HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_0956 F O R A•1 13 - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
AL1SSACIIUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION E 240
,..75.
Lexington
i cess 956Mass . Ave.
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gent use private residence
+ent owner Yeomans. Frank
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_- - :ription:
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4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect
in relation to nearest cross streets and e 1
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabricbrick,clapboard facade
Outbuildings (describe)
j Other features five bay wide, two deep,cente
I �
entrance; two end chimneys, �n4 C4� � f rom
Altered Q Date C I V70
x x Moved Date
C
5. Lot size:
-� Less than one acre x Over one acre
v
Approximate frontage 50'
Approximate distance of building from street
15' - 20'
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by E. W. Reinhardt
USGS Quadrant
Organization Lex. Hist. Com.
11HC Photo no.
Date 7/75
(over)
r . O_igi nal owner (if }mown)
Original use
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates
8. Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal Conservation Recreation
Agricultural Education Religion r
Architectural Exploration/ Science/ e
The Arts settlement invention
Commerce Industry Social/
Communication Military Humanitarian
Community development Political Transportation
9. Historical Significance (include explanation of themes checked above)
roof; granite foundation. Small brackets support flat projecting caps over front facade
windows; double bracket; support projecting roof. Ell to left rear with simpler window
treatment.
10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
Lex.Hist. Soc. Proceedings Vol. 2, 4
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 956 MASS. AVENUE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 240
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This house was reportedly constructed for Jacob Robinson(1762-1848)who served as a town selectman in 1805 and
1806 and was an assessor for several years. Jacob's youngest daughter Mary Ann(b. 1812)married Sylvester Harrington
in 1841.
It was undoubtedly during Sylvester Harrington's ownership that the house saw the addition of the mansard roof and
other details in the French Second Empire style that found popularity after the Civil War. According to E.B. Worthen, it
was Sylvester Harrington who extended Independence Avenue and laid out on paper much of the area on the hill behind
his house, an area that was not developed until later.
The 1898 and 1906 maps indicate the property was then owned by Henry Adams and was apparently converted into
apartments at this time(if not before). Worthen recalled that the house was rented by the William F. Caldwells and
Willard Pierce in the early 20th century. Pierce was a farmer and Caldwell was a fruit merchant. The house had many
tenants throughout the early 20th century.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington.
Lexington Directories,various dates.
Middlesex County Register of Deeds, Cambridge,Mass.
U.S. Census,various dates.
Worthen,Edwin B. Tracing the Past in Lexington, Massachusetts. New York: Vantage Press, 1998, p. 45.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
June 2009