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Original residence
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Original owner
SKETCH MAP
N Draw map showing property's DESCRIPTION:
location in relation to nearest
cross streets and other buildings Date 1907
or geographical features.
Indicate 1north. Source plans
Style Lo I on ;e.)
?'• N• O'Cdv�n a;�
Architect Samuel D. Kelley Ck A44,-
MERIAIA ST.
Exterior wall fabric gray wood Shing]e,s
S / Outbuildings
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9�Q Major alterations (with dates)
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to
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Moved Date
Approx. acreage 7
Recorded by Henry V. Taves ; Anne Grady Setting East side of I-ieriam Hill;
Organization Lexington Historic-al CaTum residential street of houses of mixed
,Date 6/24/80; March, 1984 construction date.
(Staple additional sheets here)
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (describe important architectural features and
evaluate in terms of other buildings within community)
2 story gambrel, pedimented dormers in gambrel.
Central one has pilastered double window w/cornice, diamond-light upper sash,
oval window in pediment. Full-width porch w/paired columns; fancy-patterned
leaded glass sidelights around front door.
(See Continuation Sheet)
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (explain the role owners played in local or state history
and how the building relates to the development of the community)
The house was built for Arthur Cephas Whitney on land which had formerly
been part of the Hayes estate. It must have been one of the first built when
the estate began to be divided up for house lots. Arthur Whitney was, like a
number of his neighbors on Meriam Hill, a trustee of the Lexington Savings
Bank.
LISLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington, revised and continued to
1912 by the Lexington Historical Society, Volume II, p. 753. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1913.
Plans by Samuel D. Kelley in the possession of the current owner.
20M-2/80
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community: Form No:
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL CCWISSION Lexington 405
Office of the Secretary, Boston
Property Name: 6 Abbott Road
Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
This house is a melding of late nineteenth century styles. Notable
features of this house include the balustrade with urns over the central
portion of the porch, palladian window in the gable end, and oval window
in the pediment of the central dormer. The interior incorporates many
interesting features: an ample two-story entrance hall onto which the five
bedrooms on the second level open, a leaded glass window on the landing of
the stairs, a stained glass window in the dining room, and many fine wooden
finishes. The architect, Samuel D. Kelley, designed one, and perhaps two
houses in Lexington for the Sherburne family a decade or more before he
designed this house. / '�®b`' 10a6T " ferc
Staple to Inventory form at bottom
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 6 ABBOTT ROAD
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 405
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Two articles in the Lexington Minute-man offer additional information on the construction of this residence. On
November 3, 1906,the paper announced that"Mr.Arthur Whitney,a member of Lexington Golf Club,but resident of
Somerville, has purchased through the agency of W.W. Reed some four acres on Merriam street, above the premises of
Mr. Charles H. Miles. It is understood Mr. Whitney proposes building on the property".
On September 14, 1907, a brief article entitled"A Valuable Property"offered a detailed description of the house as it
neared completion:
The above term is applicable in every way to the house building for Mr.Arthur W. (sic) Whitney on Merriam
street,Lexington. More than usual care and expense are being put into the construction of the house which at
first strikes one as a modest building but when it comes to be inspected it is at once found to be an expensive
structure. One is misled as to the size and dignity of the house by the style architecture. It is of the class termed
Dutch colonial which consists largely of a roof of the gambrel pattern,which overhangs the first story and has its
broad eaves supported by ornate timber work and brackets. The house is exceptionally well built and the frame
work is reinforced in every way to give strength and make it lasting and substantial. The plastering is an
exceptionally fine job and the interior wood work is elaborate, requiring the most experienced workmanship.
The contractor and builder is T.H. O'Connor of Lexington and it is certainly a compliment to his skill and ability
to be given in charge of the house for Mr. Whitney is a contractor and builder in Boston and Roxbury and is a
past judge in building operations. A large reception hall with two rooms either side and the kitchen department
beyond are on the first floor. These include a living room, music room, library and dining room. In connection
with the kitchen there is an ice room, pantry, butler's pantry, etc. Most of the living rooms, also the hall, are
finished in white enamel with a mahogany trim, shown in doors, stairrailing, etc. The dining room is of fine
proportions and is finished in oak. There are open fire places in the four rooms. Seven chambers and two bath
rooms are on the second floor, closets in each room and a spacious linen closet. On the third floor is a large
sleeping room and a billiard hall,the latter being 24 by 26 feet in size.
The interior is a long way from being finished yet. The work to be done is elaborate and expensive. Many of the
rooms have a paneled wainscoating as high as a chair rail,while the walls in the dining room are paneled two
thirds of the way up. There are also heavy wooden cornices of ornate colonial designs in most of the rooms, and
no little expense and detail has been put in the construction of the mantels.
The house sets on a knoll in a spacious piece of land. Its location is unusual in that it is the rear of the house that
faces the street and not the front. The outlook and view have been considered in placing the house and certainly
they are of chief importance. In this case it has been doubly worth while for the outlook gives a sweeping view
of the town and its lovely engirdling hills. It is a view to delight the eye of an artist or an naturalist. The estate is
entered by a circular driveway which gives something of the effect of a landed property which is so often aimed
at by the English builders, and has a bit of an air of retirement and seclusion. We think above all things that the
beauty of the location and situation of the house ware what most appeal to one first visiting the place. They are
indeed fine.
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 6 ABBOTT ROAD
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 405
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Arthur Cephas Whitney was a prominent Boston contractor who worked with many leading architects in the early 20t"
century. The MACRIS database maintained by the Massachusetts Historical Commission associates him with ten Boston
buildings. These include the construction of four buildings at Simmons College,working with architect Guy Lowell,the
Old Colony Trust Company on Court Street in 1908 for Shepley, Rutan&Coolidge,the Appleton Building in 1900 for
Andrews, Jacques and Rantoul, 131-134 Tremont Street in 1907 with Winslow and Bigelow and two buildings for
Peabody and Stearns—74-84 State Street(1902)and the Boston Insurance Company Building at 87 Kilby Street(1913).
Arthur and Katherine Whitney were still living at 6 Abbott Road in 1942.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lexington Directories,various dates.
Lexington Minute-Man,November 3, 1906; September 14, 1907.
Massachusetts Historical Commission. MACRIS database.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
March 2009