John F. Adams House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John F. Adams House
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | 11 Allen Avenue, Pawtucket, Rhode Island |
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| Built | 1867 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| MPS | Pawtucket MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003804 |
| Added to NRHP | November 18, 1983 |
The John F. Adams House is a special old house located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It was built in 1867. In 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of important historical sites in the United States. Even though it was listed with a slightly different name (John E. Adams House), its unique look and design were called the "finest late Italianate dwelling still standing in Pawtucket." This means it's one of the best examples of a certain type of house style from that time.
The house has interesting features like "Moorish window hoods" and "Indian porch columns." It was even moved back about 50 feet (15 meters) and turned to face a different street in 1929. This big move didn't stop it from being recognized as an important historical building.
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About the John F. Adams House
This house was built in 1867 by John F. Adams. He was a rich businessman who made printed fabrics. Later, he even became the mayor of Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1898.
The person who designed the John F. Adams House is not known for sure. However, experts who studied the house for the National Register of Historic Places believe the architect was probably not from the local area. They think this because of the special "Indian-derived columns" and other design details that came from Eastern styles. These types of details were first used in the 1840s by an architect named Henry Austin.
What Makes It Special?
The John F. Adams House looks a lot like other buildings designed by Henry Austin and his followers. It also shares features with the James Knapp House, which was shown in a famous book about American architecture. These similarities include the overall shape of the house, its small tower on the roof called a cupola, and its unique Moorish-style windows.
Even though the architect's name isn't known, records show that Nathan Crowell was the carpenter for the house. Some people think Crowell might have copied designs from books, which was common back then. The house's design is a great example of the unique style found in lower Connecticut during that time.
Moving a House!
The John F. Adams House originally faced Broadway, a different street. But in 1929, a company called Beacon Oil Company bought the property. Instead of tearing down the house to build a gas station, they decided to move it!
They moved the house about 50 feet (15 meters) backward and turned it 90 degrees so it would face Allen Avenue. This was a big job! Even with this move, the house kept its historical value. It's located on Pawtucket Assessor's Plat 20B, lot 529. Close by, you can find the Fuller Houses, which are two identical twin homes.
Why This House Is Important
The John F. Adams House is considered the "finest late Italianate dwelling still standing in Pawtucket." Its unique details, like the Moorish window hoods and Indian porch columns on the front, are special and can't be found on other houses in the city. These details connect the Adams House to other similar homes built in the mid-1800s by Henry Austin and his followers near New Haven, Connecticut.
Even though the house was moved, it still met the requirements to be on the National Register of Historic Places. This is because its architectural style and history are very important. The move was considered a minor change that didn't take away from its significance. The John F. Adams House was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
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