HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_2001 FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION B 87
Office of the Secretary, State Ho❑sP
` n Lexington
4 J gess 2001 Mass.Ave.
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ent use Brigid's Church
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e Rectory of St
:nt owner St. Brigid's Church
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Queen Anne
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4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect C• /4- ed- e4 '6t-t i IGS-eV'
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Aluminium siding
t= Outbuildings (describe)
Other features Composite roof - 3 chimneys
(2 ridge-central & side; both with ornament
brick patterns) (Over)
Altered
Porch removed Date ?
Moved Date
iu 5. Lot size:
One acre or less x Over one acre
Approximate frontage 701
Approximate distance of building from street
25'
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by Ruth Beebe
USGS Quadrant
Organization
HC Photo no.
Date 9/16/75
(over)
7. Original owner (if known) �YQ,rr1GS G��j GWS{
Original use
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates
8. Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal Conservation Recreation
- Agricu.Lural 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)
Details (cont) : 1 chimney in rear-Front gabl:e with 3 small, narrow
windows - 2 front towers ( 1 hexagonal, 1 rounded)
Front door off center (stick work on glass) -Double
bay an left side (overhang,corner brackets over
lower window in bay) - Bay on right - stone foundation
- stone foundation supports deck in front-Deck added in
rear (cement block room underneath)
P✓�v ows ll ova sif'e. 61� C�r� t2 o b� risU n pl c� —
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10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
3/73
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET [;Name:
: Form No:
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL CCKIISSION
.Office of the Secretary, Boston
2001 Massachusetts Ave
Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
This house was built in the 1890s by Francis Edward Ballard. Formerly
it had wrap-around porch and was considered one of the showplaces of Lexington
until its mutilation by the owner, Merlin Ladd, about 1951 or 1952, at which
time the porch was removed and vertical boarding installed on the bay.
(Aluminum siding may have been installed at this time.)
The Ballard family came to Lexington in 1871 (see Hudson, Volume II, p. 20)
and first lived in a house (now razed) that stood where the driveway into
Lexington Gardens, 93 Hancock Street, now is. The family was very prominent in
Lexington, various members being active in Scouting, Field and Garden Club,
First Parish Church, and town affairs.
The contractor for the building was C.H. Meade 'of Boston (Lexington Minute
Man, June 16, 1893) . When constructed, the house was painted "an attractive
combination of salmon tint and cream color" (Lexington Minute Man, October 6,
1893) .
The building has some characteristics of a design by Hartwell and
Richardson: polygonal and semicircular turrets with peaked roofs and a steep
roof pitch. The architects had recently designed the Hancock School and the
A.E. Scott mansion in town and perhaps the Ballards also sought their services.
S. Lawrence Whipple, 1984
Anne Grady, 1984
Staple to Inventory form at bottom