HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_0870 FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. form no.
IDS SSAC;IIUSETTS HISTORICAL COP.INIISSION E 230
Office oi' the Secretary, State House, Boston
✓n Lexington
`, ress 870 Mass, Ave.
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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) garage (late stucco)
Other features 5 over 4 fenestration. 2
jchimneys rear, 6v,;?,ek-9e-,);y&jdoor.� granite
,75 attached ell on left
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Altered Date
--- �SSS �►�
Moved Date
5. Lot size:
Less than one acre x Over one acre
`v 2 Approximate frontage + 50
Approximate distance of building from street
10' - 15'
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by E. W. Reinhardt
USGS Quadrant
Organization Lex. Hist. Com.
A1HC Photo no.
Date 7/75
(over)
7. Original owner (if known) 6J-11 r- ll
Original use
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates
S. 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)
Door frame. May have-been influenced by Melvin doors on tone building(E-16
Brown-Sutterfied house (E-12)
Door itself has two carved rosettes atdoor knob level barely visible in picture.
h as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 870 MASS. AVENUE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 230
BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This is one of a number of Asher Benjamin-inspired doorways which survive in East Lexington(see also 627, 715, 782,
884, and 1106 Massachusetts Avenue). Unlike most of the others,the influence of Benjamin's pattern books appears to
have been indirect, its builder did not base his design on a book plate, but on features of the doorway of the Stone
Building at 715 Massachusetts Avenue.
As described by Elizabeth Reinhardt and Anne Grady in 1977:
Although the house itself is a modest five bay wide, one bay deep farmhouse, it has as splendid a doorframe as
could be imagined for such a simple structure. Two Doric columns support a portico which, although not
pedimented in full, suggests the angle of a pediment in its shape. A full entablature extends from the building's
fagade to the columns but does not continue across the front. To complete the entablature would have created an
entrance too massive to be pleasing and too low for comfort. Pilasters with Benjamin's Greek fret on both the
facing and lateral sides of the portico support the entablature and frame the two-thirds length sidelights which
flank the door. Over the door is a shallow wooden fan with central sunburst and an ornamental keystone in its
defining arch. Columns, fret and fan proclaim the kinship with the Stone Building(Old Time New England,
1977,p. 28).
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This house was reportedly constructed in 1833 for Ammi Hall who was born in 1798 and died in 1867 (Reinhardt&
Grady, 1977, p. 28; Hudson,vol. 2,p. 262). He was a blacksmith and married Eliza Crandall in April 1834.
The 1898 map lists the owner as Mrs. E.A. Hansen. Eliza Ann Hall(daughter of Ammi Hall)married Horatio Hanson in
1868 but according to Hudson she died in 1883(?)(Hudson,vol. 2,p. 270).
According to E.B. Worthen,the house was later occupied by Annie Hanscom(Tracing the Past,p. 46).
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington.
Lexington Directories,various dates.
Reinhardt,Elizabeth and Anne A. Grady. "Asher Benjamin in East Lexington, Massachusetts", Old-Time New England,
vol.LXVII,nos. 3-4, Winter-Spring 1977,pp. 28-29.
Worthen,Edwin B. Tracing the Past in Lexington, Massachusetts. New York: Vantage Press, 1998.
1898 Atlas of Lexington.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
June 2009