United States Customhouse (New Bedford, Massachusetts) facts for kids
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U.S. Customhouse
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Front (east) elevation, 2008
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | New Bedford, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1834 |
| Architect | Robert Mills |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | New Bedford Historic District (ID66000773) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000735 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | December 30, 1970 |
| Designated NHLDCP | November 13, 1966 |
The United States Customhouse is a very old and important building in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It's located at 2nd and William Streets. A famous architect named Robert Mills designed it in 1834. He used a style called Greek Revival.
This building has been used by the U.S. Customs Service ever since it was built. Today, it still works as a place where goods and people officially enter the country. Because of its beautiful design, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970. It's considered one of the best examples of a Greek Revival government building in New England.
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Why This Building Was Built
In 1789, New Bedford became an important center for the U.S. Customs District. This meant it was a key place for collecting taxes on goods coming into the country. Colonel Edward Pope was the first person in charge of customs here.
By 1825, New Bedford was super important for the whaling industry. It even became the "whaling capital of the world," beating out Nantucket. Whaling was a huge business back then! Because New Bedford was such a busy port, the U.S. Congress decided to build a special Custom House in 1832.
They first set aside $15,000 for the building. But the U.S. Treasury Department wanted the new building to be fireproof. So, they needed more money. With extra funds, construction started in 1834. The total cost was about $31,000.
Meet the Architect: Robert Mills
The design of the U.S. Custom House is credited to Robert Mills (1781–1855). He was a very famous architect. He also designed the U.S. Treasury Building and the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, DC.
Mills designed three other U.S. Custom Houses around the same time. These were in New London, Middletown, Connecticut, and Newburyport, Massachusetts. All four buildings are similar in style and size. However, the New Bedford building is the largest and most detailed. These buildings were early examples of how the government started to standardize building designs.
A Landmark Building
In 1958, some people thought the U.S. Custom House was too old-fashioned. But it was beautifully fixed up in 1962. In 1966, it became part of the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District.
Then, in 1970, it was officially named a National Historic Landmark. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. Later, in 1996, the U.S. Custom House became part of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
Building Design and Style
The U.S. Custom House in New Bedford was built between 1834 and 1836. It's a great example of a public building designed in the Greek Revival style. It sits a few blocks from the water. The building is long and symmetrical. It has been a city landmark since it was finished.
After a big fire in 1833 in Washington, DC, the government changed its rules for federal buildings. They wanted all new buildings to be fireproof. The first plan for the Custom House was for a brick building with wood. But Robert Mills designed a strong building made of solid stone. His design showed how skilled he was at building fireproof structures.
The Custom House is a grand building. It is five sections wide and three sections deep. It has two main floors above a full basement. The walls are made of granite and stone. The floors are supported by brick arches. The roof is sloped and held up by wood frames covered in zinc. Four chimneys rise from the middle of the building. They surround what used to be an observatory on the roof.
The most striking part of the building is the large entrance area on the east side. This feature is called a portico. It was very expensive and almost not included in the original plan. But it was added in 1836. This fancy portico is a key part of the Greek Revival style. It has four tall, slightly tapered Doric order columns. Each column is about 25 feet tall. They support a triangular roof section called a pediment.
Inside, the building is simpler. This shows that the government was careful with money back then. It also reflects the simple beauty of the Greek Revival style. On the first floor, offices are arranged along a central hallway. The main stairs are on the south side. The main hall is on the second floor.
Some original features are still there. These include the arched ceilings in the first-floor offices. There are also plastered walls and wooden counters. A special measuring device from 1859 is still built into the wall. Some wooden wall panels from the late 1800s are also present. The original pine floors are now covered with black and white marble tiles. The main staircase is simple but well-made. In 1837, someone wrote that the stairs were "not surpassed by any which we have ever seen."
In the 1960s, the building was restored. The outside was cleaned. The windows were replaced with new ones that looked like the originals from the 1830s. The building was cleaned again in 1981. There are plans for more improvements to keep this important building in good shape.
Important Dates for the Custom House
- 1832: Congress approves building the U.S. Custom House.
- 1833: Robert Mills designs this Custom House and three others in New England.
- 1834-1836: The U.S. Custom House is built.
- 1958: A report says the 120-year-old building is "functionally outdated."
- 1961-1962: The building is studied and then restored.
- 1966: The U.S. Custom House becomes part of the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District.
- 1970: The building is named a National Historic Landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1996: The building becomes part of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.
Quick Facts About the Building
- Architect: Robert Mills
- Built: 1834-1836
- Special Status: National Historic Landmark
- Also listed in the National Register of Historic Places
- Part of the New Bedford National Historic Landmark District
- Location: 37 North Second Street
- Building Style: Greek Revival
- Main Material: Hallowell granite
- Most Noticeable Feature: The Portico (front entrance with columns)
Images for kids
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Customhouse in the early 1930s
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