[97 Pleasant Street]

Item Information

Title:
[97 Pleasant Street]
Description:
"This home at 97 Pleasant Street was built circa 1870. This gothic revival structure is an interesting variation of the Fowler octagonal house ideal, using a series of small octagons grouped around a central cupola. Even the side porch has an octagonal shape. The shape represents the nation-wide influence of Dr. Fowler, who proposed this shape as structurally and mathematically elegant and because of increased cross-ventilation, healthier than the conventional box shapes of the day. This appealed to Dr. Horace P. Wakefield, the builder of this quirky dwelling. This is the only such structure in Reading. Dr. Wakefield taught school in Reading as a young man, practiced medicine, was on the school committee, was a town clerk from 1862-1864 and was Secretary of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society." -- From the album containing the photograph
Date:
1900–1999
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Reading Public Library
Collection (local):
Reading Historical Images
Subjects:
Architecture, Domestic
Buildings, octagonal
Wakefield, Horace P., 1809-1883
Fowler, O. S. (Orson Squire), 1809-1887
Places:
Massachusetts > Middlesex (county) > Reading
Link to Item:
https://omeka-s.noblenet.org/s/reading/item/9761
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
Notes:
Information about this item was supplied by NOBLE Digital Heritage.