244 Commercial St

Historic District Survey information for 244 Commercial St

Architectural Description: 244 Commercial St. is a 1-1/2-story, 5-bay, vernacular Federal-style full cottage dwelling converted to commercial use; side-gable roof is sheathed in asphalt shingles, parged center chimney; exterior is clad in wood shingles with wood trim; building sits on a raised brick foundation; fenestration includes 9/6 wood DHS, 6/6 DHS, and 2/2 DHS; primary entrance is accessed by a central panel door with a wood door surround and brick stoop with metal balustrade; entire front facade now glass except for panel door; basement entry below stoop.

Historical Narrative: As per Josephine Del Deo (1976) "See 242 Commercial St. for discussion of Cape Cod cottage as a part of the impacted business community. This particular Cape Cod Double was used for a number of years as an art shop by Heinrich and Fritz Pfeiffer and Hope Voorhees Pfeiffer. The Pfeiffer family was an important one in the art community beginning in the 1920's and continuing through the 1960's. Many members of the family were artists: Heinrich, Fritz, Chester, Mab, Grace and Hope Voorhees. Heinrich Pfeiffer conducted a painting school with Ross Moffett in 1924 in the Provincetown Playhouse building documented in this inventory. Hope Voorhees was part of the 1920 color wood block school in Provincetown." As per Tom Boland (1994): "Shown on the 1836 map, it is not until 1858 that it is evident that this house is owned by W.K. Chapman. The next citation for an owner is in 1907, when M.E. Crowell is noted. From the 1920s to the 1960s, this site was an art shop run by Heinrich and Fritz Pfeiffer, local artists, and also served as their home. It was also home to Hope Voorhees Pfeiffer, herself an artist. Heinrich Pfeiffer also ran an art school with Ross Moffitt, another local artist."

Bibliography and/or References: Barnstable County Atlas., 1880. Barnstable County Atlas., 1907. Cape Cod Directory, 1901. The Extremity of Cape Cod. Map, 1836. H.F. Wallings Co. Map of Provincetown Village. Atlas, 1858. Resident Directory. W.F. Richardson & Co., 1886. Resident Directory. W.H. Hopkins, 1889.

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

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)