HomeMy WebLinkAboutmassachusetts-avenue_2377 FORM B — BUILDING Assessor's Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
50/150A Boston 1607
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION North
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD Town: Lexington
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Photograph
Address: 2377 Massachusetts Avenue
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Historic Name: Dennis McNamara House
Uses: Present: residential
Original: residential
Date of Construction: c.1860
_ Source: maps, Census data
Style/Form:
Architect/Builder: unknown
.= Exterior Material:
77
- _ Foundation: granite
Wall/Trim: wood clapboards
Roof: asphalt shingles
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Topographic or Assessor's Map barn
X17 490 0co
111.4'
Major Alterations(with dates):
early 20th c. —porch
109.74 125' M M date unknown—Col. Revival entrance
� 151
39,204
Condition: good
73"
3 150A Moved: no x yes Date
o 21,270 149 Acreage: 0.49 acre
9,040
12s Setting: mixed residential neighborhood
407 73 a 88.4' MIA along busy road
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MgsSgCHUSERS qVE 2377
MD TO
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103.2' z3eo 0 1p5
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Recorded by: Lisa Mausolf
Organization: Lexington Historical Commission
Date(month/year): May 2008
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET LEXINGTON 2377 MASS. AVENUE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD,BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
1607
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.
2377 Massachusetts Avenue is a well-preserved 2 %2-story, 3 x 2-bay, side-gabled dwelling dating to the mid 19th century. Set
on a granite foundation,the house is sheathed in wood clapboards and capped by a gable roof with projecting eaves that end in
returns on the gable ends. The house is fronted by a single-story porch supported by Doric columns that appears to date to the
early 20th century. The Colonial Revival entrance is a more recent alteration. Windows contain 6/6 wooden sash and are
capped by projecting shed lintels. A modern deck is located to the rear and an exterior brick chimney has been added on the
west end.
Behind the house is a side-hill English barn which is sheathed primarily in wood clapboards with vertical boards on the gable
ends. The barn is set on a rubble foundation. The large vertical board barn door on the fagade is fronted by a grassy ramp with a
stone retaining wall along the east side allowing for access to the lower level. Other fenestration includes 6/6 windows.
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.
Based on inspection of historic maps and Census data, it appears that this house was constructed between 1853 and 1870. The
1876 map indicates it was then owned by D. McNamara. Dennis McNamara was born in Ireland in 1826 and married Catherine
Cosgrove. The couple lived in Waltham in 1860 but by 1870 was living here. Several of their children also settled in the
neighborhood(Dennis Jr. at 2243 Mass. Ave. and Nellie(married to Thomas Breslin) at 2219 Mass. Ave.) In 1880 McNamara,
a stone mason,was living here with his wife, four daughters and two sons. He died May 3, 1907.
The house was later occupied by son, Dennis McNamara,Jr., also a stone mason, and his wife Catherine. It is still owned by
members of the McNamara family today.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
1853, 1876, 1889, 1898, 1906 maps
Middlesex South Registry of Deeds, Cambridge,Mass.
Town Directories
U.S. Census,various years.
Continuation sheet 1
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET LEXINGTON 2377 MASS. AVENUE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD,BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
1607
f
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Continuation sheet 2