Frances Anderson Center HistPres staff report with attachment.pdf
City of Edmonds
Historic Preservation Commission
Designation Staff Report
August 14, 2010
Meeting Date:
Agenda Subject:Application for designation of the Frances E. Anderson Cultural Center as
eligible for inclusion in the Edmonds Register of Historic Places
Staff Lead:Kernen Lien, Associate Planner
Property Information
Site Name/Location: 700 Main Street
Edmonds, WA 98020
Tax Account #: 00434208800000
Township 27 Range 03E Section 24 ¼ Sec SW ¼-¼ Sec
Construction date: 1927 - 1928 (Additions in 1947 and 1952)
Owner/Applicant Information
Person(s) Nominating Site: Edmonds Historic Preservation Commission
Property Owner: City of Edmonds
Report Summary
Staff recommendation: Staff recommends that the Commission finds that Frances
Anderson Cultural Center meets the criteria for designation on
the Edmonds Register of Historic Places. Staff feels that both
the original 1928 structure and the 1947and 1952 additions
meet the criteria for designation. The exterior of the structure
contains the significant architectural features.
DesignationMeetsStaff
CriteriaCriteriaComments
1.Significantly associated with the The Frances E. Anderson Cultural Center,
history, architecture, archaeology, formerly the Edmonds Elementary
engineering or cultural heritage of School, is associated with the City of
Edmonds… Edmonds’ expansion of the early public
school system.
Frances Anderson Center HistPres designation staff report.doc Page 1
DesignationMeetsStaff
CriteriaCriteriaComments
2.Has integrity… The original Edmonds Elementary School
building and site has changed in
appearance and layout considerably since
1928, particularly with the 1947 and 1952
additions (See Attachment 1). The
original 1928 structure is largely hidden
from street view by the newer additions.
The arched entrances on the north, south
and west facades have also been covered
up by the additions, with only the top of
the arches visible from aerial view.
However, that portion of the Frances
Anderson Center still visible above the
1947 and 1952 additions remains intact.
The original windows were replaced with
newer metal windows that simulate the
original window patter and the size of the
openings have been preserved.
The 1947 and 1952 additions retain their
original appearance.
Taken as a whole, the site has integrity.
3.Age at least 50 years old, or has The Frances Anderson Center is
exceptional importance if less than 50 comprised of several parts. The core of
years old… the Frances Anderson Center is the
Edmonds Elementary School that was
constructed in 1927 – 1928. There were
additions that were constructed in 1947
and 1952.
4.Falls into at least one of the following
designation categories:
Designation Category
a.Associated with events that have The Frances Anderson Cultural Center,
made a significant contribution to the formerly the Edmonds Elementary
broad patterns of national, state or School, is associated with the City of
local history. Edmonds’ expansion of the early public
school system. Intended to serve the
community of Edmonds early elementary
education needs, the school served as an
important educational facility in the
community for more than 50 years.
Constructed between the world wars after
the public library and the Edmonds High
School were constructed, the building
represents the community’s commitment
DesignationMeetsStaff
CriteriaCriteriaComments
to early education. The Frances Anderson
Center also represents the growth in the
City and rapid facility expansion in the
post war boom of the 1940’s and 1950’s.
The building tripled in size after the
construction of the 1947 and 1952
additions.
b.Embodies the distinctive architectural The Frances Anderson Center is
characteristics of a type, period, style comprised of structures from two very
or method of design or construction, distinct styles.
or represents a significant and
The original 1928 school structure is an
distinguishable entity whose
example of the Spanish Mission (or
components may lack individual
Colonial) Revival style. The Spanish
distinction.
Mission Revival style was popular in the
1920’s focused on abstraction of design
elements, yet still evoked specific
traditional styles. The original 1928
school structure had many design
characteristics of the style in its exterior
light stucco finishes, pent tile roof, multi-
pane windows, symmetrical layout, inset
panels, broad round arches, and
curvilinear parapets.
The 1947 and 1952 additions are
examples of the Streamlined Modern
style. This style hearkened back to the
Art Modern style and the design of
airplane hangars and other military
structures that were prominent in the
minds of many architects. At the same
time, the International Style of simplified,
efficient design was beginning to be
apparent in architectural design of the
Streamlined Modern style. The style
features smooth light tinted stucco forms
with emphasis on horizontal or vertical
bands and windows. Frequently, glass
brick was used, as were metallic and
glassy surfaces. The 1947 and 1952
additions are clear examples of the
Streamlined Modern style, with layered
horizontal and vertical bands, glass block
windows, and light colored stucco
finishes.
DesignationMeetsStaff
CriteriaCriteriaComments
c.Is an outstanding work of a designer,
builder or architect who has made a
substantial contribution to the art.
d.Exemplifies or reflects special Intended to serve the community of
elements of the City’s cultural, social, Edmonds early elementary education
economic, political, aesthetic, needs, the school served as an important
engineering or architectural history. educational facility in the community for
more than 50 years. Following the
closure of the school in 1972 due to
declining enrollment, the school was
re-dedicated in 1979 as the Frances
Anderson Cultural Center, a public
facility for arts and cultural activities
operated by the City of Edmonds Parks,
Recreation, and Cultural Services
Department. The Frances Anderson
Center still plays an important role in the
community and the former school now
houses several tenants with various
activities such as tae-kwon-do, clay
sculpture, and ballet.
e.Is associated with the lives of persons The building is significant for its
significant in national, state or local association with long time principal,
history. teacher, and civic volunteer Frances
Anderson. Frances Anderson was a
central figure in the development of the
youth and education system in Edmonds.
