HomeMy WebLinkAboutadams-street_0033 FORM B -BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
63/117 Boston N. 1021, 1022
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Massachusetts Archives Building
Town Lexington
Place(neighborhood or village)
t Address 33 Adams Street
Historic Name George and Ruth Graves House
r; Uses: Present Residential
Original Residential
1
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. Date of Construction 1925
5;
Source Lexington Valuation Lists
yi
Style/Form Craftsman
Architect/Builder unkno-,vn
Willard Brown?
IL Exterior Material:
Y' R-
Foundation rubble
Wall./Trim stucco/wood
Roof asphalt shingle
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
�j historic garage(MHC 41022)
\� Major Alterations (with dates) 1985 -enclosure of
y side porch
' \ Condition good
�o
\ Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
Acreage 14,671 SF
Recorded by Lisa Mausolf \ Setting corner lot, mixed early 20th century residential
Organization Lexington Historical Commission neighborhood
Date (month/year) June 2000
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
BUILDING FORM (33 Adams Street)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
Located at the corner of Adams and Woodland Streets, 33 Adams Street(MHC #1021) is an eclectic early 20th century
dwelling that exhibits a Craftsman-style influence with elements of the Colonial Revival. The 2 1/2-story,textured stucco
dwelling is oriented with its asymmetrical gable end facing Woodland Street. The lower end of the gable is supported by a
single Roman Doric column. The main,three-bay facade faces Adams Street and displays a recessed center entrance flanked
by a pair of Roman Doric columns. Overhanging the first floor, a hip roof wraps around the house from the exterior brick
chimney on the gable end to the entrance, where it is supported by large brackets (a feature which is reminiscent of 75
Outlook Drive(MHC#1108), designed by Willard Brown). The wooden front door incorporates upper lights over a lower
panel. An angled window is located next to the door. Adjacent to the entrance and sheltered by the overhang there is a three-
sided bay window while casement windows are located next to the chimney. The second story of the facade features a central
tripartite window consisting of a 8/12 window flanked by 4/6 sash. On one side of the tripartite window there is a set of three
6/1 windows; on the other there is an individual 8/1 sash. Rising from the front roof slope is a shingled shed dormer
containing three pairs of 6/6 windows. Paneled shutters with cutout decoration flank many of the window openings which
also include 8/1 and multilight casements. At the north end of the house there is a narrow, wood-shingled 1 1/2-story section
with a front wall which steps out from the adjacent facade.
A paved driveway extends in front of the house,terminating at a wood shingled garage (MHC #1022) resting on a rubble
jfoundation. The front gable is stuccoed over a pent roof. The double doors on the gable end display 4 x 2-lights over four
vertical panels. A ventilator is centered on the roof A two to three foot high stone wall extends along the Adams Street lot
line. Pine trees screen the house from the street.
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.
The house at 33 Adams Street was constructed in 1925 for George and Ruth Graves. George Graves had purchased the lot in
1922 from Melissa Hunt. In 1925 Graves was assessed for just the lot(Lot 16 on the 1903 Plan of Oakmount Park). The
following year the assessment includes a house valued at$12,000 and garage at$1500. In the late 1920s and early 1930s
George Grave's occupation is listed as sales manager. Beginning in 1945 George Graves (then 55) is described as an
architect. Mr. and Mrs. Graves continued to occupy the house until the early 1970s.
By 1977 the property had been transferred to Dean and Jane Curtin. The present owner, David Miller, acquired the property
in 1984.
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1BIBLIOGRAPHY 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.