntown.com/default.aspx

One can see the beginnings of the redevelopment project on Wall Street. Work is beginning on the new Olive Street Bridge about 500 yards from the William H. Smith House in the summer of 2011. Relocation of the electrical and other utility lines across the bridge are being designed now.

Attleboro is officially a part of the Providence (Rhode Island) metropolitan area. It is also only a short distance from Boston, and is linked to the Boston metropolitan area via the commuter rail system known as the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority). Providence is home to Johnson & Wales University and its world famous Culinary Institute. This resource of talent has resulted in Providence being the home of many fine restaurants and dining experiences – and it is all located just 15 minutes south of the William H. Smith House. The New York Times has said that the Providence restaurant scene is better than Boston’s and a rival of many pricier places in New York City.

Of course, one does not have to travel to Providence for good food. Located in Attleboro is the historic Colonel Blackinton Inn (http://www.colblackintoninn.com/ ). The Inn, which houses 11 guest rooms, has been created from a historic landmark known as the Blackinton Double House (circa 1850). It is located less than a mile from the center of Attleboro, situated on the bank of the Bungay River. You can take a Virtual Tour of the Colonel Blackinton Inn at their web site.

In addition to the Blackinton Inn, you can walk from the William H. Smith House to Dunkin Donuts for your morning wake-up. A short walk to the center of the City will bring you to a new Italian restaurant and bakery in the renovated historic Ashley Building - Scorpio’s Italian Restaurant serving "home cooked" meals from old family recipes starting in September 2009. Next door to the Attleboro train station is the Fresh Catch Seafood, Steak and Sushi Bar. Fresh Catch was recently featured on The Phantum Gourmet TV Show where it was described as "a hidden jewel." And for a trip back in time for outstanding comfort food, visit Moran’s Diner – an original 1911 diner which has expanded into a wonderful family restaurant and sports bar. It is also within a 10 minute walk of the Smith House and located in Attleboro’s city center.

Of course, if you miss the “chains” you can jump in the car and you are just 10 -15 minutes from Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesdays, Uno’s, Applebee’s, Longhorn Steakhouse, Panera Bread, The 99, or TGI Friday’s. And of course, there are other favorites nearby like, Kozy Kitchen, The Hearth 'N Kettle, Memphis Roadhouse, The Vineyard, Picadilly Pub, Wetherlaine’s, and Bistro 45. There are also a large variety of ethnic restaurants, but El Azteca Mexican, Fortuna, Ho One, and Attleboro House of Pizza, have stood the test of time and are just a sampling.

Education

Attleboro has its own school department, with five elementary schools, three middle schools, and Attleboro High School. In addition to Attleboro High School, which has its own vocational division, students from the city and surrounding towns may choose to attend Bishop Feehan, a Roman Catholic high school opened in 1961 and named for Bishop Daniel Francis Feehan, second Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River. The city also has a satellite branch of Bristol Community College. Many residents seeking private schools for their pre-high school children avail themselves of the numerous private schools in Providence.

Points of interest

Downtown Attleboro, about 1909
Attleboro has four museums, including the Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro Area Industrial Museum, the Women at Work Museum, and the Museum at the Mill.
Other points of interest within the city include:
• Highland Country Club for golf enthusiasts
• Capron Park, which houses a small, but well respected zoo.
• L.G. Balfour Riverwalk, which was once the site of the L.G. Balfour jewelry plant, is a small park adjacent to the downtown business district.
• YMCA which offering fitness programs for every age
• LaSalette Shrine which has a famous Christmas light display attracting visitors for decades
• Triboro Youth Theatre / Triboro Musical Theatre
• Historic Dodgeville Mill and home of the Museum at the Mill

Just outside the city limits you can find shopping at the Emerald Square Mall or Wrentham Premium Outlets.

