HomeMy WebLinkAboutwaltham-street_0020 FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION A 19
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston
Lexington
"`- ass 20 Waltham St.
�� , �✓. �a,�l�.n d 1�1�rres �a.r n
Ent use Cory-Flair -Clothing Store
snt owner
_ - ription:
R; - -_ _ 1NE iRA9EtEflS INSURANCE CCIAPANIES a
pre 1851
urce
_ t
Barn (renovated)
-i. Map. t)raw SxeLcii ui uuiiuing iuc;atiiuu areniteet
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Brick, clapboard
Outbuildings (describe)
__ ---- � --- Other features Note weathervane-gable end to
"'V - street, 2 1/2 story; lst. floor brick facade;
R 2nd floor clapboard-barn cupola w. arrow
_ (over)
_ Altered Yes Date
Moved Date
R`
5. Lot size:
j
- f One acre or less X Over one acre
Approximate frontage 50
Approximate distance of building from street
V1 on sidewalk
r
O NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by E. W. Reinhardt
USGS Quadrant
Organization_ Lexington Historical Commission
HC Photo no.
Date October, 1975
(over)
qm-?-75-R061465 (20M-2476)
7. Original owner (if known) Dr. Howland Holmes, renovated by son Frank
Original use Barn
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates Post office - 1924, Alvin's Store 1938
8. Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal Conservation Recreation
Agricultural 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)
(House originally associated with barn, called \-1entrance house, belonged
to Muzzey family on corner of Mass. Ave & Waltham, entrance only on Waltham. Bought
1851 by Dr. Holmes.Torn down 1925.)
Descrip cont: weathervane survives - window in gable peak may be old. ( 6 x 1 panes)
wing to right (2 story) to enlarge shop.
Historical significance (continued)
See Lexington Minute Man newspaper, May 13, 1982, article by Alice Hinkle
on Holmes family and converted barn. See archives of the Lexington Historical
Society for ink and wash drawing of Dr. Holmes' house.
S. Lawrence Whipple, 1984
10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
Ed. Worthen. Calendar History of Lexington - p.118
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address
LEXINGTON 20 WALTHAM STREET
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD 19
BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
This was formerly the barn on Dr. Howland Holmes' property. The house was located at the corner of Massachusetts
Avenue and Waltham Street and was demolished about 1925 to make way for the Aldrich Block at 1736 Massachusetts
Avenue(#18).
The barn at 20 Waltham Street was converted to the post office in 1924 and remained as such until the new Post Office at
1661 Massachusetts Avenue (#16)was put in service in 1938.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Kelly,Beverly Allison. Lexington: A Century of Photographs. Lexington Historical Society, 1980,p. 91.
Supplement prepared by:
Lisa Mausolf
March 2009
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Early 20`"century photo of 20 Waltham St.
Source: Kelly,p. 91.