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INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET LEXINGTON 1844 Mass. Ave. MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD,BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community. Located next to Cary Library, 1844 Massachusetts Avenue is an unusual Colonial Revival-style commercial block designed by the firm of Kilham,Hopkins & Greeley. The two-story, flat-roofed brick structure is oriented with its narrow three-bay wide end to Massachusetts Avenue. At the center of the first floor there is a large display window fronted by a decorative,turned balustrade. On either side of the window is a glass-and-panel door capped by a flat arch brick lintel and flat canopy suspended by metal chains hanging from diamond-shaped concrete panels. Above the central display window is an arched window flanked by sidelights and fronted by an iron balconette. The roofline features a stepped parapet decorated by decorative consoles. The west elevation of the main building consists of a three-bay wide brick structure on either side of a longer,two- story,gambrel-roofed section which is sheathed in stucco. The seven openings of the central section contain arched windows and are capped by arched brick bands. Rising from the gambrel roof are seven gable dormers. HISTORICAL NARRATIVE 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 building was constructed for A.A. Marshall& Sons,undertakers, in 1929,replacing an earlier building which was demolished. As originally constructed,the first floor contained the main office with a smaller office behind it. At the rear was the high-posted chapel, capable of seating 75 and incorporating a fireplace and mantel, floor lamps and easy chairs. Off the larger room was a smaller family sitting room, a display room,workroom and finally, a modern garage. The second floor contained additional offices. The building was designed by Kilham,Hopkins, and Greeley who also designed Cary Memorial Hall,the Lexington Town Offices,renovations to the Depot and the Franklin School at 7 Stedman Road in Lexington. Walter H. Kilham(1868-1948), a prominent architect of his time, designed many schools and public buildings in Massachusetts. He opened an architectural office in Boston in 1898 and two years later entered into partnership with James C. Hopkins (1873-1938). Lexington resident William Roger Greeley(1881-1966)joined the firm in 1913 and became a partner in 1925. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Department of Public Safety records,Massachusetts State Archives, Boston. Lexington Minute-man, 8/30/1929; 9/18/1929; 11/8/1929; 10/13/1966. Middlesex South Register of Deeds, Cambridge,MA Myer,Kate,with Maureen Cavanaugh and Betsy Friedberg. National Register Nomination for Franklin School,April 2009. Town Directories. Continuation sheet 1