Transportation

One of the keys to Attleboro’s popularity is its location. Attleboro is located along I-95 (which enters the state between Attleboro and Pawtucket, Rhode Island), I-295 (whose northern terminus is near the North Attleborough town line at I-95) and US 1, as well as Routes 1A, 118, 123 and 152, the last three all intersecting at Attleboro’s city center. The city is also home to two MBTA commuter rail stations: one in the downtown area and the other near the Rhode Island border in the South Attleboro district. Both modes provide easy access to Boston and Providence. There is also talk of expansion of the commuter rail to Green Airport. From Providence (15 minutes), you can take Amtrak Accela high speed transport (3 hr 2 min) to New York City’s Penn Station or other NE corridor destinations.

Religion

The religions represented by the churches in Attleboro reveal the historic ethnic makeup of the community. The five Roman Catholic churches reflect the English/Irish, formerly French now Hispanic, and Portuguese, neighborhoods, respectively. The Attleboro Area Council of Churches is very active in the community.

All Saints Episcopal Church (1890) on North Main Street represents that traditional English presence in the community — though the church is now very diverse. In 2007 All Saints Episcopal Church divided over the liberal policies of the ECUSA resulting in the establishment of All Saints Anglican Church in the Hebronville village of Attleboro which is affiliated with an Anglican diocese under a Bishop in Uganda.

The historic Second Congregational Church (1748), located near the town common, is typical of a New England town. Second Congregational had a stately white clapboard building that was destroyed by fire. An equally impressive red brick building replaced it in the early 1900s.

Bethany Village Fellowship, formerly Bethany Congregational Church, (1886) is located in South Attleboro at 516 Newport Ave.

Murray Unitarian-Universalist Church (1875) on North Main Street is also typical of a New England town.

Evangelical Covenant Church (1903) on North Main Street recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. It was historically "the Swedish church," though it includes many different ethnic groups today.

Congregation Agudas Achim on Kelly Boulevard is part of the Jewish Reconstructionist movement.

There are a number of Protestant denominations represented in Attleboro including Baptist (Grace Baptist on Oakhill Avenue, the Word of Truth Baptist Church on Union Street, and 1st Baptist on South Main), Christian & Missionary Alliance (Faith Alliance on Pleasant), Advent Christian (also on Pleasant), Fruit of the Spirit Mission Church (located on Leroy Street), Assembly of God (the South Attleboro AOG on Newport Avenue), and New Covenant Church on North Main Street (Rt. 152).

There are also non-denominational churches such as Good News Bible Chapel on West Street (1935) and Candleberry Ministries on South Main St. (Rt. 152). The Body of Christ, a new religious movement, was founded in Attleboro.

The Salvation Army Bridges of Hope located on Mechanic Street offers Sunday Services as well as weekday and evening support services including "Bridging the Gap" for adolescent support.

The owners of the William H. Smith House were the recipients of the 2000 Historic Preservation Award. They were a featured home in the 2007 Attleboro Tour of Historic Homes on Saturday, June 2, 2007. Below is the narrative of that House Tour:


History & Front Door

Front Door

Welcome to the William H. Smith house, an example of high-style Queen Anne Victorian architecture. Some have called South Main Street Attleboro’s Queen Anne Way, with numerous fine examples of the style. This 1881 house is the best example of Queen Anne architecture on South Main Street and is an important integral part of the South Main Street streetscape.

The Victorian era lasted 64 years, from 1837 to 1901. Early Victorian structures were relatively simple in style, while those built after the Civil War in America are more elaborate and flamboyant, very much fueled by the new industrial society. The Queen Annes’ have a gabled roof, shingled insets, angled bay windows under the gable and, on occasion, a tower. This house is also marked by large, prominent chimneys with corbelled tops.

The house has multiple exterior wall materials, including two different shingles and clapboards. At the third level are fish-scale shingles. In the center are octagonal shingles.

The goal in painting this house was to utilize a paint pattern and color to bring attention to such architectural elements as the multiple shingle styles, cornerboards, cutaway corner windows, fluted columns, turned baluster balustrades, crown moldings, latticework, gutter moldings, dentals, scroll brackets, acorn and rosette designs, as well as the wood carved flowers, garland, ribbons, and sunbursts. The house is now painted with five base colors which were selected to highlight all of its architectural ornamentation and to be in keeping with its original paint scheme.

