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FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
T' NSSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION K 440
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston
I. Town Lexington
Address 33 Forest Street
Name Hancock School
Present use school
Present owner Town of Lexington
.r_
3. Description:
Date 1891
4 - Source plaque on building
Style Romanesque
4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect Hartwell and Richardson
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. indicate north. ! Exterior wall fabric red brick/sandstone
and copper trim
Outbuildings (describe) none
Other features porte-cochere, original
window sash, gray slate roof, dormers,
brick bond patterns, turrets, etc.
Altered Date
F,�' �`►r 1� Moved Date
C '
6
C` 5. Lot size:
One acre or less Over one acre X
357 ' on Forest St.
Approximate frontage 6851 on Clark St,
Approximate distance of building from street
-- 75 feet
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by John Herzan
USGS Quadrant for Committee For The
Organization preservation of The Ilannock
MHC Photo no. _School.._...._.:
Date
(over)
20M-5-73-075074
7. Original owner (if known) Town of Lexington
Original use school
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates
8. Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal Conservation Recreation
Agricultural Education _X Religion
Architectural X Exploration/ Science/
The Arts settlement invention
Commerce Industry Social/
Communication Military humanitarian
Community development Political _ Transportation
9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above)
The Hancock School was designed in 1890 by the prominent Boston archtect-
ural firm of Hartwell and Richardson, 19th century specialists in
school architecture whose work is represented in many suburbs around
Boston. The Hancock School is among the firm' s best preserved and
more imaginative interpretations of the Romanesque Revival which Henry
H. Richardson introduced to Boston and vicinity. In Lexington the
Hancock School is important as the only known work by Hartwell and
Richardson and as one of the best examples of Romanesque public
architecture.
In addition, the building is Lexington' s oldest extant school-house in
continuous operation since its opening in 1891 . The Hancock School
is very well remembered among its alumni and continues to serve the
school children of Lexington by providing a fascinating architectural
environment for playing and learning.
A recent architectural study commissioned by the Town of Lexington has
indicated that the five oldest schools in operation should be phased
out of existance and replaced. While demolition of the Hancock School
is not yet certain, the liklihood of this happening is very real. In
response to this threat a local citizens group has formed to save the
school from this unworthy fate.
10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
Report of the Committee Appointed To Consider the Subject Of Building
A NEW School—House For The Hancock School, Lexington, Mass.
Vogel, Susan, "Hartwell and Richardson: An Introduction To Their Work, "
J. S.A.H. (May, 1973) .
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