287-291 Lafayette St inventory formMonday, February 22, 2016 at 2:20: PM
Inventory No:SAL.2076
Historic Name:Congregation Sons of Joseph Temple
Common Name:Temple Shalom
Address:287-291 Lafayette St
City/Town:Salem
Village/Neighborhood:South Salem
Local No:33 -426
Year Constructed:c 1951
Architect(s):
Architectural Style(s):Classical Revival
Use(s):Synagogue
Significance:Architecture; Religion
Area(s):SAL.HT: Lafayette Street Historic District
Designation(s):Local Historic District (8/12/1985)
Building Materials(s): Roof: Asphalt Shingle
Wall: Brick; Wood; Plaster
The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has converted this paper record to digital format as part of ongoing
projects to scan records of the Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth and National Register of Historic
Places nominations for Massachusetts. Efforts are ongoing and not all inventory or National Register records related to
this resource may be available in digital format at this time.
The MACRIS database and scanned files are highly dynamic; new information is added daily and both database
records and related scanned files may be updated as new information is incorporated into MHC files. Users should
note that there may be a considerable lag time between the receipt of new or updated records by MHC and the
appearance of related information in MACRIS. Users should also note that not all source materials for the MACRIS
database are made available as scanned images. Users may consult the records, files and maps available in MHC's
public research area at its offices at the State Archives Building, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, open M-F, 9-5.
Users of this digital material acknowledge that they have read and understood the MACRIS Information and Disclaimer
(http://mhc-macris.net/macrisdisclaimer.htm)
Data available via the MACRIS web interface, and associated scanned files are for information purposes only. THE ACT OF CHECKING THIS
DATABASE AND ASSOCIATED SCANNED FILES DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE OR
FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING A DEVELOPER AND/OR A PROPOSED PROJECT THAT WILL
REQUIRE A PERMIT, LICENSE OR FUNDING FROM ANY STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY YOU MUST SUBMIT A PROJECT NOTIFICATION
FORM TO MHC FOR MHC'S REVIEW AND COMMENT. You can obtain a copy of a PNF through the MHC web site (www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc)
under the subject heading "MHC Forms."
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125
www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc
This file was accessed on:
FORM B - BUILDING
intersection(sJ
Indicate north
location
or
dings
AREA FORM NO.
Town Salem
Address 287-291 Lafayette Street
Historic Name Congregation Sons of
Joseph Temple or Temple Shalom
Use: Present Synagogue
Original Synagogue
DESCRIPTION
Date c. 1951-52
Source Cornerstone , Building Pprmit
St^1e Neo Classical
Architect
Exterior Hall Fabric Brick
Outbuildings
Major Alterations (with dates) None
Condition Excellent
Moved No Date
Acreage L6ss than one.
Setti ng _ On busy thoroughfare in
residential area.
UTM REFERENCE
USGS QUADRANGLE_
SCALE
Debra Hilbert and
Recorded by Northfields Eraaarsaatlon R^nr-
Organization Salem Planning nepr.
Date June. 1986 and July 1989
NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable)
This building is located in the Derby Estate historic
district, which meets Criteria A and C for listing in the National
Register. The area represents a broad range of late 19th and early
20th century architectural styles. It also possesses historical
associations with the subdivision between the 1860s and 1920s of
farmland and rural estates into a residential area.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of
other buildings within the community.
287-291 Lafayette Street is a 1 1/2 story Neoclassical temple
with a gable front. The center entry is topped by a blind
fanlight, over which is a Star of David set in a roundel. Two
massive squared columns with acanthus capitals enscribed with Stars
of David support the pedimented gable end, which is ornamented with
plaster work and enscribed with the Ten Commandments in Hebrew.
Flanking the side elevations are one-story ells. Connected to the
rear of the Temple is a one-story L-shaped wing. The broad
elevation contains a second entry under an colonnade of square
columns. The gable end of the L contains a third entry, under a
small false gable. The third entry is topped by a menorah. Both
the L gable end and the false gable end feature extremely deep
cornice returns.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the
building relates to the development of the community.
The Temple Shalom is one of the newer buildings on this
predominately 19th century stretch of Lafayette Street. The Temple
was built in 1951. The Salem Hebrew School was listed adjacent at
I 289 Lafayette Street as early as 1939. A building permit was
issued in 1951 for a temple, school, and a place of assembly. The
Congregation Sons of Joseph Temple was first listed in the 1952
street directory at 289 Lafayette Street.
1
• BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Salem City Directories
Maps and Atlases 1851, 1874, 1897 and 1911.
Salem Building Permits
8/85