In the last quarter of the 1800’s, the manufacture of jewelry was a key industry in Attleboro. The Victorian architecture appealed to the owners of the jewelry factories as the complexity of the style mirrored the designs emanating from their factories.

The home was designed by William H. Goff who also designed such other buildings in Attleboro as the St. Joseph’s Parish House at 208 South Main Street (1880’s), the Bates Block at 4 Park Street (1886) and the McCormick house at 114 County Street (1886). Goff designed and built 185 South Main Street for William H. Smith, senior partner in the Smith & Crosby jewelry manufacturing company.

South Main Street has a strong association with the manufacture of jewelry, an important component in the industrial development of Attleboro. Numbers 185 and 181 are both associated with the Smith & Crosby jewelry manufacturing firm, with William H. Smith the owner of this spacious Queen Anne home and with his partner, Alfred R. Crosby, later building right next door at 181 Main Street.

Smith & Crosby was established in 1874 and William H. Smith was an original partner along with Alfred H. Crosby. In 1924, they had fifty employees and made a specialty of such solid gold front goods as cuff buttons, fobs, knives, chains, full-dress sets, bracelets, brooches, ear drops, etc.

William H. Smith remained in residence there until approximately 1910.

There is a controversy as to the date of the house and the identity of the original owner. The map on the wall inside the home is from Atlas of Bristol County by Beers 1871. This map identifies the owner of this house as L. Sweet (who may have been the brother to the first mayor of Attleboro), a jeweler located on North Main Street. The estate encompassed from here to approximately 3 miles south as the left boundary and to the railroad tracks to the rear. On the right there was another house. The property was divided up and Manchester Street was named for one of the previous owners of the property – possibly for the person who subdivided the land and created the street. The Attleboro Historical Commission has provided different information and we have gone with their findings.

The front doors are made of two different types of mahogany to give it a two toned look.

There was a round porch where the side porch ends that wrapped around to the front of the house about mid-way and reached to the second floor.

The lampposts were purchased at auction when they were updating the lights on the bridges between Cambridge and Boston and used here at each end of the front yard.

The brick walkway was placed over the original cement sidewalk. The cement apron that surrounds the house (as water and bug protection) still exists 8” below grade. We discovered it when we took out all of the bushes surrounding the foundation and were putting in our own crushed stone apron.

There are a number or architectural details that appear on the outside of the home and are repeated inside. Urn and ribbons that accent the front of the house are repeated in the fireplace inset in the living room. The full and half sunbursts are repeated as well. Swirl and dot carvings on the North side of the home are repeated in many of the stain glass windows. The fretwork above the front porch are repeated in mahogany on the main staircase as you first walk in.


Entry Hall/Foyer, Music Room, Living Room

Foyer

The best feature of the house is this original mahogany paneled staircase. The fretwork or lattice was typical of the time. There is a closet under the stairway. The two stained glass windows here and one in the entry hall between the two doorways have integrated designs on both the exterior and interior. The magnificent two storied stained glass windows are the hallmark of the staircase.

There are 15 stained glass windows in the house, 14 are original to the house. All have had protective exterior storm windows added to preserve them for generations to come. (The stained glass windows were appraised in 2006 for $250 per square foot).

Back then electricity was not very reliable, so this home had both electric and gas lighting. There are 7 gas fixtures still in the house. (For safety reasons the gas source to them has been disconnected and a new gas line has been run for current use). As a matter of fact, there is still a gas jet in the foyer closet.

“What goes around comes around” – although not our personal taste, we were surprised to find that this foil paper (popular in the 70’s) was actually a popular design at the turn of the century as well. A central foyer, such as this, was always a darker area of the home and the use of foil papers or other reflective metallic wall coverings were common in the homes of the wealthy.

All but one of the hardwood floors in the main rooms are the originals. These are characterized by the inlaid designs popular back then. We have added new hardwoods to a few of the other rooms during the course of restoration, as well as exposed and refinished some of the original plank wide board floors .

