Historic Zoning Commission

N/A:

6-F-04-HZ

Applicant Request

Level II: Repairing existing masonry walls; adding front porch to replicate c.1890 previous front porch; reroof using standing seam metal; remove added front door; add rear door in previous location; remove windows on west elevation added c. 1930; repair cornice as necessary; add or repair gutters; rebuild chimneys on north and south elevations to match c.1900 photographs; rebuild chimney on west elevation as part of repairing or rebuilding west elevation wall; add appropriate basement windows on east side and attic windows to replicate originals; remove door added to west elevation; add picket fence as shown in c.1900 photographs; pave portions of rear and side yard for parking; construct three story gable roofed back ell joined to rear of main house by gable roofed glass walled connector. (NOTE: Demolition of rear 1968 addition previously approved by HZC).

Site Info

The James Park House is a two story brick house with an added ell. The house's foundation was reportedly built by Governor John Sevier, with two dates given for that construction - 1790 and 1805. Sevier never completed the house, and the lot and foundation were sold to James Dunlap, who in turn sold the property to James Park in 1812. Park finished its construction in 1812, and apparently added the ell within the next few years (c.1830). The form of the house includes intersecting gable roofs, now covered with asphalt shingles, with end chimneys flanked by vent windows. Nine over nine double hung windows are on the first and second stories. A raised basement at the west end provides an entry and a window for the basement. An added front entry faces Cumberland Avenue, and is one story in height with a hip roof and simple wood columns and balustrade. This front porch addition was reportedly design by Charles Barber and is part of the 1945 additions to the house (the original entry faced Market Street). A large brick two story addition at the rear of the house was made in 1968.

After reviewing photographic documentation of the James Park House over time, the owners have determined that it is more historically appropriate to recreate the L-shaped Victorian-era porch that was replaced by the current front portico. This enables a return to an earlier historic appearance, and allows for a more accurate internal floor plan.