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ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community.) This house has a somewhat truncated look. It was reduced from 20 rooms and three stories to two stories after a fire in 1967 and given a hip roof. Originally, there was a tower at the west corner. The first two stories have not been changed (see attached copy of historic photograph) . There is a porch of unusual design in which square posts embellished with diamond-shared panels flank round columns. These are placed above a balustrade in which solid panels alternate with latticework. An overhanging second story on the right side is finished with many large brackets. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community.) Deed research indicates that this section of Meriam Hill was laid out for house lots by I-Iatthew P. Merriam in 1888. Henry 'J-. French, a shoe manu- facturer at Tvnn, purchased the lot in 1892 and built the house in 1696. Like many of the houses of Keriam Hill, its progress was chronicled in the Lexington P=inute Alan: oreliminary landscaping was being done in Anril, 1695; the building contract was awarded to out-of-town parties in October; and the frame was up by February, 1896. From c. 1906 to 1922 Charles Dale lived in the house. Dale's daughter, Anita Dale Seymour, was a singer and for 50 years a vocal teacher in Lexington. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES (name of publication, author, date and publisher) Hudson, Charles. 'History.-of the Town of Lexington, revised and continued to 1912 by the Lexington historical Society, Volume II, no. 158, 231. Boston: Houghton iifflin Company, 1913. Lexinr,.ton Iiinute ran, April 26, 1895, October 25, 1895, February 7, 1896. Lexington Tax Assessment Records, 1896. Piddlesex County Registry of Deeds, Carlibridge, ilassachusetts. Plan Book 58, Plan 19; Book 3334, p. 132. Anita Dale's scrapbook. Lexington Historical Society Archives. Rosemary Jason, unpublished paper. Lexington Historical Commission files. .Personal communication from Betty Howe, 4 Chandler Street, Lexington. 1906 Directory 10M - 7/82