“Home for the Friendless”
Built after 1863, this property was purchased in 1873 by the Ladies Benevolent Society for use as a charitable residence for indigent persons. Under the leadership of Directoress Urania Nott, Eliphalet Nott’s widow, the building became the site of the “Home For The Friendless,” an organization headed by Mrs. Nott since 1868. In 1908 the “Home” moved to 1519 Union Street where it is today under its new name, “The Heritage Home For Women.”
The two-story structure is faced in brick laid in an American common bond pattern above a limestone watertable and ashlar bluestone foundation walls. The offset gable-with-side-wing style of the facade is reminiscent of 18th century “gable end to street” Dutch Colonial vernacular style houses, although the detailing is solidly in the Italianate style popular in the 1850s and 60s. The main and gable rake cornice presents simplified classical detailing, including a dentil course. Two-light over two-light painted wood sash are found in openings headed with arched cast-iron lintels and resting on sills containing small end brackets. The narrow wood and glass panel entry doors with transom light are characteristic of the mid-19th century. The garage wing at the east side of the house is a late 20th century addition.