83 Spring Street – The Friends Meetinghouse, 1822
83 Spring Street, The Friends Meetinghouse, 1822 Joseph Rotch donated the lot to the Friends in 1785. The Friends Meetinghouse represents much of what the surrounding community found valuable. While Friends had claimed to strive only for plainness and to avoid ostentation, they became invested in rigid uniformity in dress, speech, way of living and style of house building. Their houses were built from the same plan, serving as an expression of the dominant influence on the social, religious, and business life in New Bedford. The brick structure is sober, simple and without the slightest hint of decoration. The separate entrances for men and women can be seen as an outward manifestation of the strict morals upon which the faith was based. While this separation of the sexes is not the practice today, it is the visible legacy of a tradition that encouraged simple – even spartan – living. This externalization of beliefs encouraged New Bedford's Quakers to found a branch of the Anti-Slavery Society in 1834 and to participate in the extensive Underground Railroad network until the Civil War. Some of the former ew Bedford Quakers became Unitarians.In his 1845 autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass mentions two men who were members of New Bedford Monthly Meeting -- William C. Taber and Joseph Ricketson because of their assistance in helping Douglass and his wife get to New Bedford from Newport, Rhode Island when he was escaping enslavement. "They seemed at once to understand our circumstances, and gave us such assurance that their friendliness has put us fully at ease in their presence. It was good indeed to meet with such friends, at such a time," Douglass wrote of Taber and Ricketson. William C. Taber led the Quaker congregation's business meetings of New Bedford Monthly Meeting from 1835 until early 1852. He was also the meeting's treasurer from 1831 through 1848.
17-19 Seventh Street, 1785
17-19 Seventh Street, 1785, National Historic LandmarkThis structure was the original Friends Meeting House located on Spring Street. In 1824, the Society of Friends embarked on the construction of a new brick Meeting House on Spring Street and sold this structure. Records indicate that the building was constructed in 1785, when the larger Dartmouth Monthly Meeting of Friends deemed the New Bedford congregation large enough to build a separate meetinghouse. By the early 1820s, however, the 1785 structure was too small for the congregation. Purchased by Nathan Johnson, the building was moved into an adjacent site at the corner of Seventh and Spring where it sits today. Evidence of the building’s origins as a Meeting House are evident in the entrance, which is separated for men and women.
21 Seventh Street – Owned by Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson
21 Seventh Street, Nathan and Mary (Polly) JohnsonNational Historic LandmarkFederal and Greek Revival Styles21 Seventh Street, built by Nathan Johnson, is a mix of both the Federal and Greek Revival styles. The original two-story house built in the Federal style is attached to the circa 1855 Greek Revival front that sits on Seventh Street. Nathan and Polly Johnson owned several properties in this area, but 21 Seventh Street was their primary residence. The Johnsons were abolitionists and members of the anti-slavery society and active participants on the Underground Railroad. In 1838, the Johnsons offered shelter to Frederick Johnson, a recently escaped slave and Anna, his free-born wife. While staying with the Johnsons, Frederick changed his last name to Douglass with encouragement from Nathan Johnson. While living in New Bedford, Frederick Douglass began his journey as a national abolitionist and civil rights leader. Douglass actually remained in New Bedford until 1842, when he left to travel and lecture on his experiences as a slave to abolitionist groups throughout the country.
27 Seventh Street, Ruth L. Smith House, circa 1870
27 Seventh Street, Ruth L. Smith House, circa 1870,Stick StyleThe Ruth L. Smith House is one of the few late 19th century homes built in Old Bedford Village. Ruth Wilcox, the daughter of a whaling captain, married Henry Smith, a mariner who shipped out of New Bedford with her father, Captain Wilcox. After Henry’s death at the age of 50, Mrs. Smith built the house for her oldest son, Henry Wilcox Smith, a local photographer. This structure built in the Stick style has many elements common to that style, such as the “X” braces over the windows and the king post truss along the porch.
43 Seventh Street – Captain Edward Merrill House
43 Seventh Street – Captain Edward Merrill House, Federal Style, 1825 to 1833This Federal style, five-bay hipped roof house was built by Captain Edward Merrill between 1825 and 1833. Captain Merrill came to New Bedford from Maine to work in the whaling industry. He is best known as the developer and builder of “Merrill's Wharf”located at the foot of Walnut Street. Not only did Captain Merrill construct the “Bourne Counting House” found on the wharf, but also the Baker-Robinson Oil Works candlehouse located across the street. Edward “Black Hawk” Robinson rented this house in 1834 and it is most likely the birthplace of his daughter, Henrietta “Hetty” Howland Robinson Green, known as the richest woman in America at the time of her death in 1916.
