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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. 265 Bedford St./9 North Hancock St. is one of only 10 side-gabled Greek Revival cottages in Lexington and is distinguished by its long rear ell. The main block is 1'/z stories, five-by-one bays, and side-gabled with a rear chimney;the front-gabled rear ell is one- by-five bays. The original house is set on granite and fieldstone foundations, clad with wood clapboards, and roofed with asphalt shingles. At the rear of the ell are a one-story two-bay shed-roofed addition on a cement foundation and a one-story three-sided bay on a cement foundation; on the south elevation of the ell is a one-bay shed-roofed addition over a stairway. The center entrance surround is pedimented and flanked by full-length sidelights; a secondary entry is located on the north elevation under a porch on a brick foundation with a roof supported by Tuscan posts; windows are 6/6 double hung sash. There are two gabled and one shed-roofed dormer on the front slope of the main block, similar dormers on the north slope of the ell, and a long shed-roofed dormer the entire length of the south slope. In addition to the main entry surround, Greek Revival finishes on the main block include a wide frieze board and wide pilastered comerboards. 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. Lexington assessors' records indicate that this house was built in 1844 by Nathan H. Reed (1805-1854), who had been living in the house now at 297 Bedford St. (MHC#776). Nathan bought the land on which this house is located in 1841 without any buildings on it. In 1844, however,when he sold his house at 297 Bedford St. to James Parker, he was still assessed for a house, indicating that he had another one, probably this house and probably built that year. After Nathan's early death, his widow sold the house; it was owned for several years at the turn of the century by George W. Sampson, an insurance agent and a Lexington selectman and assessor. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES ❑ see continuation sheet Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington, Revised and continued to 1912 by the Lexington Historical Society. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1913. 2: 604. Lexington Directory, 1899. Lexington Valuation Lists. 1840-1849. Middlesex Registry of Deeds. Deeds. Cambridge, MA. 408: 169; 686: 199; 2490: 521; 2587: 554. ❑ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.