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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.