HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_0837 FORM E - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
IIIASSACHJSETTS HISTORICAL COb1MISSION E P 227
OCT ,5
wn Lexington
cress 837 Mass. Ave.
-_ me Bowman Tavern
;sent use Private
sent owner Audrey Buttaro
" - ;cription:
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4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric clapboard
Outbuildings (describe)
Other features—5 bays wide, 1 room deep.
Center entrance; foundation is brick cover
C, V
S� w. stucco, door with
Altered Date
X �7 Moved Date
X 5. Lot size:
One acre or less x Over one acre
Approximate frontage 100'
Approximate distance of building from street
}
151
O NOT WRITE IN' THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by E. W. Reinhardt
USGS Quadrant
Organization Lex. Hist. Com.
HC Photo no.
Date 7/75
(over)
7. Original owner (if known) Fessenden family (18th. c. in Lex.)
Original use Site of Residence - Thomas Fessenden, 1775
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates Tavern, - 1820 - 1840's (Francis Bowman, Jr.)
bought after death of widow of Thomas Fessenden in 1820.
8. Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal Conservation Recreation
Agricultural Education Religion
Architectural 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)
Thomas Fessenden lived on this site. William Diamond, drummer for the Minute Men,
April 19th. 1775, was apprenticed as a wheelwright to Fessenden & lived here with him.
Oldest part of house (ie 1760) may only be ell, (note 6 x 6 windows)
Descrip. Cont. - Side lights, flat entablature; entrance porch roof extends to window
surround on each side, square posts; graduated clapboards on main block, narrower at
bottom; two chimneys at ridge over inner edges of 2nd, 4th. windows; two story ell
w. rear chimney & door right rear; one story shed roof addition left rear. (Foundation
overlay extends beyond drip line.) House slightly angled to street. In bad condition-
needs help.
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10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
Bliss, Edward P. - "Old Taverns". Proceedings LHS, Vol I
Bryant, Albert W. " Lexington Sixty Years Ago. LHS Proceedings
Vol. II , pp 19-64
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