HomeMy WebLinkAboutmeriam-street_0039 FORM B -BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
I 56/132 Boston N. 1096
1
k
Town Lexington
i
Place (neighborhood or village) Upper Meriam Hill
z Address 39 Meriam Street
s ` Historic Name James &Helen Barrington House
i
�s
' `+=4 Uses: Present Residential
y Original Residential
t" Date of Construction 1939
Source Lexington Valuation Lists
now
t '� + Style/Form Tudor Revival
Architect/Builder Royal Barry Wills
Exterior Material:
'. Foundation concrete
Wall/Trim brick/wood/stucco
O \
1
Roof slate
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
�J
none
r�E�= ROb`X
Major Alterations (with dates) 2000 -addition
�R1►r /
Condition good
r Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
� r
�O+o Acreage 34,843 SF
Recorded by Lisa Mausolf Setting mixed 20th century residential neighborhood
Organization Lexington Historical Commission
Date (month/year) June 2000
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
BUILDING FORM (39 Meriam Street)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
Constructed in 1939, 39 Meriam Street is a rambling, I 1/2-story, side-gabled, brick dwelling capped by a steeply pitched
slate roof The house is minimally Tudor Revival in style and typical of the simplified, almost Ranch-like version of the form
which was popular in the pre-World War II era. There is no attempt here at precisely copying medieval forms but various
details are loosely applied including an overhanging gable which is half-timbered with live edge siding at the top of the gable.
Brick infill in a herringbone pattern is also visible between some timbers. Decorative beams accent the overhang and
diamond-paned leaded glass fills some of the casements. Live edge siding also caps the gable dormers which contain multi-
light casements. The wooden front door is decorated by a studded diamond design and displays large iron hinges.
A two-car garage is located in the eastern end of the house. A single-story addition is currently under construction at the west
end.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Describe the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building and
the rble(s) the owners/occupants played within the community.
ThAouse was constructed for James and Helen Barrington shortly before their marriage in 1940. The Valuation List
indicates that in 1939 James Barrington was assessed for an unfinished house on Meriam Street valued at$2,500. The
following year the assessment had climbed to $15,000, indicating the completion of the house. The 1940 Poll List shows that
Helen T. Chadwick, age 42,was living at 17 Audubon Street in 1939 while James L. Barrington, 52, was living at 24
Bloomfield Street. Subsequent directories list Mr. and Mrs. Barrington in residence at 39 Meriam Street. He was employed
as a sales manager.
By 1959 Helene and W. John Dunnan were living in the house. Ralph and Helen Davis owned the house from 1954 to 1964.
Later owners included Robert Anthony who sold the property to the present owners in 1971.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Lexington Assessors Records.
Lexington Directories, various dates.
Lexington Valuation Lists, various dates.
)Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attached a completed
Na6�onal Register Criteria Statement form.