Lyman Road 88.pdf Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.
FORM B − BUILDING
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Photograph
Topographic or Assessor's Map
Recorded by: Jayne Bernhard-Armington
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): June, 2010
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
39A-052 Easthampton NTH.1083
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 88 Lyman Road
Historic Name: Gerald Stanley Lee House
Uses: Present: Six family residence
Original: Single Family residence
Date of Construction: 1883-95
Source: Registry of Deeds & Atlas
Style/Form: No style
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: Brick
Wall/Trim: Vinyl
Roof: Asphalt
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
garage
Major Alterations (with dates):
All architectural features have been removed.
Condition: Good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.90 acres
Setting: House among other stately single family or former single family homes in a well-established residential
neighborhood, which contains mature trees throughout.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [88 LYMAN ROAD]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.1083
_X__ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.
Use as much space as necessary to complete the following entries, allowing text to flow onto additional continuation sheets.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community.
This is a large rambling house set back from the street, and at the brow of Fort Hill. To the east and south the land drops about fifty feet into the meadows, providing a long vista across the meadows and Connecticut River to the Holyoke Range. Basically
there are two houses joined together, both of which are shown on the 1895 atlas. Virtually all architectural details have been stripped of the home so it is difficult to tell if this home was built to any style. The house has vinyl siding and vinyl windows. The
eastern component of the home may have started an Italianate styled home with its hipped roof, three sided bay, and three story corner entry tower with pyramidal roof, hipped dormers, and paired windows. The western component is two stories high with a
gable roof to the side. All windows on the home are replacements with one over one sashes. The house has two brick chimneys—one on each part of the house.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE Discuss 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.
From Form B of 1980: “The exact dating of this house is difficult as the 1884 Atlas doesn't cover all of High St. (now Lyman Rd.).
In 1883 Russell Roberts bought a large lot of land on the north side of the street at the brow of Fort Hill. Mr. Roberts already owned a house at 68 High Street, so in 1885 he sold the large lot to Esmeriah Roberts. However a house is mentioned on the lot
at that time, and one is mentioned five days later when Esmeriah sells the western half of the lot to Alphonso Witherell. Esmeriah was a local jeweler and lived on Olive St. In 1895 this house is shown on the atlas and a Mrs. Roberts is listed as
owner. The first known occupant of the house is the Rev. Dr. Gerald Stanley Lee, who is listed here in 1898. The Rev. Lee maintained this house until his death in 1944. He was a prolific author and lecturer and spent much of his literary career in New
York, with his wifeJeanette, a former Smith College professor, he conducted the Lee School for Co-ordination and Balance. This school was continued in Northampton when the Lees made this city their permanent residence. Rev. Lee wrote on many
subjects, including: war, democracy, social problems and mental health. In 1905 he founded and edited "Mount Tom" magazine, an “all-outdoors magazine devoted to rest and worship and a little look off on the world". This was published until 1918.”
Gary Arnold and family have owned the house since before 1980.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Beers, F. W. County Atlas of Hampshire Massachusetts, New York, 1873.
Hales, John G. Plan of the Town or Northampton in the County of Hampshire, 1831. Miller, D. L. Atlas of the City of Northampton and Town of Easthampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, 1895.
Walker, George H. and Company. Atlas of Northampton City, Massachusetts, Boston, 1884. Walling, Henry F. Map of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, New York, 1860.
Northampton Directory: 1885 through 1900, 1925 Daily Hampshire Gazette, April 4, 1944.
Forbes Library-Photo Collection: Gerald Stanley Lee House. Card Catalog: Gerald Stanley Lee