One Howland Terrace, 1910, Nathaniel C. Smith
One Howland Terrace, Nathaniel C. Smith, 1910, Craftsman’s StyleDesigned by and built in 1910 for noted New Bedford architect, Nathaniel C. Smith, this residence is an early Foursquare style. The shingled wall covering is broken by a string course on every third row of the first floor, while a wider string course separates the two stories. Ornate shutters are found on the multi-paned windows. Nathaniel C. Smith, born in New Bedford in 1866, attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris in 1889. Smith’s designs include the New Bedford Textile School, built in three stages in 1893, 1898 and 1901, the Dunbar School on Dartmouth Street, the Fall River YMCA, the Brockton Public Library, the “Studio” for the Swain School (now incorporated into the Kennedy-Donovan Center), and dozens of homes in New Bedford.
47 South Sixth Street (rear), Mary Rotch House, 1838 (Rear of Our Lady of Assumption Church)
47 South Sixth Street (rear), Mary Rotch House, 1838The green vinyl-sided house behind Our Lady of Assumption Church was built in 1838 for Mary Rotch, age sixty-one, and the youngest child of William Rotch, Sr. In that same year she moved into this house with her companion, Mary Gifford, daughter of Warren Gifford of Dartmouth, who inherited the house after Mary Rotch died in 1848. This late Federal style house sat on the corner of South Sixth Street and Joli Gonsalves Way (formerly Cherry Street) and was moved west to make way for the construction of the church in 1957. Mary Rotch held strong anti-slavery beliefs as did her father, William Rotch. She employed and shared her home with several people of color. In 1893, the house at 47 South Sixth Street became the Unitarian parsonage, until it was sold to the Catholic Diocese of Fall River. Currently, the building serves as a church community center.
42 South Sixth Street, Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 1924
42 South Sixth Street, Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 1924, Byzantine styleOriginally built as the Tifereth Israel Synagogue in 1924, it is the first religious edifice in which the Byzantine style of architecture predominates. The dominant feature of the Byzantine style was the planning and construction of the dome which became the most striking feature. This building continues to serve New Bedford's religious community as the home of a different denomination. Designed by local architect Nathaniel C. Smith 1924, this building served as a synagogue for almost 70 years before the congregation moved to a newer structure. Since that time, the building has been continuously used for religious purposes.
38 South Sixth Street – Captain John Howland Jr. 1834
38 South Sixth Street – Captain John Howland Jr. 1834, Federal and Greek Revival StylesCaptain John Howland, Jr. was a partner in the firm of 'J. and J. Howland,' which he co-owned with his brother, James. John Howland, Jr. was born in New Bedford in 1782, and died in 1852. This early Greek Revival style brick mansion is the largest of the three brick mansions in that area. The mansion employs Doric columns, the most monumental of the classical orders, which reflects the dignified simplicity of Quaker taste in New Bedford. The original chimneys, window shutters and the roof balustrade have been removed.
34 South Sixth Street, David Coffin House, 1934
34 South Sixth Street, David Coffin House, 1934, Federal and Greek Revival StylesThis home was one of several large and imposing homes built by successful merchants after the installation of streetlights and paving stones on this street, creating a more cosmopolitan atmosphere in the city. Coffin's parents had come to New Bedford from Nantucket and it may be no coincidence that this home is similar to residences built by his Nantucket cousins between 1837 and 1839, however, it is unknown whether or not David Coffin and his cousins actually shared any communication. The Greek Revival style portico is combined with Federal period details, such as the stepped parapet gable ends connecting to bridged chimneys. In later years, the rear veranda was enclosed, and the window shutters and a rooftop balustrade were removed. David Coffin owned six whaling vessels in the mid-1830s, "Cherokee," "Elizabeth," "Fenelon," "Leader," “Marcella,” and the “Nile.” David Coffin also owned a candleworks and tryhouse on Water Street in New Bedford. 'Coffin's Wharf,' at the foot of Walnut Street, was once one of the busy whaling wharves during the heyday of the whale fishery. William Coffin, nephew of David Coffin, resided in the home most of his life and was an active abolitionist. William was a supporter of the abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator, and of the Boston Vigilance committee, which assisted fugitive slaves.
23 South Sixth Street, Gideon Allen House, 1830
23 South Sixth Street, Gideon Allen House, 1830, Greek Revival StyleIn 1830, a fire destroyed brothers Gideon and William Allen's back-to-back homes located on lots on Sixth and Seventh Streets. Both brothers immediately rebuilt their homes in strikingly similar architectural styles. Both houses, built in brick, possess a dramatic Federal style fanlight above the entry door and delicate Corinthian columns on the portico. The Allen brothers owned shares in multiple whaling ships, including the “Octavia,” the “Brahmin,” the “Coral,” the “Victory,” and the “Francis.” Gideon also owned shares of whaling ships in his own name.In 1918, the building at 23 South Sixth Street was purchased from the estate of F. William Oesting by The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, who made extensive renovations and alterations to it.
