HomeMy WebLinkAboutadams-street_0001 FORM B -BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
63/72 Boston N. 1017
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Town Lexington
Place (neighborhood or village)
f
Address 1 Adams Street
A`` Historic Name Albert &Mary Tenney House
! Uses: Present Residential
-
Original Residential
Date of Construction 1910
1 WA
Source Lexington Valuation Lists
Style/Form Dutch Colonial Revival w/Craftsman
Architect/Builder unknown
Exterior Material:
Foundation rubble
Wall/Trim aluminum siding, wood
Cr
Roof asphalt shingle
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
garage
azo
Major Alterations (with dates) c.1960 -aluminum siding
installed(over novelty siding?)
In
Condition good
\ Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
Acreage 29,810 SF
Recorded by Lisa Mausolf Setting large early 20th century residences set back from
Organization Lexington Historical Commission heavily traveled road
Date (month/year) June 2000
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
BUILDING FORM (1 Adams Street)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
Set on a low hill above the street, 1 Adams Street is a 2 1/2-story, Dutch Colonial-style building oriented with its gambrel end
(north elevation)to the street. Set above the stone foundation, the house is presently sheathed in aluminum siding, which was
apparently installed over a novelty siding. Centered on the east facade,the main entrance is fronted by a brick stoop and
contains a six-panel door flanked by leaded glass sidelights. A partially enclosed vestibule with multi-light side panels fronts
the porch. The distinctive entrance porch consists of large columns supporting an overhanging front pediment with a curved
underside. Large foliate brackets support the overhang. On one side of the entrance, towards the street,there is a large
picture window with transom; on the other side is an arched 6/6 window. The second story of the facade is lit by a casement
window flanked by 6/6 sash with a long shed dormer spanning the front roof slope.
Facing the street, the gambrel end is fronted by a single-story,three-bay porch supported by Roman Doric columns with
corresponding pilasters set against the wall. The porch frieze is decorated by dentils. Multilight French doors punctuate the
first floor with 6/6 sash upstairs. Projecting from the west side are a single-story, three-sided bay window with dentil
molding and a two-story, five-sided flat roof addition. Three individual shed dormers are located on the west slope of the
gambrel roof.
A paved driveway, lined by rhododendrons extends along the east side of the house. Decorative brickwork has been
preserved in the driveway in front of the entrance and a built-in concrete bench is located on the wall opposite the entrance
a porch. Brick posts topped by concrete balls mark the rear garage yard. Projecting from the rear of the east elevation of the
house is a gambrel-roofed projection. The rear garage is also capped by a gambrel roof.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Describe 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. See d Ada.VY►, 6'�
The house at 1 Adams Street was built in 1910 for Albert Tenney. Tenney was a+ssed in 1910 for just the lot and the
valuation list bears the description"(Whiting),"an apparent reference to the seller./In 1911 Tenney was assessed for a house
valued at$9006. Directories indicate that Tenney worked as a vice president(for an unknown organization) in Boston.
Albert's widow, Mary C. Tenney continued to live in the house as late as 1960, along with a maid and chauffeur. Soon
thereafter the horse was sold to John and Jeanne Boeing who sold it to Roger and Barbaranne Shepard in 1966. Later
owners included John and Mary Sandbo (1968-1972)and Bruce and Gracia Dayton(1972-1989). The present owners
purchased the property in 1989.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Lexington Assessors Records.
Lexington Directories, various dates.
Lexington Valuation Lists, various dates.
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, you must attached a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form.