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BUILDING FORM ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION ❑see continuation sheet Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community. 297 Bedford St. (MHC#776) is one of a number of Federal houses in Lexington and is a well-preserved example. The original house is.rectangular, two stories, five-by-one bays, and side-gabled with two rear chimneys. It is set on a granite foundation,clad with wood clapboards, and roofed with asphalt shingles. At the rear is a two-story Beverly jog on a brick foundation, and behind is a one-story shed-roofed porch on a cement foundation. A shed dormer on the rear slope is attached to the Beverly jog. The center entrance in the main block has a pedimented surround with dentils, a symmetrical design of applied raised blocks at the base of the architrave, side pilasters with a definite entasis, and half-length sidelights. Windows are 6/6 double hung sash. On the interior,there are fireplace surrounds that have a projecting center panel and engaged columns with an entasis similar to that of the front pilasters, paneling to the chair rail level, and Federal six-panel doors. The P/2-story,two-by-one bay side-gabled barn (MHC#777)has a cupola vent and is now a two-car garage. HISTORICAL NARRATIVE ❑see continuation sheet Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local(or state) history. Include uses of the building, and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community. Although the plaque on the front says "James Parker House, ca. 1810,"Lexington assessors' records indicate this house was built neither by James Parker nor in 1810. Instead, it was built in 1835 by Nathan Reed(1776-1836),who lived in the large brick- ended Federal now at 282 Bedford St. (MHC#774). It is not clear why Nathan built this house when he already had a large one; perhaps he wanted to provide a house for the son who would not inherit the homestead. In any event, this house was inherited in 1836 by his son Nathan H. Reed (1805-1854),who apparently lived in it until he sold it in 1844 to none other than James Parker, so Parker did live in the house although he did not build it. James Parker,who is not listed in the Lexington genealogy so is probably not related to the Lexington Parkers,was known in Lexington as "Two Penny Parker,"for,when he drove around town selling eggs, milk, and cheese, he always sold his products for two cents less than any other purveyor. He was apparently also irascible,yelling at children who stole apples from his trees. In 1885 the house and 30-acre farm was acquired by the Kendalls, who owned it until financial difficulties forced them to sell it in the 20th century. It was purchased at auction by the Butlers and they owned it until in 1963 when they sold it to Philip and Mona Banios, the latter a granddaughter of the Smiths in the house at 282 Bedford St. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES ❑see continuation sheet Banios, Mona,to Nancy Butters, I I August 1992, 12 October 1992. In possession of Nancy Butters, Lexington, MA. Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington. Revised and continued to 1912 by the Lexington Historical Society. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1913. 2: 565, 567. Lexington Valuation Lists. 1831-1837. Middlesex Registry of Deeds. Deeds. Cambridge, MA. 359: 320; 443: 36; 1714: 370. ❑ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.