HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_1844 FORM B — BUILDING Assessor's Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
49/76 Boston
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION North
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125 Town: Lexington
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Photograph Central Business District
Address: 1844 Massachusetts Avenue
Historic Name: A. A. Marshall & Sons Building
Uses: Present: commercial/offices
i 51x1 i
Original: undertaker/offices
Date of Construction: 1929
Source: Minute-man, 8/30/1929 & 9/18/1929
Style/Form: Colonial Revival
- - - — Architect/Builder: Kilham, Hopkins & Greeley
Exterior Material:
Foundation: concrete
Wall/Trim: brick, concrete
Topographic or Assessor's Map
Roof: tar and gravel
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
none
Major Alterations(with dates):
� ,�� � ��'• Condition: good
. 19
Moved: no x yes Date
. e Acreage: 0.12 acre
° Setting: mixed downtown area
J,
.5'
190S
Recorded by: Lisa Mausolf
Organization: Lexington Historical Commission
Date(month/year): January 2010
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET LEXINGTON 1844 Mass. Ave.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD,BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
If checked,you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community.
Located next to Cary Library, 1844 Massachusetts Avenue is an unusual Colonial Revival-style commercial block designed by
the firm of Kilham,Hopkins & Greeley. The two-story, flat-roofed brick structure is oriented with its narrow three-bay wide
end to Massachusetts Avenue. At the center of the first floor there is a large display window fronted by a decorative,turned
balustrade. On either side of the window is a glass-and-panel door capped by a flat arch brick lintel and flat canopy suspended
by metal chains hanging from diamond-shaped concrete panels. Above the central display window is an arched window
flanked by sidelights and fronted by an iron balconette. The roofline features a stepped parapet decorated by decorative
consoles. The west elevation of the main building consists of a three-bay wide brick structure on either side of a longer,two-
story,gambrel-roofed section which is sheathed in stucco. The seven openings of the central section contain arched windows
and are capped by arched brick bands. Rising from the gambrel roof are seven gable dormers.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local(or state)history. Include uses of the building, and the role(s) the
owners/occupants played within the community.
This building was constructed for A.A. Marshall& Sons,undertakers, in 1929,replacing an earlier building which was
demolished. As originally constructed,the first floor contained the main office with a smaller office behind it. At the rear was
the high-posted chapel, capable of seating 75 and incorporating a fireplace and mantel, floor lamps and easy chairs. Off the
larger room was a smaller family sitting room, a display room,workroom and finally, a modern garage. The second floor
contained additional offices.
The building was designed by Kilham,Hopkins, and Greeley who also designed Cary Memorial Hall,the Lexington Town
Offices,renovations to the Depot and the Franklin School at 7 Stedman Road in Lexington. Walter H. Kilham(1868-1948), a
prominent architect of his time, designed many schools and public buildings in Massachusetts. He opened an architectural office
in Boston in 1898 and two years later entered into partnership with James C. Hopkins (1873-1938). Lexington resident William
Roger Greeley(1881-1966)joined the firm in 1913 and became a partner in 1925.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Department of Public Safety records,Massachusetts State Archives, Boston.
Lexington Minute-man, 8/30/1929; 9/18/1929; 11/8/1929; 10/13/1966.
Middlesex South Register of Deeds, Cambridge,MA
Myer,Kate,with Maureen Cavanaugh and Betsy Friedberg. National Register Nomination for Franklin School,April 2009.
Town Directories.
Continuation sheet 1
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET LEXINGTON 1844 Mass. Ave.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD,BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
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Continuation sheet 2