United Shoe Machinery Corporation Clubhouse
Also known as: Beverly Golf and Tennis Clubhouse
Why it's listed
Built around 1910 on McKay Street in Beverly, this two-and-one-half-story stuccoed wood-frame clubhouse was designed by Boston-area architect Henry Bailey Alden for the employees of the United Shoe Machinery Corporation. Its steep hip roof, half-timbered gables and dormers, cobblestone basement and wraparound veranda reflect the Arts and Crafts style. The company, Beverly's largest employer and a leading maker of shoemaking machinery, aimed to improve workers' living and recreational conditions. The building housed a theater, library, card and billiard rooms, bowling alleys and locker rooms, and hosted the annual Sam-Sam Day gathering for workers and families. Exterior changes have been small, and the main entry hall, two staircases and stone fireplaces survive. The city of Beverly acquired the clubhouse and golf course in 1978. It was listed for its architecture and for its role as an early example of cooperation between a large industry and its workers.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an excellent large-scale Arts and Crafts building by a prominent local architect. It was built for Beverly's largest industry, the major producer of shoemaking equipment in the world. It also represents an early example of employer-employee cooperation and welfare programs in American industry. The reviewer accepted it under criteria A and C but found it not shown to be significant under B.
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 82000484, listed November 16, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 134 McKay St., Beverly |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | November 16, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82000484 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Henry Bailey Alden |
| Architectural style | Arts and Crafts |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in public ownership; in fair condition with minimal exterior alterations. It is used for recreation as the Beverly Golf and Tennis Clubhouse. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.56449, -70.89472 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 82000484.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7889142
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.