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INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
<br /> LEXINGTON 4 BENNINGTON RD.
<br /> MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
<br /> MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
<br /> 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 510
<br /> BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
<br /> HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
<br /> A detailed description of this house appeared in the Lexington Minute-Man on September 21, 1900 and reads as follows:
<br /> Mr. Thomas C. Sias,who has resided for several years on Broadway,Arlington, has,with his wife and
<br /> four children,taken up their residence in a handsome and spacious new home just completed on Mt.
<br /> Vernon, Lexington. The house is genuine colonial in style, simple and dignified in character and
<br /> essentially convenient and home-like. It overlooks a wide expanse of country, faces south and is placed
<br /> on a high elevation which commands a fine view in almost every direction. The architect planned the
<br /> house after the ideas and drawings of Mr. Sias and there is,therefore,no little individuality about the
<br /> place, as well as many useful and convenient innovations. It is a large house containing fifteen rooms,
<br /> besides two bath rooms, a spacious reception hall and a large corridor on the second floor, from which
<br /> the chambers open, and a small room containing a stationary ice chest which is filled from the outside.
<br /> The kitchen is decidedly unique. It is furnished with an electric range and the room is ventilated by a
<br /> flue open to the roof to carry away the odors of cooking with the heat. The sink is all open plumbing and
<br /> the section of the room it occupies has the face of the wall set with white enameled tiles and the floor
<br /> with red paving tiles. These few details show how complete the house is in every department. There are
<br /> seven open fireplaces,with unusually handsome designs for the chimney pieces,the owner taking for his
<br /> guide the old Tichenor mansion for his wood work finish. The large hall is spanned by an arch which is
<br /> handsome in design and finish, as is the staircase with its lovely old spindle work and gracefully carved
<br /> mahogany banister. The finish of the hall and parlor are in white enamel,which finish is also used with
<br /> pleasing effect in the chambers. The library is a large and dignified room in a prevailing tone of a dark,
<br /> antique green. The room is paneled,while mantels,bookcases, etc. are in a mahogany finish,which,with
<br /> the green of the walls and furnishings, contrast with great African rugs in dull reds. A tone of yellow
<br /> prevails in the parlor in pleasing contrast with the gilt of a large antique mirror over the mantel and the
<br /> enameled woodwork. A striped red paper is in striking contrast to the elaborate white finish in the dining
<br /> room,which has a low wainscot,with inviting cabinets and cupboards either side of the mantel, giving
<br /> that side of the room,with its blue plates on a high shelf, a decidedly picturesque appearance. There is a
<br /> massive mahogany sideboard which is a fit occupant for this room. A man's fancy will at once be
<br /> captivated by the"den". This little private room of the master of the house has a finish of black oak
<br /> shown in a high paneling, a hooded fire place,which is faced with field stone, and quaint cabinets set in
<br /> the wall. Mexican Indian rugs, antlers and other adornments give the room a pleasing masculine air
<br /> which is cheery and inviting. There is a sewing room just across from the den, fitted up with every
<br /> convenience. Several of the numerous sleeping apartments have open fire places,while the paper and
<br /> wood work are dainty and the rooms light, airy and inviting abodes for the sweet restorative of nature. In
<br /> the bath rooms every modern device is used,while the fittings are of handsome, graceful designs all
<br /> indicating comfort and cleanliness. There are no carpets on the floors, all of which are hard pine and
<br /> covered with magnificent oriental rugs! In furnishings, as far as has been possible, antique pieces,
<br /> especially of the colonial period, have been used, so that the effect of the interior is peculiarly
<br /> harmonious and in good style.
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