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Greenfield Public Library Mutule Block

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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This mutule block, a decorative element attached to a building's soffit, was taken from the Greenfield, Massachusetts, Public Library during renovations in 1978. The building was originally constructed for Judge Jonathan Leavett (also spelled "Leavitt") in 1798, designed by Asher Benjamin and was neo-clasical. Benjamin (1773?-1845) was born in Hartland, CT. He worked on a number of houses in New England before publishing a series of handbooks or builder's guides that combined some of his own designs with already existing ones to create near-definitive guides to the early 19th century Federal and later Greek Revival archtectual styles. His designs borrowed elements from Grecian design with some Roman elements. Jonathan Leavett's home, built on the original town Lot 12 on Main St., was one of the centers of early 19th century Greenfield society.

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