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NPS Form 10-900 OMB Approval No 1024-0018 (Rev.10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Franklin School Lexington (Middlesex), NIA Section number 7 Page 1 Built in 1931 and designed in the Georgian Revival style,the former Franklin School is located at 7 Stedman Road,near the intersection of Allen Street,just north of the Concord Turnpike(MA Route 2)in the Town of Lexington,MA. The original elementary school building,which was closed in 1985 and converted to residential apartment units,is now part of the six-building complex known as the Franklin School Apartments,currently undergoing interior renovation,and is the most prominent and visible of the six buildings. The remaining five buildings of the complex(not part of this nomination)were constructed in 1985,and are set back behind the original school building on the site. The surrounding neighborhood includes single-family residences along the west side of Stedman Road(most of which are mid to late 20`h century houses),a large area of woodland to the east,and Jonas Clarke Middle School directly to the north of the complex. Set within a residential neighborhood in the southeast section of Lexington,approximately one mile north of the town line between Lexington and Waltham,MA,the former Franklin School features a sweeping circular drive(contributing)that frames the entire approximately three-acre . parcel,allowing access to all six buildings on the parcel. The circular drive was present as early as 1956, when the Franklin School was expanded. The site features an expansive lawn directly in front of the main building. This section of the complex also features tall, mature, deciduous trees including white birches; additionally,a few tall evergreens are present along the front lawn of the complex. The five buildings that were constructed in 1985 are situated behind the Franklin School to minimize their visibility from Stedman Road,which runs along the western edge of the site. These ancillary structures are clustered together in small linear groups with parking lots following the circular drive around the complex. At the rear of the site,a number of shrubs and trees are situated along the circular drive. A number of linear walkways have been laid out . between buildings and through the site,creating an organized circulation pattern. The former Franklin School building, which currently contains 16 residential apartment units, is a 2%-story Georgian Revival style building,designed by the firm of Kilham,Hopkins&Greeley in 1931. The building is rectangular in plan,with projecting side and rear wings: The building features a double-loaded central corridor that runs the entire length of the building on the first and second floors. The building underwent a substantial renovation in 1956,when additions were made to the rear of the original structure. After the school's closure and eventual sale in 1985, the 1956 additions were removed,and a small,two-story addition was constructed off the rear elevation of the original elementary school building. In 1985,the original 1931 portion of the building was renovated into 16 apartments,and the five noncontributing buildings were constructed on the site. The 1931 Georgian Revival building retains its original red brick,stone trim, state roof,chimneys,and full-height window openings. All windows were replaced in 1985 with full-height metal replacement sash,except for the two original multipane fan windows in the north and south wings that retain their original wood sash. The 1985 rear addition reads as secondary to the original building and is compatible with the architectural style of the original Georgian Revival-style structure. (continued)