Just to show you how the quality of materials used in the home have held up, we have a few of the original radiators patented 1875 still working very well in the house.

There are 5 fireplaces in the house, 4 are original. Luckily for us, none of these mantels were ever painted and each has retained its rich oil-stained finish. The 4 originals mantels also have their original firebacks and tiles as well. Each fireback has a different design. The most dramatic is the one in the master bedroom of a face blowing what appears to be the north wind.

The house has been furnished, mostly, with antiques. (In fact, it is easier to point out what is new or reproduction, than it is to name them all). The more interesting ones will be pointed out in each room.

In the foyer, we have a walnut roll top desk from around 1900, mantel clock, and clock statute.

Music Room

This would have been used as a receiving room. The music room and living room was originally two rooms. There would have been a wall between here and the living room. Guests would be asked to wait here to be announced and then shown into the parlor through the doorway left of the mantel in the foyer.

The ceiling medallions in both the music room and living room are plaster originals. The one in this room has a basketweave motif and the one in the living room is designed with blades of grass.

The wall treatment is called lincrusta and it was designed to be painted has been around for about 90 years. It is still available today at prices beginning at approximately $115 per roll.

The stained glass window of the Angel is not original to the house. The original window which has large clear panes has been stored in the attic of the carriage house and is in good condition, so it could be put back by future owners, if they so desired. The previous owner had privacy concerns, so he purchased this window from a church under demolition in upstate NY and had it installed here.

For those interested in antiques, this is a talking machine, but most people call this a Victrola, named after the first maker. (Much like we use Kleenex to refer to tissue). This one is in working order and was made by the Supertone Talking Machine Co. of NY.

Other interesting antiques in the room are the Eastlake Rocker, Marble based White Metal Lamp, Victorian Parlor Chair, Gothic Cherry Table (this one is unique as most were made of mahogany), Needlepoint footstools, and Chippendale Low Boy. Note: The piano is missing, currently residing in VA with the owner’s son.

The glass topped coffee table has some old postcards depicting scenes of South Main Street -1897 in the snow & tree lined street, Park Street, County Street, The Solomon Sanitorium at La Sallette*, and Capron Park Casino.
*There is a cornerstone from this building in our patio garden that was purchased after the tragic fire that leveled it.

You will notice that the ceiling molding changes here from egg & dart to wreath & garland as you move to the Living Room. There appears to be a minor change in the hardwood floor where it is believed a wall used to be, separating the receiving room from the formal parlor that we refer to as the Living Room.

Living Room

The fireplace mantel insets repeat the urn & ribbon theme from the accents on the peak of the front of the house, the fans from the corbels on the exterior the house, and the dots from the stained glass windows. The fireback is floral. The glazed herringbone brick styled tiles with floral insets are original.

Antiques
Victorian Marble top Plant Stand
Parlor Couch (recovered)
His & Hers, aka king & queen, rolled back pleated chairs
Tapestry & Needlepoint Footstools
Bridge arm Reading Lamp

The pull cord is just decorative, but we still have several of the call bell buttons for the servants in various places in the house.

Landing/Library, Guest, Master Bedroom

Landing/Library

You will notice that the triple window design is repeated in many of the stained glass windows.

The hanging light fixture above the stairway came from a church and the one at the top of the stairs is original as well as the two ceiling medallions above them.

The bookcase is not original to the house. The leaded glass doors were purchased from an antiques dealer in Germany and brought back here. The mahogany floor to ceiling bookcases were built around them to seamlessly integrate them with the mahogany balustrades.

The artwork on the right wall at the top of the landing is a page from a decorators wallpaper sample book which depicted 17th century wallpapers that were in popular demand for use in Victorian homes.

