Northampton Architecture- Quadrant 1

Smith Charities

Smith Charities, located at 51 Main Street, was built in 1865. Architect William Fenno Pratt designed the building in Victorian Renaissance style.

The freestanding Smith Charities building was designed by a local architect. The building typifies the Victorian version of the Renaissance Revival (in contrast to the later revival exemplified by the Masonic block at 25 Main Street). The building, constructed with ashlar masonry, displays double-light Venetian windows, and crisply cut, detailed quoining at the corners.

The monumental aspect of the Smith Charities building harmonizes with its purpose. Oliver Smith of Hatfield died in 1845 leaving a remarkable will, whereby indigent children and women were to receive financial assistance. Rufus Choate contested the will for Smith's unhappy relatives, but he was no match for Daniel Webster who successfully defended the will. Countless residents of Northampton have benefited from Smith's generosity.

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