HomeMy WebLinkAboutmeriam-street_0057 ^AREA FORM NO.
FORM B - BUILDING X87
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MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
294 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON, MA 02108
wII Lexinqton
dress 57 Meriam Street
storic Name William Reed House
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f-- e: Present residential
- Original residential
- DESCRIPTION:
T
; <_ •.� P - _ :_ to c. 1914
Source Sarah Emily Brown Shoenhut
SKETCH MAP
Show property's location in relation Style Italian villa
to nearest cross streets and/or
geographical features. Indicate Architect Willard Brown
all buildings between inventoried
property and nearest intersection. Exterior wall fabric stucco
Indicate north.
Outbuildings
i
;F- Major alterations (with dates)
//� Moved Date
l Approx. acreage 1.8 Ao ( ?6948 f't.2 '
Recorded by Anne G-1-a y Setting On the western crest of Granny
Organization Lexington Historical Commission Hill, one of the highest sites in Lexinq-
Date March, 1984 ton; panoramic view to west.
(Staple additional sheets here)
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (Describe important architectural features and
evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community.)
This substantial house is one of the most Italian of jillard Brown's
designs. Brown had studied in Italy and, according to his daughter, was
particularly fond of the country's architecture. Features include those Brown
was ant to use in many of his buildings: low hovering roof with broad overhang_
and "eyebrow" porticn,and fieldstone areas; but it also incorporates sone
specif�.c Italian references such as the red tile roof, the elaborate wrought
iron_ hinge: on several exterior doors, and the overall stucco finish.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE (Explain the role owners played in local or state
history and how the building relates to the development of the community.)
The house was built ay t^7iiliar, Wadsworth Reed, a real estate dealer.
An enthusiastic tennis player, he constructed one of the earliest private
tennis courts in Lexinaton on the lot.
vUr�I icrvti r ��e 12ee� cS'h 1 i I�-�2. w. 192.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES (name of publication, author, date and publisher)
Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington, revised and continued to
1912 by the Lexington Historical Society, Volume II, D. 569. Boston:
Houghton :Mifflin, 1913.
Plans by Willard Brown in possession of the current owner.
1OM - 7/82
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Comwnity: Form No:
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL. CtlriESSION Lexington 387
Office of the Secretary, Boston
Property Name: 57 Meriam Street
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Staple to Inventory form at bottom