Paula and Adam Bigelow presented their house to the KHPRB — with vital structural and historical information, property photos and floor plans — on Thursday, September 3 at a meeting held in the Perkins Building on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University.
The state approved the nomination and transferred the data to the National Park Service (NPS) in Washington, D.C. for final review. The NPS will have 45 days to render an opinion on whether to approve the nomination and enter the house on the national register, or send it back for revision. It is currently awaiting approval.
The Brooks/Bigelow House is regarded as an iconic Queen Anne residence. Overlooking historic downtown Middlesboro, it was built during the last quarter of the 19th century between 1889-1890. The home was nominated for its Victorian-era design and status as an icon of Middlesboro’s industrial success.
According to the nomination, the two-and-a-half story house is considered to be “one of the finest examples of Queen Anne Free Classic architecture erected in southeast Kentucky.” The house is said to embody the distinctive characteristics of a period of construction in Bell County, while surviving few alterations over the last 119 years.
The house was built as part of a collection of fine homes erected to accommodate executives of the newly formed coal company town in 1890. The house also incorporated technological and comfort features previously unknown in the southeastern part of the state including gas and electric lighting, as well as steam heat — deciding factors when being considered for the national register.
The National Register is the nation’s official list of historic and archaeological resources considered creditable of preservation. It also provides a measure of protection against adverse impacts from federally funded projects. Owners of National Register properties may qualify for federal or state tax credits for certified rehabilitation of these properties, or by making a charitable contribution of a preservation easement.
Kentucky has the fourth highest number of listings in the nation with more than 3,200 districts, sites and structures, having more than 42,000 historic features. Listing can be applied to buildings, objects, structures, districts and archaeological sites. Proposed sites must be significant in architecture, history, engineering, American culture, and/or possess a special role in the development of our country.
Paula Bigelow explained that there are very few places in Bell County on the National Register of Historic Places, and no private residences at this point in time. She was baffled at this fact. She explained that a large portion of community homes were historically relevant and could display “the history behind the beginning of Middlesboro” in a sense.
“We thought that was pretty significant that no one has put a home on the register,” stated Bigelow. “We would like to see more of it done. It is a slow process and it does take time, but it’s not really difficult.”
She added, “I would like to see more properties in eastern Kentucky make the list on the merits of their architectural importance.”
For those interested, the National Register nomination process starts with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). To be considered eligible, a property must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. This process involves examining the property’s age, integrity, and significance. Generally, a property must be at least 50 years old and appear much the way it did in the past. Other deciding factors for acceptance include the property’s architectural history, landscape history, or engineering significance. National Register Listing Process Nominations can be submitted to the SHPO from property owners, historical societies, preservation organizations, governmental agencies, and other individuals or groups.
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