HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_1454 FORM E - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION D 143
Office of t tie Secretary, State House, Boston
two Lexington
dress 1454 Mass. Ave.
me
esent use Residence
esent owner
scription:
q 1 to ( 90(O
— — Source M4I '
-= -le Colonial Revival
4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric A. siding
Outbuildings (describe) None
Other features Fieldstone foundation
3 first flnnr frnnt windows - 12 x 12 with
I' f-nn1ibt, Annr with side lights
K uE Altered Date
_�.-_., _ 5 L!E• ) -—- Moved Date
)C 5. Lot size:
i1
One acre or less x Over one acre
Approximate frontage 100'
J
Approximate distance of building from street
75'
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by F. W. Reinhardt
USGS Quadrant
Organization l,ex. Hist. Com..
HC Photo no.
Date 9/13/75
(over)
Ell
U1
_ Recreation
1 _ _ Religion
4 ' = Science/
" invention
- _ - _ Social/
humanitarian
Transportation
9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above)
Descrip. cont.
leaded glass fanlight; 2nd floor central triple window w. delicate leaded- glass pattern;
roof-high hip, asphalt shingle, two chimneys, two dormers front with curved pediment,
urn motif; central portico two story ionic columns supporting gable pediment with r'
cornice line with curved modillions; pilasters at corner; & defining central element,
also with ionic capitsl; urn shaped balusters at first floor porch level. E side with
1 fust floor palladian window, west side with 2 first floor palladian windows, rear
with one stair landing palladian window & stained glass rectangular window.
The house formerly on this site now stands at 6 Rowland Avenue (Pfaff) ,4 4rl 7)
although it stood somewhat nearer to Massachusetts Avenue and each side of the
front walk was flanked with lilac bushes (Reminiscence of Mrs. C.C. Goodwin,
Lexington Historical Society) . It was lived in by Col. William Munroe (Orderly
Sgt. in Capt. Parker's company of Minute Men) and later by his daughter,
Lucinda.
About 1910, the house was moved to "make room for the Fitch house" (Mrs.
C.C. Goodwin) . During the 1950s, this house was owned and lived in by Ronald
S. Woodberry, Jr. and his family.
S. Lawrence Whipple, 1984
10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
3/73
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 1454 MASS. AVE.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 143
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
A brief mention appearing in the Lexington Minute-Man on September 29, 1906, confirms a'1906 construction date for
this house. Prior to the construction of this house, an older structure which formerly occupied the site was moved to what
is now 6 Rowland Avenue(#477). The article notes:
The frame is up and boarded in for Mr. Benjamin Fitch's new house on the site of the former residence of Albert
Griffith's family known as"The Lilacs". The new building presents the appearance of quite a commodious
house. The old house which years ago was known as the Aunt Lucindy Munroe place, is now placed on a rear lot
of land to the east of its former position and is being occupied by Mr. Fitch's family while his new house is
building. The old place just alluded to was also known atone time, before the Griffiths occupied it, as the D.
Cutts Nye place. The old ell of the main structure was moved off the premises on Tuesday and presented a
curious sight as it proceeded up Mass. avenue on wheels.
According to the 1910 Census, Benjamin Fitch,then 70 years old,was living here with his wife Elizabeth and daughter
Mary. By 1924 Fitch had passed away and Elizabeth was living here. Mary Fitch occupied the house in 1926. The
occupant in 1932 was Thomas Keegan and in 1942 it was John Hess.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lexington Directories,various dates.
Lexington Minute-Man, Sept. 29, 1906.
Middlesex County Register of Deeds, Cambridge, Mass.
U.S. Census
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
February 2009