Nomination for Wyman, Francis, House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) PH0047511 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OFTHE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATA SHEET FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVEO FEB & 8 1975 DATE ENTERED NAR 1 8.1975 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME HISTORIC | Francis Wyman, House AND/OR COMMOMyman Homestead 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER Francis Wyman Road CITY.

TOWN -NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Burlington STATE Massachusetts - - VICINITY OF 825 OUNT hodleser SOPF 3 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY -DISTRICT XBUILDING(S) STRUCTURE SITE __OBJECT OWNERSHIP _PUBLIC XPRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION _IN PROCESS _BEING CONSIDERED STATUS XOCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE XYES: RESTRICTED -YES: UNRESTRICTED -NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE -MUSEUM _COMMERCIAL PARK _EDUCATIONAL PRIVATE RESIDENCE ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL -TRANSPORTATION MILITARY _OTHER: 4 OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Francis Wyman Association STREET & NUMBER c/o Rev. Ralph Tucker, 928 Main Street CITY TOWN WestNewbury VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION STATE Massachusetts 01985 COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC.

STREET & NUMBER County Courthouse Third Street CITY TOWN Cambridge STATE Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth (also HABS, 1935-37) DATE 1967 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY, TOWN XFEDERAL XSTATE _COUNTY _LOCAL Mass. Historical Commission (Library of Congress) Boston STATI assachusettc 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION EXCELLENT XGOOD FAIR DETERIORATED LRUINS _UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE _UNALTERED XALTERED CHECK ONE AORIGINAL SITE -MOED DATE. DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN), PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Wyman Homestead sits atop a small knoll on the west side of Francis Wyman Road, a short distance northwest of the center of Burlington, Massachusetts. The first quarter 18th century building faces south and utilizes the cellar foundation and chimney structure of the former mid-17th century Francis Wyamn farmhouse. The land to the north, south and east of the Wyman Homestead is occupied by a slightly crowded twentieth century urban development. The view to the west, however, presents a picture of the mid-17th century, when the Wyman farm consisted of 500 acres purchased from Henry Dunster, president of Harvard College. The Wyman Homestead is a four over four dwelling with central chimney and pitch roof. The exterior walls are covered with clapboards with cornerboards.

The fieldstone foundation extends under slightly more than half of the building and together with the chimney foundation appear to have been built during the 17th century. The roof framing is of the common rafter and purlin variety with ridge pole. Primary structural components are made of pine with the exception of studs, braces and posts. It appears that the Wyman Homestead was built around 1730 and is an unquestion- ably fine example of a transition period house. The floor plan is definitely mid-18th century; however, the structure and interior trim relate more closely to the type of construction which characterizes the typical first period, single room wide structure.

Each of the eight rooms of the Wyman Homestead is framed in the late first period fashion with posts at eadh corner and summer beams joined per- pendicularly to the chimney girts with rising braces at the second floor level. Major structural components are exposed on the second floor and retain the character- istic 18th century half round bead, whereas the exposed portion of the frame on the first floor is more elaborately enclosed in a beaded casing. Most of the interior walls are covered with early bevel and bead molded edge sheath- ing complimented by large reverse curve molding at the ceiling junction. Located at the front of the chimney is a fine 18th century staircase with original newel post and molded edge rail. Other interior features include early two-panel doors, many retaining their original hardware, and a fine example of an original nine- panel front door.

The two most interesting interior features of the Wyman Homestead are the original puncheon stairway which leads to the cellar and an unfinished room in the north- west corner of the second floor. The puncheon stairs are unique in that they are one of the few intact surviving examples of this primitive construction technique. (Each stair is sawed diagonally from a rectangular block of oak and connected to the stringers with large wooden pegs.) The second floor northwest room is literally untouched in appearance with exposed wall framing which provides an excellent example of early 18th century construction.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 -1500-1599 _1600-1699 X 1700-1799 -1800-1899 _1900- _ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE ART COMMERCE -COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW -COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _CONSERVATION -LAW _ECONOMICS _LITERATURE EDUCATION _MILITARY ENGINEERING -MUSIC _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY INDUSTRY -POLITICS/GOVERNMENT LINVENTION -RELIGION -SCIENCE -SCULPTURE _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -THEATER -TRANSPORTATION -OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Wyman Homestead stands on a small portion of the 500 acres of land originally purchased by Francis Wyman in 1655 from Henry Dunster, first president of Harvard College. The early 18th century building utilizes the chimney structure and foundation that was once incorporated in the original 1666 farmhouse built by Francis Wyman. The present house was built by a third generation Wyman. The house is architecturally significant because it clearly displays the transition i construction between the first period style, (before 1720), and that style common to mid-18th century buildings. Many interior features also display the trend in style which placed great emphasis on the joiners trade and a decrease in importance on the carpenter or housewright's trade.