Antiques
Console Table
Gold embossed leather top Library Table with various inlaid woods
Fruitwood Side Chair
Torchiere

On the Table are photos

1. About 1910 when the shutters & round porch was still on the house
2. 1912 – 1915 John Simmonds with his dog – shutters were removed (but are still in the attic of the carriage house). Check out the car in the driveway.
3. 1916 – 1920 one of the Simmonds family in front of the round porch
4. 1916 – 1920 one of the Simmonds family in front of the carriage house (see the enlargement of this photo framed in the downstairs back hall)
5. 1979 the round porch is gone, the 2 side porches had rotted out and were in the process of being rebuilt.


Guest Room

These stained glass windows are on the east side of the house and the rising sun creates dancing spotlights on the rug near the foot of the bed. Notice that the dots are repeated again as in the other windows as well as in the Living Room mantel.

Due to the fact that electricity was unreliable, each closet had a window to provide natural light. The design in each window was different, but the sunburst pattern from the exterior woodworking detail was repeated here. Also, several closets have built-in dressers and additional shelving.


Antiques
Brass bed c1900
Bookcase of mahogany with a lighter stain
Bedside commode in golden oak
Brass oil lamp (converted to electricity)
Bungalow style dark oak rocker
Cherry Tilt-top Table
Victorian Spindle Table

Master Bedroom



In the restoration of this room and the back hall, we discovered what may have been the original wallcoverings.


Ceiling medallion is original.

Within the Closet there are both a window and built-in dresser. All of the dresser hardware is original and restored by the owner. The window is a half sunburst design repeated from the exterior woodworking detail.

Windows

The Queen Anne window is marked by square window lights surrounding a large central light on the top over a large single pane in the bottom such as these. Large pane windows were just coming into vogue when this house was built as the ability to manufacture glass in large pieces was relatively new and a sign of wealth for those able to afford such a luxury.

Fireplace

The fireback for this fireplace is the North Wind and the owner’s favorite.

Servant call bells are to the right of the door as you enter and left of the doorway leading to the dressing room.

Antiques
Bedroom Set
Desk
Vanity

The marble top sink and vanity were probably added to the house in 1920 – 30’s. The hardware is Art Nouveau. It was not uncommon to go from a bedroom washbasin stand to a sink in the bedroom when plumbing became available. It has been restored to working condition.

Dressing Room

This room was probably originally a nursery and had the fireplace for heat. These are the original tiles and mantel. There are two closets at one end.

Antiques
Cedar Chest
Mahogany High Boy Chest
Tiger Maple Armoire
Shoe Polish Stand

The third floor is not open for the tour.
There are two rooms (currently used as offices) that were the maids’ rooms. One room still has the wiring from the call bells hanging from the wall which has been left undisturbed for esthetic purposes.

In the course of doing these two rooms over as offices, the original colors were discovered to be a very bright blue and fuchsia. It is thought that, due to the gas lighting at the time, rooms needed to be vibrant colors to show in a dimly lit room as having any color at all. One room has a double armed gas fixture which could be folded flat against the wall or extended over the bed for reading.

On your way downstairs, peek into the “sunroom” across the hall which used to be a bedroom. The flagstone floor was added in the 70’s when the courtyard balcony was added. The floor was placed over the original hardwood floor and the owners decided to use this room as is. With the door and windows open and the ceiling fan running, it makes a comfortable work or reading room in the summer. What used to be country cabinets were refinished to a more Victorian panel and authentic hardware.

Also, on your right across from the Dressing Room on the way downstairs is the Master Bathroom. The master bath was completely redone with all Victorian reproductions and includes a cultured marble sink and tub.

Note that the back hall was redone in an authentic color scheme. There are pictures at the bottom of the stairs above the antique sideboard that you may wish to see on the way out. There are also two of the 7 restored gas fixtures in this back hall; one at the top of the stairway and one at the lower landing.



Kitchen, Back Hall, Dining Room, Butlers’ Pantry

Kitchen

The side porch and side entrance was used to bring in groceries etc. The side entrance is blocked to provide a space for the home’s stereo system. There used to be a coat closet in the hallway which was back to back with the grocery cupboard. The coat closet would have been an open closet with a curtain, not a door. This shared space has changed proportions to allow the building of a lavette where the coat closet used to be and the grocery cupboard is now taller, but not as deep.


