The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation and the Planning and Zoning Department held an Informational Meeting at 5:00 PM, Wednesday July 21, 2010 in Contois Auditorium to present historic survey findings about the neighborhood, share research information and to answer questions.
The Vermont Advisory Council for Historic Preservation was scheduled to review the survey data at their July 29, 2010 meeting in Plymouth Vermont, to evaluate the survey results in consideration for potential listing the entire neighborhood as a Vermont State Historic District. At the request of some neighborhood residents, who wished to have more time to comment on the proposal, the council will consider the designation at a future meeting. Background information and the historic survey of the neighborhood remain available on the City’s website at http://www.ci.burlington.vt.us/planning/histpres/five_sisters/index.html . A copy of the survey is also available at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. See contact information below if you have questions.
Nancy E. Boone
State Architectural Historian / Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Vermont Division for Historic Preservation
Nancy.boone@state.vt.us
802-828-3045
http://www.historicvermont.org
In 2006-2007, Burlington’s Certified Local Government (CLG) program applied for grant funding to continue the City’s efforts to complete an historic sites and structure survey. This effort carried on the survey work started under previous CLG grants and generally follows the recommendations of the Burlington Historic Sites and Structures Survey Plan completed by Daly & Associates for the City in May 2000. Within that plan, Daly recommends survey plan priorities, including
Criteria 4: Buildings or areas that comprise neighborhoods of architectural similarity or cultural heritage that should be recognized for their important contribution to the fabric of the City. Among neighborhood districts recommended by the plan is
New Harlam (Five Sisters).
In 1911, the partnership of Batchelder and Brown purchased 18 acres south of Howard Street (formerly known as the Buell Historichorses for new streets. The residential development, which they gave the moniker “New Harlam” expanded to the east with further development by developer Paul D. Kelley. The inspiration for the development name is unknown, and it fell from general use. Collectively, the area is now affectionately called the Five Sisters, reflecting the feminine nature of the major street names. Under CLG 07-011, Burlington surveyed this cohesive neighborhood, which encompasses approximately 54 acres and includes Caroline Street, Charlotte, Street, Hayward Street, a portion of Howard Street, Katherine Street, Ledgemere Street, Locust Street, Locust Terrace, Margaret Street, Marian Street, portions of Shelburne Street and St. Paul Street as a potential historic district.
The Daly plan gives this specific information:
Boundaries: North – Howard Street, South – Locust Street, East – Saint Paul/Shelburne Street, West – Pine Street.
The first planned housing development of the twentieth century in Burlington, this area has great cohesiveness of building styles and designs. There are growing efforts to build a “sense of neighborhood” in this area and owners are interested in maintaining the integrity of the buildings.
The boundaries defined by the Daly plan included the extension of Hayward Street/Locust Terrace; development that is both complementary and contemporary with the development of New Harlam.
This neighborhood has attracted a significant amount of attention. Nationally, it was featured in the major periodical Cottage Living, cited for the character of the area and the significance of the period-specific architecture. On a state level, the neighborhood has also garnered attention in a more regional publication Vermont HomeStyle, which featured the Five Sisters in its September 2006 issue. The intact nature of its defining architecture coupled with an awakening awareness of its importance in understanding Burlington’s development present a defining argument for a comprehensive survey and evaluation of this concise and tightly defined neighborhood. It remains one of the most desirable places to live in the city.
This City contracted with a graduate of UVM’s Historic Preservation program to complete the research, fieldwork, and photography. Devin Colman worked under the supervision of a 36 CFR-qualified historic professional from the Department of Planning and Zoning. Devin surveyed 224 properties within the defined scope of the project; of which two hundred and two (202) were considered contributing resources and twenty two (22) non-contributing. As some time as passed since completion of the survey, adjustment of those numbers cannot be ruled out as it is likely there has been some additional building alteration since this evaluation.
The City attempted to take advantage of a new digital survey technology tested in CLG projects of 2004 and 2005. Tthe Division for Historic Preservation provided PDA units with installed digital survey template, digital cameras, and one GPS unit. As has been our unfortunate experience, the newness of the technology and difficulties in data transfer caused significant delays in project completion. The final reporting was completed and delivered to the state October 2008.
Of the City’s over 10,000 buildings, only about 3,329 have been surveyed or are currently identified as having national, state, or local historic significance. Much of the original survey work was completed in the 1970’s with the assistance of the VT Division for Historic Preservation as part of a statewide initiative. Subsequent surveying has been completed by the City’s Department of Planning and Zoning using Certified Local Government grants. For the City of Burlington to complete a comprehensive historic sites and structures survey, a targeted, multi-year, effort has been required. This was the fifth of such an effort with previous urban format Historic Sites and Structures Survey completed under CLG00-2a, CLG01-2, CLG04-02, and CLG05-02. CLG grant 07-011 enabled the city to continue these efforts.
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