University Green Area Heritage StudyHistoric Burlington Research Project - HP 206Historic Preservation Program - University of Vermont |
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41-43 South Prospect Street
Nicholson House
In the mid 19th century the house was
under the ownership of engineer Faniel C. Linsley. As an engineer for the
Central Vermont Railroad company, Linsley is known for his design of an
egg-shaped arched railroad tunnel.
[6]
Mrs.
Lucy Ann Abbot resided in the home during the 1870s.
[7]
The estate
was then taken over by William H. Hart who was President of Vermont Life
Insurance Company.
[8]
After relocating to Portland, Maine, William H. Hart sold the home in 1893 to
Mr. Albert Richardson.
[9]
Richardson lived on the south end of Williams Street and purchased the home at
41 South Prospect Street for use as an income property.
[10]
He converted
the property into a duplex and gave it the elaborate Victorian detail evident
today. Richardson was also responsible for drastically “updating” the facade by
adding two window bays, a two-story front porch with elaborate detail,
decorative pediments that adorn the window bays, and a rear, gable roof
addition to the house as well. These additions transformed 41 South Prospect
Street into a two family home with
the second residence being 43 South Prospect
Street.
[11]
One of the most interesting details
added is the basket-shaped balcony found in the gable of the western elevation,
from which you can view Lake Champlain (detail seen on left).
The University of Vermont acquired the property in 1913 and over the years made additional alterations to the building. For example aluminum siding was added to most of the building in 1974, which still covers its wave pattern shingles and scallops today. [12] A
number of different tenants occupied this two-family home since the University’s
acquisition. In 1926 University of Vermont Professor Arthur B. Myrick lived at
43 South Prospect Street.
[14]
Myrick taught Romance languages and literature during the 1920s.
[15]
The 1932 city directories show
Assistant Professor Rozelle P. Johnson of the University of Vermont living at
41 South Prospect Street.
[16]
By 1939, the directories show that the 43 So. Prospect Street annex was
occupied by the University of Vermont to be used as an office space as well as
continue to provide student housing.
[17]
In 1961 it became the University of Vermont Christian Center.
[18]
During the 1970s, 41-43 South Prospect Street was home to the University of
Vermont Math Department.
[19]
In the 1980s it was turned over to the office for the Dean of Students.
[20]
Today the second floor of the building is still home to the University of
Vermont Dean of Students, while the Campus and Student Life
office occupies the first floor.
[1]
J. F. Hills University
of Vermont Buildings 1800-1847. (Burlington: J. F. Hills papers special
collections at University of Vermont Library), 92.
[2]
Abbey M. Hemenway, The Vermont Historical Gazetteer vol. 1 (Burlington: Miss. A.M.
Hemenway, 1867), 629.
[3]
Map of Land in
Burlington c.1816. (John Johnson Collection, Special Collection at
University of Vermont Library.
[4]
Daniels,The
University of Vermont: The First Two Hundred Years, 388.
[6]
Peter Carlough, Bygone
Burlington: A Bicentennial Barrage of Battles, Boats, Buildings and Beings. Q(Burlington:
Queen City Printers, Inc., 1976), 26-27.
[7]
Carlisle, Look
Around Burlington. Historical Society of Vermont (Burlington: Burlington
Free Press, 1972), 2-3.
[8]
Burlington
City Directory: 1886-87 (Burlington: Burlington Free Press
Association,1887), 103 and advertisements.
[9]
Burlington
City Directory : 1893, (Burlington: L.P. Waite and Co.,1893), 145.
[10]
Burlington
City Directory:1894, (Burlington: L.P Waite and Co., 1893), 216.
[11]
Blow, Historic
Guide To Burlington Neighborhoods, 169.
[12]
Blow, Historic
Guide To Burlington Neighborhoods, 169.
[14]
Manning’s
Burlington Winooski and Essex Junction Directory (Springfield: H.A. Manning
Co.,1926), 398.
[15]
Daniels,The
University of Vermont: The First Two Hundred Years, 262.
[16]
Manning’s
Burlington Winooski and Essex Junction Directory: Vol. XLIII. (Springfield:
H.A. Manning Co.,1932), 365.
[17]
Manning’s
Burlington Winooski and Essex Junction Directory: 1939 (Springfield: H.A. Manning Co.,
1926.)
[18]
Manning’s
Burlington Winooski and Essex Junction Directory: 1961 (Springfield: H.A. Manning
Co.,1961), 570.
[19]
Carlisle, Look
Around Burlington. 2.
[20]
Burlington
City Directory: 1984 (Bellows Falls: H.A. Manning Co.), 471.
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