24 Pearl St

Historic District Survey information for 24 Pearl St

Architectural Description: This building is a 2-story, 3-bay former barn converted to residential space. Side-gable roof with partial returns; frieze below cornice; cupola at roof ridge; corner boards. Central double plank doors with shed roof and knee braces. Arched irregular window above with massive operable shutters. Other windows 6/6 and 6/1 DHS with storms. Pedestrian entry toward rear of south facade. 2nd and 3rd story decks and entries on west facade are accessed by exterior steps. Skylights in north roof slope.

Historical Narrative: As per Josephine Del Deo (1977): This building, as indicated above, may very probably have been used by the successful ship owner, Stephen Cook, for the storage of whaling gear, sails, and related marine gear. He owned Cook Wharf at the foot of Pearl Street and during the last quarter of the 19th century, his whaling vessels went out of this wharf bringing back whale oil and other supplies. The new use of this building is for artists' studios in connection with the Fine Arts Work Center, a nonprofit organization which came into existence in 1967 in order to promote the work of serious artists and writers in Provincetown. It took over all the Days Lumberyard property and former studios located opposite.

Bibliography and/or References: Resident Directory. W.F. Richardson & Co., 1886. Ferguson, Georgia Knowles Cook, "And God Created Whales", 1976 (private zeroxed printing). Barnstable County Atlas., 1880.

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

 (Mass. Historical Commission Form B)