Hancock St. Architectural Tour
36 Hancock Street
Stop 7
STOP #7. 36 Hancock Street
Hancock-Clarke House. Georgian style.
The focus of Georgian style architecture was of strict symmetry. When it was built in 1737 this Georgian style home was the finest and most sophisticated dwelling in Lexington and exhibits many of the characteristics of the Georgian style.
Hancock-Clarke House. Georgian style.
The focus of Georgian style architecture was of strict symmetry. When it was built in 1737 this Georgian style home was the finest and most sophisticated dwelling in Lexington and exhibits many of the characteristics of the Georgian style.
There are five windows across the upper story all framed with shutters. Of particular note, is the paneled front door framed with flattened columns topped by a horizontal transom.
The ell, the north part of the house, has a Gambrel roof. A Gambrel roof is symmetrical with two slopes on each side.
The Hancock-Clarke House is owned and operated by the Lexington Historical Society as a historic house museum.
It was the home of the Reverend John Hancock for 54 years. The Reverend Hancock was the grandfather of the patriot leader, John Hancock. Reverend Hancock's successor, the Reverend Jonas Clarke, was the Lexington Minister for the next 50 years.The Hancock-Clarke House was the destination of Paul Revere, and a second rider, William Dawes, on the night of April 18th in 1775.
The building was threatened with demolition in 1896, at which time the society purchased it and moved it across the street. In 1974 the society moved it back to its original location. A major restoration was completed in 2009.
The home was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
NOTE: Use the crosswalk in front of the house to carefully cross the street and then walk back toward Lexington Green and Buckman Tavern.
When passing Hancock Avenue look down the right-hand side of the street to see the row of Mansard roofed houses built shortly after the civil war. This was Lexington’s first housing development with 5 houses built on speculation by John L. Norris, Builder / Architect. One of these houses was destroyed as the result of a gas line explosion in 2005, so only four remain today.
This is the end of the Hancock Street Architecture Walking Tour. We thank you for your time and interest in this tour.
Please make sure you see the other walking tours we have developed about Lexington Massachusetts by clicking on the right arrow below.
The Hancock-Clarke House is owned and operated by the Lexington Historical Society as a historic house museum.
It was the home of the Reverend John Hancock for 54 years. The Reverend Hancock was the grandfather of the patriot leader, John Hancock. Reverend Hancock's successor, the Reverend Jonas Clarke, was the Lexington Minister for the next 50 years.The Hancock-Clarke House was the destination of Paul Revere, and a second rider, William Dawes, on the night of April 18th in 1775.
The building was threatened with demolition in 1896, at which time the society purchased it and moved it across the street. In 1974 the society moved it back to its original location. A major restoration was completed in 2009.
The home was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
NOTE: Use the crosswalk in front of the house to carefully cross the street and then walk back toward Lexington Green and Buckman Tavern.
When passing Hancock Avenue look down the right-hand side of the street to see the row of Mansard roofed houses built shortly after the civil war. This was Lexington’s first housing development with 5 houses built on speculation by John L. Norris, Builder / Architect. One of these houses was destroyed as the result of a gas line explosion in 2005, so only four remain today.
This is the end of the Hancock Street Architecture Walking Tour. We thank you for your time and interest in this tour.
Please make sure you see the other walking tours we have developed about Lexington Massachusetts by clicking on the right arrow below.
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