The Leavitt–Hovey House is an historic house located at 402 Main Street in
Greenfield, Massachusetts. Built in 1797, it is a prominent work of local architect
Asher Benjamin, and a good local example of Federal period architecture. From 1909 to June 17, 2023, it served as the home of the Greenfield Public Library. It was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1983,
and was included in the
Main Street Historic District in 1988.
Description
The Leavitt–Hovey House stands in downtown Greenfield, on the north side of Main Street east of the main business district and opposite Hope Street. It is a two-story wood-frame structure, with numerous additions to its sides and rear. The main block is topped by a hip roof, with two interior chimneys. Its exterior is finished in wooden clapboards. The front facade is five bays wide, with a center entrance sheltered by a gabled porch supported by clustered columns. Front-gabled wings are attached to each side at a recess, with similar styling.
[
]
History
The house was designed architect Asher Benjamin in 1797 for Judge Jonathan Leavitt
Jonathan Leavitt (1764–1830) was a prominent Greenfield, Massachusetts attorney, judge, state senator and businessman for whom the architect Asher Benjamin designed the Leavitt House, now the Leavitt-Hovey House on Main Street, in 1797.
...
. Leavitt was a graduate of Yale College. He began his career as an attorney in Greenfield. He later served as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1812, and Judge of Probate from 1814 to 1821, as well as the first president of the Franklin Bank of Greenfield. He used the west wing of this house as an office for his business activities. Judge Leavitt married the daughter of Yale President Ezra Stiles
Ezra Stiles ( – May 12, 1795) was an American educator, academic, Congregationalist minister, theologian, and author. He is noted as the seventh president of Yale College (1778–1795) and one of the founders of Brown University. According ...
.
Some original architectural elements of the Leavitt–Hovey House are in the collection of Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, where they may be seen by appointment.
The town of Greenfield took the home by eminent domain in 1907, and in 1909 moved the Greenfield Public Library into the building until June 2023, when the library moved to its new home at 412 Main Street.[ Greenfield Public Library: About]
See also
*
References
Houses completed in 1897
Asher Benjamin buildings
Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
Libraries in Massachusetts
Houses in Franklin County, Massachusetts
Libraries in Franklin County, Massachusetts
Greenfield, Massachusetts
National Register of Historic Places in Franklin County, Massachusetts
Historic district contributing properties in Massachusetts
{{FranklinCountyMA-NRHP-stub