Frances Anderson began her work in the
community in 1909 when she became
secretary for the local lodge of the
Independent Order of Good Templars,
was elected the first president of the
Edmonds Improvement Club in 1910 and
became leader of a group of Junior Camp
Fire Girls in 1918. She attended
University of Washington before
transferring to the University of
Wisconsin and graduating in 1917.
Frances returned to Edmonds and taught
second grade until 1924 when she was
asked to take the position as principal to
replace the retiring principal. She held
this position for 25 years before returning
to teaching in 1949, and retired from
teaching altogether in 1959.
DesignationMeetsStaff
CriteriaCriteriaComments
After the school was closed due to lack of
attendance, the building was rehabilitated
into a community center and named after
Frances Anderson.
f.Has yielded or may be likely to yield
important archaeological information
related to history or prehistory.
g.Is a building or structure removed
from its original location but which is
significant primarily for architectural
value, or which is the only surviving
structure significantly associated with
a historic person or event.
h.Is a birthplace or grave of a historical
figure of outstanding importance and
is the only surviving structure or site
associated with that person.
i.Is a cemetery which derives its
primary significance from age, from
distinctive design features, or from
association with historic events or
cultural patterns.
j.Is a reconstructed building that has
been executed in a historically
accurate manner on the original site.
k.Is a creative and unique example of
folk architecture and design created
by persons not formally trained in the
architectural or design professions,
and which does not fit into formal
architectural or historical, the
designation shall include description
of the boundaries of categories.
Significant Features
1. Shape: Currently irregular in plan, the original 1928 school was originally a
rectangular volume; the 1947 and 1952 additions extended west from the
original building creating a U-shape and the gym addition pushed the
building to the east (See Attachment 1).
2. Roof and Roof The 1928 structure has pent roofs covered with tile between the curvilinear
Features:
and rectangular parapets of the end bays and pilasters. The main portion of
the roof is flat.
3. OpeningsBands of closely spaced windows are between the bays on the east and west
(entries, etc.): elevations. The original arched doorways are lined with brick trim and have
recessed multi-pane transom windows.
On the 1947 additions, many of the windows feature glass block bands
above the horizontal bands of vision windows to allow daylight to penetrate
into the classrooms.
4. Projections: The north and south elevations of the original structure are divided into two
recessed bays with a wider projecting bay in the center. The center bays are
capped with curvilinear parapets.
5. Trim & secondary A double-row of brick soldier course extends around the top of the building
featuresunder the pent roof.
6. Materials: The exterior of the original structure and the 1947 and 1952 additions are
light colored stucco walls.
7. Setting: The Frances Anderson Center is located between the eastern edge of the City
of Edmonds downtown business zoning district and surrounding single-
family residential neighborhoods on one of the primary entrances into
downtown Edmonds.
8. Materials at close N/A
range
9. Craft details: Decorative elements include diamond-shaped or brick rectangular inlays at
the top of the raised pilasters and bay on all facades.
10. Individual N/A. Interior features are not considered for nomination.
rooms/spaces:
11. Related spaces or N/A
sequences:
12. Interior features: N/A. Interior features are not considered for nomination
13. Surface finishes & N/A
materials:
14. Exposed structure: N/A
Under Construction in 1927 (Photo courtesy Edmonds Historical Museum)
Edmonds Grade School 1930 (Photo courtesy Edmonds Historical Museum)
Edmonds Grade School before the 1947 and 1952 Additions (Photo courtesy Edmonds Historical
Museum)
View of south façade. Notice the glass block windows and vertical bands on the addition which is typical
of the Streamlined Modern style. (Photo from BOLA report)
Frances Anderson Center Birds-eye View (Photo from Bing.com)
Frances Anderson (Photos courtesy Edmonds Historical Museum)
Notes on historic register nominations:
Chapter 20.45.020 ECDC* states that if the Commission finds that the nominated property is eligible
for placement on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places, the Commission shall make a
recommendation to the City Council that the property be listed on the register with owner’s consent.
According to Chapter 20.45.040 ECDC, listing on the Edmonds Register of Historic Places is an
honorary designation denoting significant association with the historic, archaeological, engineering or
cultural heritage of the community. Properties are listed individually or as contributing properties to a
historic district. No property may be listed without the owner’s permission.
Prior to the commencement of any work on a register property, excluding ordinary repair and
maintenance and emergency measures defined in Section 20.45.000(H), the owner must request and
receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission for the proposed work. Violation of this
rule shall be grounds for the Commission to review the property for removal from the register.
Prior to whole or partial demolition of a register property, the owner must request and receive a waiver
of a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Because Edmonds is a Certified Local Government (CLG), all properties listed on the Edmonds
Register of Historic Places may be eligible for a special tax valuation on their rehabilitation.
* Edmonds Community Development Code
Attachment 1