HomeMy WebLinkAboutoakmount-circle_0028 FORM B - BUILDING
Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
56/184A Boston N. 1107
= Town Lexington
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Place (neighborhood or village) Upper Meriam Hill
{ Address 28 Oakmount Circle
Historic Name Frank&Dorothy Sheldon House
Uses: Present Residential
Original Residential
Date of Construction 1929
Source Lexington Valuation Lists
Style/Form Tudor Revival
Architect/Builder unknown
Exterior Material:
Foundation undetermined
M- --ii Walt/Trim brick
Roof slate
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Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
none
Major Alterations (with dates)
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Condition good
Moved ® no ❑ yes Date
Acreage 99,896 SF
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Recorded by Lisa Mausolf Setting secluded early 20th century residential
Organization Lexington Historical Commission neighborhood opposite Granny Pond
Date (month/year) June 2000
Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
BUILDING FORM (28 Oakmount Circle)
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the
community.
Situated across the road from Granny Pond, 28 Oakmount Circle is a long, rambling brick Tudor Revival dwelling with a
slight angle in the plan,giving it a slight"V"of a footprint. The house is capped by a hipped, slate roof which is flared at the
ends and provide an overhang. The surface of the brick veneer is enlivened by an occasional projecting brick. Near the
center of the angled facade is a projecting entrance porch with half timbering in its front gable and projecting rafters. The
entrance contains a vertical board door. To the left, an exterior brick chimney breaks through the roof. To the right of the
entrance is a steeply-pitched asymmetrical gable. The top of the gable has a rough stucco covering with half timbering and is
supported by four brackets. The gable is punctuated by random vertical windows containing 2 x 3-lights and capped by flat
arch brick lintels. Most of the remaining windows consist of multi-light casements. Those on the first floor are capped by
transom lights and flat arch brick lintels. Rising from the roof are several hip dormers with half-timbered sides.
At the right end of the house a brick wall extends from the front corner and is crowned by a wrought iron arch. At the left
end of the house the second story overhangs the first slightly and is supported by four brackets. The upper story is decorated
by false half timbering. An open deck extends outward from the elevation, set above a lower level two-car garage.
The house is fronted by a large semcircular drive. Along the street a low stone wall encloses an area filled with pine trees,
oaks qnd rhododendrons.
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HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Describe 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 large brick mansion was constructed in 1929 for Frank Sheldon, a plumber, and his wife Dorothy. In 1929 the town
Valuation List indicates that the Sheldons were assessed for the land only (lots 125 & 136 and part of 124 of the Oakmount
Park subdivision) but the following year their assessment included the addition of a house valued at$55,000. Mrs. Sheldon
apparently sold the house in 1936 to Sydney and Beatrice Palmer,who conveyed it to Gloria and Louis Lerner prior to 1950.
The Lerners sold the property to Harold and Celia Lebow in the 1960s and Celia Lebow Talkov sold it to Daniel and Patricia
Grieff in 1983.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Lexington Assessors Records.
Lexington Directories,various dates.
Lexington Valuation Lists, various dates.
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Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, you must attached a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form.