Quincy Preservation Commission awards landmark designation to Lorenzo Bull House

May 8, 2023 | By Muddy River News

Pictured are members of the Quincy Preservation Commission. Front row from left, Jeff Van Camp, Barb Holthaus, Michele Khoury, Susan Till, Susie Irwin-Wells, Mayor Mike Troup, Dick Wellman, Hollis Axelrod, Caroline Kewney, Celeste Taylor and Dian Link; Back row from left, Beth Parchim, Paul Geers, Joe Newkirk, Anne Forbes, not available and Heather Cook. | Photo courtesy of Quincy Preservation Commission

QUINCY — The Quincy City Council designated 1550 Maine as a landmark on Sept. 6, 2022, and the Quincy Preservation Commission delivered the landmark designation on April 22.

If a property is protected by city ordinance, specific exterior features unique to the property can only be altered/removed with permission from the Quincy Preservation Commission. Landmark status is seen by some as a means to protect the exterior of a historic home for years to come

Commonly known as the Lorenzo Bull House, the Italianate structure, built in 1852, is owned by the Quincy Park District. It is a contributing structure to the Quincy East End National Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The Lorenzo Bull House’s entry states it was included for its historical and architectural significance.

From its landmark application:

“Located on one of the most architecturally significant corners in the United States, the Lorenzo Bull House has its place as one of Quincy’s most prominent landmarks. The romantic park-like setting at 16th and Maine was once a sight common in mid-19th century American towns, but now far fewer examples exist.”

The Quincy Preservation Commission reviews applications for landmark status. As part of the review process, the commission considers the following:

Significant value as part of the historical, cultural, artistic social, economic or other heritage of the nation, state or community;
Association with an important person or event in national, state or local history; Representation of the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style, period, craftsmanship or method of construction, or embodiment of particularly fine craftsmanship in construction;
Notable or influential work of a master builder, designer, architect or artist;
Identification in the community as a familiar visual feature owing to its unique location or physical characteristics.

The city of Quincy has approximately 150 properties protected by city ordinance, either as an individual landmark or as part of a local historic district. The landmarks and local historic districts are located throughout Quincy.