572-572A Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 572-572A Commercial St

Architectural Description: 572-572A Commercial St. is a 2-1/2-story, 5-bay dwelling; gable-front roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles; partial cornice returns; modern skylights on left side roof slope; exterior is clad in clapboard siding with wood corner boards and trim; fenestration includes 6/6 replacement DHS with snap-in muntins and triple windows in the gable end; 1-story gable-roof vestibule centered on front facade is accessed by a central door with a glass storm door and is flanked by two 6/6 DHS replacement windows; entry is reached by wood steps; 2-1/2-story gable-roof addition on side facade has modern skylights on front roof slope; wood deck with pergola at right side of building; rear ell not visible from Commercial Street; additions made during mid-19th century or later; partial cornice returns and corner pilasters indicate Greek Revival influences, details are also present on the addition.

Historical Narrative: As per Mary Avellar (1976): moved from Pilgrim Heights, N. Truro by barge 1850. This house which was moved from N. Truro in 1850 is a very typical example of the way in which houses were moved around during the 19th century. Since Howland Street was the Truro line at one time the original linking of the two communities was early established, and house and families interchanged freely between the two communities. Mary Heaton Vorse says of Provincetown houses in her book Time and the Town - the very houses are subject to change and move about as though not anchored to land. In most places when a man builds a house he builds it and there it stands, practically unchanged keeping the same form in which it began and almost invariably the same place. This is not true in Provincetown. Hose there do not remain upon their foundations. Formerly, every summer one saw houses cumbrously moving down the front street. The Mayo family is an old and well-established family in Provincetown and its early association with the community goes back to the 18th century. This house, then, and the one next to in No. 570 Commercial, are important residence both from the standpoint of the community development and sociological importance. Formerly 'The Mooring'. HEAVILY ALTERED

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Commercial Street (Provincetown, Mass.), Dwellings, and Historic Districts--Massachusetts--Provincetown

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)