The Wyman Homestead depicts that stage in the history of building construc- tion when the heavy First Period frame became diminished in size and eventually was hidden by plaster ceilings and elaborate raised panelled sheathing. The existence of a partially exposed frame, simple beaded trim and considerable feathered edge sheathing in combination with elaborate reverse curve moldings make this building an interesting example of transition features. This, together with a completely untouched and unfinished room, and elegant 18th century staircase with newel post and molded edge rail and a primitive puncheon stairway add another degree of importance to this dwelling. Historically, the Wyman homestead is significant because it stands as one of the few reminders of the first settlers in the Woburn-Billerica area.

The Wymans not only played an important role in the settlement period of Billerica, but were significantly involved in the early stages of the Revolutionary war as evidenced by the fact that Samuel Adams and John Hancock took refuge in the John Wyman House while fleeing from the British prior to the battle of Concord. Another interesting feature which adds to the historical significance of the Wyman Homestead is that this building was used as a garrison prior to 1740 because of Indian attacks in the area.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Hazen, History of Billerica, Boston, MA Dow, George Francis (S.P.N.E.A.), talk given to Francis Wyman Assoc.

in October 1923 Middlesex Registry of Deeds, Book 3, page 149, 139 Woburn Town Records, 1:56, 1:50 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY Slightly more than l acre UTM REFERENCES A[1,91 ZONE 13P 712,2,0 EASTING 14.710,9579 NORTHING LILILLL VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION HR JORTHING LiLiLu LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME /TITLE Christine Boulding, Assistant Survey Director, by Frank Demers ORGANIZATION DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission February 1975 STREET & NUMBER TELEPHONE 40 Beacon Street 617-727-8470 CITY OR TOWN STATE Boston Massachusetts 02108 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - STATE _ LOCAL X As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

Eliadech R. Amadon 2/26/75 TITLE Mass. State Historic Preservation Officer DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY -THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGY ANDHISTORIC PRESERVATION ATTEST: KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER MluitaA DATE 3/18/75 DATE 3/12/25 Property State Kyman, Francis, Hause Mass. Working Number 2. 28.75.309 TECHNICAL Photos - Maps 2 Middlesez CONTROL OK 3.3.25 HISTORIAN Thorman 3-6-75 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN RESTORATION 1901-2 UNKNOWW IF DOWASSOCIATED IN RESTORATIOW ACCEPT LEBOVICH 3-3-75 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory Review REVIEW UNITCHIEF accepi Cole BRANCH CHIEF National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 5-6-75 Send-back_ Re-submit Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No.

7 3.12.75 KEEPER Wru 3/12>5 MAR 1.3 1975 INT:2106-74 Rucco 1/1|75 FRA I5 HIYMAN HOUS FORM 10-301 A (6/72) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or en close with photograph) AND/OR HISTORIC Francis Wyman House 1. NAME COMMON Wyman Homestead 2. L.OCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER NUMERIC CODE (Assigned COUNTY Middlesex TOWN Burlington 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT A.A. Cerullo DATE January 1975 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC.

interior, room in north west corner, second floor NEGATIVE FILED AT 9 Andover St., RECEVE# 2 FEB 2 8 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER 9 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL RE CERULLO FORM 10-301 A (6/72) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or en close with photograph) AND/OR HISTORIC Francis Wyman House 1 NAME COMMON Wyman Homestead 2. L.OCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NF MAR 13 197 COUNTY Middlesex TOWN Burlington 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT A.A. Cerullo 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. south facade DATE January 1975 NEGATIVE FILED AT 9 Andover St. Andot RECEIVED FEB 2 8 1975 NATIONAL REGISTER # #200 G PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Form No. 10-301 (Rev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED FEB & 8 1975 DATE ENTEREDUAR SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP 1 2 3 4 NAME HISTORIC Francis Wyman House AND/OR COMMON Wyman Homestead LOCATION CITY, TOWN Burlington MAP REFERENCE SOURCE sketch map SCALE not to scale REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES -VICINITY OF COUNTY Middlesex STATE MA DATE January 1975 BILLERICA TOWN LINE_ BURLINGTON 500f++ WYmAN HOUSE Rdl. (RTE 62) WYMAN FRANCIS FRANCIS WYMAN HOMESTEAD CENTER OF BURLINGTON Form No. 10-301 (Rev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED FEB 2 8 1975 DATE ENTERED MAR 8 1975 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- ENCLOSE WITH MAP 1 2 3 4 NAME HISTORIC Francis Wyman House AND/OR COMMON Wyman Homestead LOCATION CITY. TOWN Burlington -VICINITY OF MAP REFERENCE SOURCE United States Geological Survey SCALE 1:24,000 DATE 1965 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 2. NORTH ARROW 3. UTM REFERENCES countY Middlesex STATE MA The Commonwealch of Massachusetts Office of the Seoretary Massachusetts Historical Commission 40 Beacon Stveet Boston, Massachuselts 02108 727-8470 Paul Guzzi Feoretamy of the Common February 26, 1975 Mr.

