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- Preserving Weston's Rural Character
- Volume 2 - Architecture
- Historic Resources
- National Register Districts
- Kendal Green National Register Historic District
- Summary of Significance
Summary of Significance
The Kendal Green Historic District, Weston, retains its integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and fulfills Criteria A, B and C of the National Register at the local level.
Under Criterion A, the Kendal Green Historic District had a significant role in the development of Weston beginning in the early 1700s. The district extends along North Avenue, which was second only to Boston Post Road in historical importance and density of settlement. In the early days, North Avenue was known by other names, among them North Country Road, Concord Road, Lancaster Road, Lancaster Turnpike, Great Road, and “the road leading to Waltham.” The streetscape and buildings within the district reflect the gradual evolution of the Kendal Green area over two centuries from its rural, agrarian beginnings. The oldest building is a ca.1707 tavern built to serve travelers along North Avenue. Included within the district are important resources relating to two industries important in Weston history: the Hobbs Tannery, which prospered for over a century beginning about 1730 and spawned related businesses including shoe and bootmaking; and the Hook and Hastings Organ Factory, which moved here in 1889. The latter, a nationally-known company which manufactured music hall and church organs shipped all over the country, was for nearly half a century the largest industry in Weston. Although the factory itself has not survived, the district includes the owner’s house, stable and caretaker’s house and numerous workers’ cottages. The district also includes the former Drabbington Lodge, the only remaining hostelry from Weston’s period of popularity as a summer resort for Bostonians anxious for a respite from the city.
Under Criterion B, Kendal Green is associated with two men who made significant contributions to the history of the community, state or nation. General James F. B. Marshall was an Incorporator, Trustee and influential early administrator of the Hampton Institute of Virginia, a school founded after the Civil War for the education of black teachers. Upon his retirement to Weston in 1884, he remained active in many progressive causes on behalf of African Americans and Native Americans in the continental U.S. and Hawaii. Francis Henry Hastings was a partner and later sole owner of the prestigious Hook and Hastings Organ Factory. Under Hastings leadership, the company retained its preeminence after the death of the founding Hook brothers. When it closed in 1935, it was the oldest extant firm of pipe organ builders founded in the United States.1 After moving the factory from Roxbury to Weston in 1889, Hastings worked to create a “community of labor” with an atmosphere of mutual respect between employer and employee.
Under Criterion C , Kendal Green is a linear district extending along part of one of Weston’s earliest and most important transportation routes. It contains a rich and diverse collection of architecturally significant structures set within a 19th century rural landscape enhanced by mature trees and fieldstone walls. Included are a wide variety of building types, among them an early 18th century tavern, 19th century factory owner’s house and workers’ cottages, turn-of-the century summer resort hotel and early 20th century fire station. Buildings vary in size and include important Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Mansard, Queen Anne and Shingle Style examples characteristic of these styles. Architects were involved in the design of many of the post-Civil War buildings. Among their more unusual creations are a log bungalow in the Craftsman style and an all-concrete Classical Revival fire station–both unusual in style and use of materials. The period of significance spans from 1707 — the date of the earliest building, the Whitney Tavern–to 1950. The latter date marks the beginning of post-World War II development and also coincides with the 50-year cut-off which is customary for National Register listing.
Under Criterion A, the Kendal Green Historic District had a significant role in the development of Weston beginning in the early 1700s. The district extends along North Avenue, which was second only to Boston Post Road in historical importance and density of settlement. In the early days, North Avenue was known by other names, among them North Country Road, Concord Road, Lancaster Road, Lancaster Turnpike, Great Road, and “the road leading to Waltham.” The streetscape and buildings within the district reflect the gradual evolution of the Kendal Green area over two centuries from its rural, agrarian beginnings. The oldest building is a ca.1707 tavern built to serve travelers along North Avenue. Included within the district are important resources relating to two industries important in Weston history: the Hobbs Tannery, which prospered for over a century beginning about 1730 and spawned related businesses including shoe and bootmaking; and the Hook and Hastings Organ Factory, which moved here in 1889. The latter, a nationally-known company which manufactured music hall and church organs shipped all over the country, was for nearly half a century the largest industry in Weston. Although the factory itself has not survived, the district includes the owner’s house, stable and caretaker’s house and numerous workers’ cottages. The district also includes the former Drabbington Lodge, the only remaining hostelry from Weston’s period of popularity as a summer resort for Bostonians anxious for a respite from the city.
Under Criterion B, Kendal Green is associated with two men who made significant contributions to the history of the community, state or nation. General James F. B. Marshall was an Incorporator, Trustee and influential early administrator of the Hampton Institute of Virginia, a school founded after the Civil War for the education of black teachers. Upon his retirement to Weston in 1884, he remained active in many progressive causes on behalf of African Americans and Native Americans in the continental U.S. and Hawaii. Francis Henry Hastings was a partner and later sole owner of the prestigious Hook and Hastings Organ Factory. Under Hastings leadership, the company retained its preeminence after the death of the founding Hook brothers. When it closed in 1935, it was the oldest extant firm of pipe organ builders founded in the United States.1 After moving the factory from Roxbury to Weston in 1889, Hastings worked to create a “community of labor” with an atmosphere of mutual respect between employer and employee.
Under Criterion C , Kendal Green is a linear district extending along part of one of Weston’s earliest and most important transportation routes. It contains a rich and diverse collection of architecturally significant structures set within a 19th century rural landscape enhanced by mature trees and fieldstone walls. Included are a wide variety of building types, among them an early 18th century tavern, 19th century factory owner’s house and workers’ cottages, turn-of-the century summer resort hotel and early 20th century fire station. Buildings vary in size and include important Colonial, Georgian, Federal, Mansard, Queen Anne and Shingle Style examples characteristic of these styles. Architects were involved in the design of many of the post-Civil War buildings. Among their more unusual creations are a log bungalow in the Craftsman style and an all-concrete Classical Revival fire station–both unusual in style and use of materials. The period of significance spans from 1707 — the date of the earliest building, the Whitney Tavern–to 1950. The latter date marks the beginning of post-World War II development and also coincides with the 50-year cut-off which is customary for National Register listing.