The kitchen has one of 7 existing gas fixtures. There were originally two, like sconces, on this wall, but one was removed by the previous owner to accommodate his large piece of furniture that was on this wall.

The beamed ceiling was put up during the World War II when plaster was rationed and was replaced with fiberboard. (The ceiling was probably collapsing at that time). The fiberboard ceiling was replaced with a plaster ceiling by the current owners.

The wallpaper is a William Morris print called “Pomegranate”. It was originally printed in England in 1876 and still is today. It was purchased by way of a Canadian importer to have something authentic and in keeping with the house.

The bead and board paneling in this room is the original. A special tool had to be made to clean the years of paint buildup from the grooves in the paneling. These are the original cabinets which have seen many faces over the years, but now have been restored to a style that would have been there originally. Radiator covers and other door panels were made to replicate the look of the cabinets.

The floor in this room is an exact replacement of the original floor which was old growth heart pine. The floor was covered with linoleum (which contained 12% asbestos as did most linoleums of that era) previously and would have been too costly to remove and properly dispose of. Instead a 4” x 4” square was cut out down to the original floor to get a sample. A restoration lumber company in NH was identified that was still producing old growth heart pine flooring, so it was ordered and installed directly over the old floor. It was color-matched and tung oil stained to blend with the original hardwoods in the hallway. As a consequence of all of the changes, the kitchen is now more fire retardant than when the current owners moved in.

The map on the wall is from Atlas of Bristol County by Beers 1871. This map identifies the owner of this house as L. Sweet (who may have been the brother to the first mayor of Attleboro), a jeweler located on North Main Street. So there is some controversy as to the date of the house and the identity of the original owner and the actual year that the house was built, be we have worked from the history provided to us by the MA Historical Society and the Attleboro Historical Commission.

Antiques
Oak commode (owned by Frank’s grandmother at the turn of the last century)
Regulator clock
Oak buffet
Oak table & chairs
Tiffany hanging light
Oak pedestal table

The chimney location indicates that at one time there was probably a stove in the “eat-in” part of the kitchen. When building the new cupboards and microwave space, a beehive oven was found imbedded in the side of the chimney.

The tiffany light may have originally been in the living room and at some point in time was relocated here to the kitchen.

If you walk through the galley part of the kitchen (from left to right) you will see that it has subway tiles which were styled after the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC. In the kitchen restoration, all period hardware and cupboard design was replicated from the late 1800’s. The tin ceiling and schoolhouse lights were added to be in keeping with the time.

The corian counter top was cut in a pencil edge to more authentically look like it came from a slab which is what would have been here.

The window over the sink was reconstructed from an old photograph, but uses modern operating hardware to make it more functional. This is an awning window, but the original would have slid up into a pocket in the wall above the window.

While restoring the kitchen wall where the Regulator clock is, we found evidence that there may have been a swinging door into the dining room. We have found are many doors in the attic that we assume have been removed from the house. There was probably one here at the kitchen/back stairway entrance.

Back Hall

The back door and back hall were probably used by the servants to go up to the 3rd floor bedrooms. The call bell buttons can still be seen at the back door on the right as you enter from the rear door near the light switches.

There are two photos; one of the carriage house and one of the sidewalk next to the side porch. This sidewalk is still there and is now covered by the brick walkway.

There is a gas fixture on the wall opposite the photos. The gas fixtures and door hardware were all restored by Frank who invested in his own polishing equipment after doing 4 -5 of these by hand.


Dining Room

Ceiling – Portions of the original ceiling still remain and are supported under this wood paneled ceiling. The original ceiling was plaster and painted with a blue stripe that matched the inlaid design on the hardwood floor. (Photos are in the Restoration Photo Album). The wood paneled ceiling was made by a friend in Cumberland, RI in numbered pieces, then transported here and put together like a puzzle.

The stained glass windows repeat the dots and the interior swirl design is repeated in the wood blocks on the north side of the house between the stained glass windows of the foyer. Landscape spotlights light up these windows when dining here in the evening.

