Howard, Frank, Building
Coordinates come from Wikidata, not the National Park Service; treat the pin as approximate.
Why it's listed
Located two blocks east of North Street in downtown Pittsfield, this three-story commercial block was built in 1916 for Frank Howard's hardware and seed business. Architect Joseph McArthur Vance gave it a Classical Revival design in red brick and limestone, with the first story serving as a base, the upper floors as a shaft and the parapet as a capital. Inside, heavy timber slow-burning construction rests on cast-iron columns, and the second floor keeps glass-and-wood office partitions and marble-trimmed stairs. Frank Howard, Inc. sold hardware, seeds and farm and garden supplies from the building until 1960, and later generations of the family published a seed catalogue noted for its scientific content. Alterations were limited mainly to storefront bases, entry doors and windows, so the building remains one of the best-preserved of Vance's Pittsfield works. Its architecture and its long role in the city's commerce are the reasons for its recognition.
Significance in brief: The building is an intact example of an early 20th-century Classical Revival commercial structure and one of the least altered works of architect Joseph McArthur Vance in Pittsfield. It is also tied to the Frank Howard hardware, seed and agricultural supply business, which operated there from 1916 until 1960.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 12000499, listed August 14, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 124-132 Fenn St., 67-71 Federal St., Pittsfield |
|---|---|
| County | Berkshire County |
| Listed | August 14, 2012 |
| Reference number | 12000499 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1916-1960 |
| Architect / builder | Joseph McArthur Vance (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th- & 20th-Century Revival/Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Mixed office and retail use; the former hardware space on the east side and the third floor became vacant after the business closed in 1960, and one storefront was temporarily boarded in. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.44957, -73.25095 (Wikidata) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 12000499.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16891430
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.