Scientific American Building Edition - A Residence at Springfield Mass.

Taken from Scientific American, Building Edition. November 1899

A RESIDENCE AT SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

WE present on page 85 in this issue a residence which has been erected for Dr, Francis M. Bennitt, at Springfield, Mass.

The design is architecturally good, and is treated in the Elizabethan style. It has a combination of excellent features, both externally and internally, while the whole is most complete. The underpinning is built of red brick, laid up in red mortar, and the chimney is built in a similar manner. The exterior is covered with sheathing paper, and then. shingles, stained a dark brown color with bottle green trimmings. The gables are beamed and paneled and filled in with stucco-work. The roof is shingled.

Dimensions: Front, 46 ft. 6 in. ; side, 43 ft.., not including piazza. Height of ceilings: Cellar, 8 ft. ; first story, 9 ft. 6 in.; second, 8 ft. 6 in. ; third, 8 ft.

The interior is most excellently arranged, and it is finished off in a very handsome manner. The entrance is through a vestibule, paneled with oak and provided with tiled floor. The hall is trimmed with oak, and it has a paneled wainscoting and ceiling beams, and it contains an open fireplace built, of brick. With tiled hearth and facings, with wrought iron. trimmings, and a massive oak mantel with columns.

The staircase is one of handsome design, with massive newel posts treated in the English. style, and is lighted effectively by a cluster of stained glass windows. This staircase hall is separated from hall proper by an archway with pilasters with carved caps.

The parlor and library are trimmed with cherry, and the former contains an open fireplace trimmed with tiles, and mantel of cherry, with mirror. The library has a bay window thrown out with seat. The dining room is trimmed with oak, and it contains a paneled wainscoting and ceiling beams. The butler's pantry is fitted up with bowl, cupboards, dressers and closets. Tire kitchen and its apartments are wainscoted and are furnished with the best modern conveniences.

The second floor contains four bedrooms with large closets, nursery, and bathroom, wainscoted in oak, and furnished with porcelain fixtures and exposed nickelplated plumbing. These apartments on this floor are treated with cherry and white enamel.

The third floor contains two bedrooms, trunk room, bathroom and billiard room. A cemented cellar contains furnace, laundry and other necessary apartments.

Cost complete $9,000. G. Wood Taylor, architect.

Our engravings were made direct from photographs of the building, taken specially for the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN.

Note: this house was at 120 Sumner Ave. It is no longer standing, the Kodimoh temple now occupies that lot.