The paneling in dark oak may have been added or replaced in the early 1900’s, based on the fact that there was previously a door to the kitchen on the right wall as you enter from the back hall.

The color of the room is Victorian Rose which is in keeping with the original colors in the house. Through the dining room windows you can see some of the decorative brackets and corbels that decorate the exterior of the house.

Miraculously, this is the original chandelier. It was stored in the attic when it was replaced by one of the previous owners with another chandelier. Through careful shopping at antique shops and shows, we were able to replace the few crystals that were missing and it has now been put back into its rightful place.


Butlers Pantry

The tin ceiling and gaslight style ceiling fixture are reproductions. The tin ceiling was added after the ceiling collapsed from previous water damage. (The house was abandoned for a period of time in its history. Fortunately, respect for private property existed in Attleboro and vandalism was not part of that era).

The butlers’ pantry has one of the original and most ornate gaslight wall fixtures in the house. The hand painted glass shade is believed to be the original as well.

There is a copper sink with a marble counter and original fixtures.
(We had to send the wall fixture out to be restored, but the plumbing fixtures were also restored by Frank)

Looking through the window, you will see a statue of a woman with a pitcher and saucer. On the window sill is a miniature of what she is supposed to look like. Coincidentally, the miniature took a tumble and lost her head too, but it has been glued back together to offer a glimpse of what the outside statue should look like. The statue in the patio garden whimsically holds its head on the saucer. Although, several tradespeople have offered to fix it, the owners like it as it is.

The butlers’ pantry window is the twin to the kitchen window that was remade for over the kitchen sink. This original window opened by moving it straight up into a wall pocket.

The cabinetry is original but it had suffered much painting and recovering over the years. It has been completely stripped down, the original wood sanded and stained in Brazilian cherry. The hardware matching the original latch and locks were finally found at a boatmaker’s supply house. The bin pulls are a design patented in the 1880’s and made from the original molds. The idea for lighting the cabinets came from a mansion tour in Newport.

Backyard, Exterior, & Carriage House

Backyard & Carriage House

The two copper topped shed roofs over the back door and carriage house side door were added by the current homeowners. The brackets were copied from existing brackets above the carriage house front doors.

Notice the sunburst over the hallway window above the back doorway. It is one of the patterns repeated throughout the house.

The carriage house was a working carriage house. It consists of two floors and a full basement. On the first floor there was carriage space, a space to wash the carriage with a drain, 4 horse stalls, and an “outhouse” style facility for the workers. On the second floor there is bedroom for the carriage man and there was a berthing stall in the basement. The carriage house was steam heated and the radiators remain. (They are wonderfully ornate). The furnace is in the basement and was fueled with coal. Prior to this source of heat, the horse manure was allowed to collect in the basement below the horse stalls. Vent pipes ran from this area to the cupola to allow for the venting of the methane gas but the heat from the decaying manure rose to increase the temperature in the horse stall area of the carriage house. Over the front door to the garage there is a door to receive hay. There is also a large overhead door in the ceiling that can be opened for lifting hay up to the second floor. Each of the horse stalls has a hay feeding system consisting of a shoot down which the hay was dropped landing in a feeding station at the height of the horses head. The horses always had fresh hay to eat and the carriage men only had to fill the system once a day.

The carriage house is not on the tour, but whenever the owners have a yard sale, they enjoy educating curious customers.

The driveway and walkway are made from Old English brick, rather than common brick.

There are two stones in the patio courtyard. The plain one in the far bed is one of the cornerstones of what was formerly the Solomon Sanitorium at the LaSalette Shrine commonly called the “castle” by the locals. These stones were “sold” for a donation for what was salvaged when it burned down a few years ago. The other fancy one is a piece of The Outlet Company in Providence, RI, also salvaged when the building was destroyed by a fire.

The garden statue is of a woman with a pitcher and holding a cup or a saucer. Her head was broken in an accident and now she holds it in the saucer.

You are welcome to walk around the exterior to see some of the elaborate architectural detail.

Thanks for coming.