HomeMy WebLinkAboutbennington-road_0004 I AREA FORM N0.
OR.M B - BUILDING 0 510
i
ASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
94 WASHINGTON STREET, 'BOSTON, MA 02108
i Lexington
ess 4 Bennington Road
oric Name Thomas Cunningham Sias
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u=• — Present t residential
Original residential
A SCRIPTION:
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- >urce directory research
SKETCH MAP
Show property's location in relation Style Colonial Revival
to nearest cross streets and/or
geographical features. Indicate Architect
all buildings between inventoried
property and nearest intersection. Exterior wall fabric clapboards
Indicate north.
Outbuildings
CT ¢O N
Major alterations (with dates) one-story
I wing added to the right side (date unknown)
Rz
�Z Moved Date
�U Approx. acreage 1.87 A.
Recorded by Anne Grady Setting Suburban residential street of
Organization Lexington Historical Commission substantial houses of similar construction
Date March, 1984 date; the north side of Munroe Hill.
(Staple additional sheets here)
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (Describe important architectural features and
evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community.)
A large house with broad gambrel roof, this building is embellished
with classical details such as Ionic columns on the porch, modillions, a
balustrade with urns above the porch, and three pedimented dormers. The
central has a broken scroll pediment with a finial ornament. A very broad
elliptical fanlight marks the entrance.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (Explain the role owners played in local or state
history and how the building relates to the development of the community.)
The house was built by Thomas Cunningham Sias, a treasurer in Boston
c. 1900. Next owners were the Prestons, who built a large addition on the
right hand side.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES (name of publication, author, date and publisher)
Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington, revised and continued to
1912 by the Lexington Historical Society, Volume II, p. 618. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1913.
1906 atlas
1899 Directory
1906 Directory
Personal communication from Anne Blackwell.
10M - 7/82
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 4 BENNINGTON RD.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 510
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
A detailed description of this house appeared in the Lexington Minute-Man on September 21, 1900 and reads as follows:
Mr. Thomas C. Sias,who has resided for several years on Broadway,Arlington, has,with his wife and
four children,taken up their residence in a handsome and spacious new home just completed on Mt.
Vernon, Lexington. The house is genuine colonial in style, simple and dignified in character and
essentially convenient and home-like. It overlooks a wide expanse of country, faces south and is placed
on a high elevation which commands a fine view in almost every direction. The architect planned the
house after the ideas and drawings of Mr. Sias and there is,therefore,no little individuality about the
place, as well as many useful and convenient innovations. It is a large house containing fifteen rooms,
besides two bath rooms, a spacious reception hall and a large corridor on the second floor, from which
the chambers open, and a small room containing a stationary ice chest which is filled from the outside.
The kitchen is decidedly unique. It is furnished with an electric range and the room is ventilated by a
flue open to the roof to carry away the odors of cooking with the heat. The sink is all open plumbing and
the section of the room it occupies has the face of the wall set with white enameled tiles and the floor
with red paving tiles. These few details show how complete the house is in every department. There are
seven open fireplaces,with unusually handsome designs for the chimney pieces,the owner taking for his
guide the old Tichenor mansion for his wood work finish. The large hall is spanned by an arch which is
handsome in design and finish, as is the staircase with its lovely old spindle work and gracefully carved
mahogany banister. The finish of the hall and parlor are in white enamel,which finish is also used with
pleasing effect in the chambers. The library is a large and dignified room in a prevailing tone of a dark,
antique green. The room is paneled,while mantels,bookcases, etc. are in a mahogany finish,which,with
the green of the walls and furnishings, contrast with great African rugs in dull reds. A tone of yellow
prevails in the parlor in pleasing contrast with the gilt of a large antique mirror over the mantel and the
enameled woodwork. A striped red paper is in striking contrast to the elaborate white finish in the dining
room,which has a low wainscot,with inviting cabinets and cupboards either side of the mantel, giving
that side of the room,with its blue plates on a high shelf, a decidedly picturesque appearance. There is a
massive mahogany sideboard which is a fit occupant for this room. A man's fancy will at once be
captivated by the"den". This little private room of the master of the house has a finish of black oak
shown in a high paneling, a hooded fire place,which is faced with field stone, and quaint cabinets set in
the wall. Mexican Indian rugs, antlers and other adornments give the room a pleasing masculine air
which is cheery and inviting. There is a sewing room just across from the den, fitted up with every
convenience. Several of the numerous sleeping apartments have open fire places,while the paper and
wood work are dainty and the rooms light, airy and inviting abodes for the sweet restorative of nature. In
the bath rooms every modern device is used,while the fittings are of handsome, graceful designs all
indicating comfort and cleanliness. There are no carpets on the floors, all of which are hard pine and
covered with magnificent oriental rugs! In furnishings, as far as has been possible, antique pieces,
especially of the colonial period, have been used, so that the effect of the interior is peculiarly
harmonious and in good style.
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 4 BENNINGTON RD.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD S 10
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE(continued):
Nor was the beauty of the property limited to its architecture. An article in the paper on August, 5, 1905 describes in
detail the old-fashioned gardens to the rear which included hollyhocks,bachelor buttons and sweet peas, for which Mr.
Sias was awarded a prize at a Horticultural Show exhibit.
In July 1910 the property was sold to Mr. Elwyn G. Preston of Woburn. The paper notes: "Mr. Preston is married and
has four boys. The family is at present at a summer resort, but will probably take up their residence here early in
September. At one time Mr. Preston was connected in an official way with the Boston Chamber of Commerce,but is
now the treasurer of the R.H. White co., of Boston. Some years ago Mr. Preston resided in Arlington and was prominent
in the Pleasant Street Cong. church where he was highly regarded and won many friends"(Lexington Minute-Man, July
16, 1910). Elwyn Preston was still occupying the house in 1942. The directory lists his occupation as Vice President and
Treasurer of S.S. Pierce Co. in Boston.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lexington Directories, various dates.
Lexington Minute-Man, September 21, 1900, August 5, 1905, July 16, 1910.
U.S. Census, 1910, 1920.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
January 2009