New Bedford Preservation Society- Tour Guide Bruce Barnes Favorite 5

Join Bruce Barnes as he shares five of his favorite New Bedford sites with us on this New Bedford Preservation Society walking tour. First is a fantastic cobblestone Colonial Revival built in 1897 in Arnold Place on land that was once part of the James Arnold Mansion, now the Wamsutta Club. Designed by the architect Edgar Hammond, it is notable for it’s stone construction. The stones are incredibly large, and rumor has it, came from local stone walls. Next, diagonally across the street is #17 Arnold Place, also built in 1897, is one of the great Colonial Revival homes built to meet the housing needs of the burgeoning textile industry. Beautifully ornamented, it features four gambrels, Palladian windows, and a glorious façade. Housing demand was so significant during this era that the lot size for these houses was quite diminutive given the grand size of the homes. The Clinton Place development is one of New Bedford’s hidden gems. Designed by New Bedford architect Nat Smith in 1897, it was created on land that was originally part of the Dr. Abbe/Gilbert Russel house, which is adjacent on County Street. Each of the six houses on this European-styled cul de sac is unique and charming. Notably, as this development preceded automobiles, they lack parking. The William J. Rotch Gothic Cottage, built in 1846, is one of the most notable and interesting homes in New Bedford. Built for a scion of the Rotch family that brought whaling to New Bedford, it was designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis and was inspired by the Gothic houses found in the Hudson River. It has National Historic Landmark status. William J. Rotch was a mayor of New Bedford and later inherited the James Arnold Mansion on the corner of Union and County streets. The William Rotch Rodman mansion was designed by famed architect Russel Warren for this Rotch descendent in 1833. At the time of its construction, it spared no expense and was considered one of the greatest mansions in all of New England. It was later remodeled by architect Nat Smith for textile magnate J. Frank Knowles in the early 1900s. In celebration of the New Bedford Preservation Society's 50th Anniversary please consider donating: go to www.nbpreservation.org 00:00 – Introduction 00:26 – Cobblestone Colonial Revivial on Arnold Place, 1897 04:04 – Interestingly ornamented Colonial Revivial built to meet the needs of the exploding textile industry, 1897 06:55 – Clinton Place development built on land from the Dr. Abbe / Gilbert Russel mansion in 1897. 10:57 – The William J. Rotch Gothic Cottage, 1846. 16:07 – The William Rotch Rodman mansion, 1833. Mill financing begins to come from outside of New Bedford. Thanks to the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Spinner Publications, the New Bedford Free Public Library, Digital Commonwealth, and Google Maps for selected images. Please join the New Bedford Preservation Society, at http://www.nbpreservationsociety.org/...