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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. 342 Bedford St. (MHC #779) is one of a number of Federal houses in Lexington,but, due to its relatively recent move and many alterations,has lost some of its architectural integrity. The house is rectangular with a rear ell, 2'/Z stories, five-by-two bays,and side-gabled with a rear chimney. The 2'/:-story three-by-two bay front-gabled rear ell has side and ridge chimneys. The house is set on a concrete foundation, clad with wood clapboards,and roofed with slate. On the south end of the main block is a one-story side-gabled addition; behind it is a one-story shed-roofed addition with an enclosed entry at the rear which extends beyond the rear wall of the house, forming a side-gabled addition. The main entry, now a double one, is enclosed; windows are 2/1 double hung sash. The large 2'/:-story (three at the rear because it is on a slope), three-by-four bay gambrel-roofed barn (MHC#780)has a large gambrel-roofed vent, a hay lift, a transom light over the hay door, and swinging barn doors. 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. This house was originally close to Bedford St.,just forward from its present location. Lexington assessors' records indicate that it was probably built in 1825 by Christopher Reed(1792-1861),who lived in the house now at 330 Bedford St. (MHC#778) and in the 1820s built several other houses on the street—this one and a tavern in 1822 on land where Route 128 now runs. The assessors' records also show that in 1843 Christopher Reed sold two of his houses, this one and probably the tavern,to a Stephen Reed, presumably a relative but not listed in the Lexington genealogy. In any event, in 1847 Stephen Reed sold this house and 44 acres to an Alvan Gage of Charlestown. Gage did not occupy the house, soon sold it, and it then changed hands frequently until it was finally acquired in 1871 by Eliphalet S.Wetherbee. The Wetherbee family owned it until 1915, but in 20th century the house was again sold frequently and perhaps often occupied by tenants. A 1935 plan shows the house with a long series of rear ells connecting it with the barn, which is labeled"auto painting." When Route 128 was constructed in 1950 the house was left in its original location close to Bedford St., but,when the exit ramp was widened in 1960,the land on which the house was located was taken, so the house was moved back to its present position. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES ❑see continuation sheet Bliss, Edward P. "The Old Taverns of Lexington." Proceedings of the Lexington Historical Society 1 (1889): 82. Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington. Revised and continued to 1912 by the Lexington Historical Society. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1913. 2: 565. _ Lexington Valuation Lists. 1818-1831, 1840-1848. Middlesex Registry of Deeds. Deeds. Cambridge, MA. 513: 327; 628: 244; 794: 84, 85; 868: 437; 886: 436; 913: 380; 1187: 655; 3978: 398; 4129: 550; 4736: 223; 4888: 473; 5716: 396; 6394: 265, 266; 6820: 424; 10914: 244; 11880: 318; 12553: 7 Sanborn Map Company. Lexington,Middlesex County,Massachusetts. New York: Sanborn Map Co., 1935. Pl. 13. ❑ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.