Charles Herrington, Chief Registration National Register of Historic Places National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior 18th and C Streets,N.W. Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Charles: CERTIFIED MAIL APPORTIONMENT WARRANT NOMINATION Enclosed please find three National Register submissions for the following properties: 1. Burlington, Francis Wyman House, Middlesex County 2. Gloucester, Oak Grove Cemetery, Essex County 3. Newburyport, Brown Square House, Essex County These properties have been declared eligible for submission by the Massachusetts Historical Commission (the State Review Board), and have been signed by Elizabeth R. Amadon, Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer. Please note that the properties covered by these submissions expect to apply for FY '76 funding. If you have any questions or need more in- formation please let us know.

Sincerely, Patrunai d.ledlinostii Patricia L. Weslowski Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission aTPIET RECEIVED FEB 2 8 1975 PLW:CB:nb Encl. HEGISTER: 97 GTTE ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE Date Entered MASSACHUSEITS MAR 1 8 1975 Name Location G.A.8, Ball Hyuan, Francia, House WoteasteE Worcester County Burkingten Middlesex County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Sdverd W, Brooke Hon. Josaph D, Berly Hon. Torbert i. HaeDonald Regional Dizector, North Atlantie Region State Ilatorie Preservetion OEfseer Mre. B1izabeth 8, Anadon Breeutive Director Massachueetts Historieal ConnSssion 40 Beacon Street Beaton, Massechusetta 02108 PR MMott 3/14/75 NR Data Sheet DATE: 3 23| 77 Reviewer INTEiALS: Guoft. NR DOE Mar 13,.1975 NAME AS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: Wyman, Francis, House OTHER NANES: Wyman Homestead- sec.

LOCATION: St STREET & NUMBER Francis Wyman Road CITY. TOWN CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT VICINITY OF STATE - Burlington Massachusetts COUNTY Middlesefode 017 . OWNER OF PROPERTY: (Circle) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL COUNTY HABS ja. FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME): OTHER ADMINISTRATOR (underiine) NPS REGION: (CIRCLEX N.ATLANTIC' MID ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST MIDWEST SOUTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FEATURES: CONDITION - ENTERIOR EXTERIOR ENVIRONS LSubstantially intact-1 substantially intact-2 - Substantially intact-3 - unknown - 4 - unknown -5 -unknowns-6 - not applicable - 7 - not applicable - 8 _Not applicable-9 -Interior, exterior, environs not intact-0 .EXCELLENT _GOOD -FAIR _DETERIORATED _UNALTERED _RUINS ALTERED _UNEXPOSED -Reconstructed _ORIGINAL SITE _MOVED -Unknown _U'nexcavated _Excavated ACCESS - Yes-restricted historic district?

Yes-urrestricted No access Unknown YES WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT? IF YES, NAME: YES WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? IF YES, NAME: YES NO ADAPTIVE USE: YES NO Saved?

YES NO FUNCTION (S): (use vocabulary words) then- prwvate kesidence now- SIGNIFICANCE: -ARCHEOLUGY-PREHISTORIC _ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE LARCHITECTURE - ART -COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS Claims "first" -CONSERVATION LECONOMICS -EDUCATION _ENGINEERING -EXPLORATION -INDUSTRY _INVENTION YES NO -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE -RELIGION -LAW/Gov't/politics _SCIENCE -LITERATURE -MILITARY -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN -MUSIC _PHILOSOPHY -POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) "oldest"' YES NO --entertainment -health -recreation -settlement -socio/cultural - urban & commun planning "only" YES NO ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: COLONIaL architect/m.builder: landscape/garden designer: interior decorator: engineer: artist/artisan: builder/contractor: ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (label role & appropriate date) personal Francis Wyman - early aua settler - srivalred in Rev.

war Strusgles events institutional DATES: DATE OF CONSTRUCTION (Specific date or 1/4 of century): C./730 DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) : SOURCE: (OF NOMINATION) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER FEDERAL 'AGENCY: ACREAGB! ico nesrert consh or an acel slightly wore thaa 1 COMMENTS: (include architectural infornation here) FRAME, CLAPBOARDING, FIELDSTONE central FOUNDATION: 22 STORIES, RECTANGULAR, GABLED ROOF, CENFER CHIMNEY ; FRONT CENTER AND SIDE ENTRANCES, EACH WIT WiDE" ARCHI- -TRAVE: INTERIOR FEATURES PRIMITIUE WOODWORK AND KARE PUNCHEON BUILT ON FOUNDATIOINS OFCI6GE HOUSE CELLAR STaIRS: GUSSKEXAMPLE OF TRANSiTIONAL CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES, WITH SUHE EXPOGED FRNLING; CLASSH EXAMPLE OF SIGNIFICANCE:(naximum tro sontences, MH -18H6. CELGNALSAYLE. EXHIBITING -BOTH PRIMITIVE EXPOSES 7KAMING AND REFIED.. INTIkioR woosworek. Museum.

HABS, 6.