Mausert Block
Why it's listed
Rising three and a half stories along the east side of Park Street in downtown Adams, this brick commercial block was built between 1896 and 1903. Its long, twelve-bay facade is faced in mottled yellow Roman brick, with rock-faced gray marble window trim and pressed metal cornices. The main entry has an arched opening and a vestibule floored with art tile. Around 1940 a Moderne/Art Deco storefront was added for F.W. Woolworth, with polished black granite, aluminum trim and double wooden doors. Like other large commercial blocks built on Park Street near the turn of the century, it held storefronts at street level and offices above. The Adams Telephone Exchange used part of the second story from about 1900, and a Masonic hall occupied an upper floor. Its original owners were Conrad Mausert of North Adams and a man named Volker. The building is listed for its architecture and its link to the town's main period of commercial growth, and it remains largely original and in commercial use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the block retains integrity of location, design, materials and setting. It reflects the main period of commercial development in downtown Adams. Its three-story height and long Roman brick facade make it a prominent part of the street's commercial architecture. It preserves original details and an Art Deco/Moderne Woolworth storefront.
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 82004948, listed April 1, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 19--27 Park St., Adams |
|---|---|
| County | Berkshire County |
| Listed | April 1, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004948 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival, with a Moderne/Art Deco storefront |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains in substantially original condition and in active commercial use; the Woolworth company occupies the main storefront. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.62147, -73.12016 (NPS GIS) |
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 82004948.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6794035
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.