Winchester Historical Commission

08/12/2025

At its June meeting the School Committee voted to pursue demolition of the Sandborn House Carriage House. The property is listed on both state and federal inventories of historic places and the permit application is reviewable under the town's Preservation of Historically Significant Buildings bylaw. A public hearing will be held this evening at 7:30 in the Wi******er Room.
Concerned residents are encouraged to attend.

The property has been the focus of preservation efforts for decades. Former Chair LeMenager provided this background in 2016:

“The historic carriage house at the Sanborn Estate has long been under the aegis of the school district due to its proximity to the campus. The 100-year-plus structure is in such a state of disrepair that some in town had lately been arguing for its demolition…

The house and its adjacent carriage house were built in 1907 as a country estate for Oren Sanborn, scion of the Chase & Sanborn coffee fortune. The house and outbuilding were designed in the Beaux-Arts style by the Boston architectural firm of Hill and James. This firm designed one other house in Wi******er in the same style at 4 Swan Road.

The Town purchased the Sanborn Estate in 1969, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 in recognition of its architectural significance. In 2004, the Town and the Historical Society received a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the reuse of the Sanborn House and Grounds.” [Read the full article here: https://patch.com/massachusetts/winchester/winchester-s-carriage-house-at-sanborn-can-be-saved]

Jack LeMenager of the Wi******er Historical Commission believes that the Carriage House can be saved.

03/04/2024

The current owners of 6 Reservoir Street have applied for a permit to demolish this property constructed around 1900. The permit is eligible for review and a public hearing will be held tomorrow night at the Commission's regularly scheduled meeting at 7:30 pm in the Mystic Valley Room. As always, members of the public, especially neighbors are encouraged to attend.

11/07/2023

This beautiful, historic Federalist style house in Groton was built in 1791. It will be demolished in November 2024 -- when a demolition delay expires -- unless someone is interested in moving it. Please read:

170 Old Ayer Rd is a 5x3 bay, pyramidal hipped, Federal style house of 2 stories built on a nearly square plan with an enclosed shed porch attached to the first

04/27/2023

The current owners of 63 Oxford Street, the Edwin Percy & Eleanor Boyd Hall House, have applied for a permit to demolish this Tudor Revival home designed by Jerome Bailey Foster and built by Alfred Elliott in 1936. The property is listed on the state's inventory of historic properties.The permit application is reviewable under the town's Preservation of Historically Significant Buildings bylaw and a public hearing will be held on May 9th at 7:30 pm during the Wi******er Historical Commission's regularly scheduled meeting at Town Hall. As always concerned neighbors are encouraged to attend.

Research about the property is available here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w32MVojpwXS32fCfr22Vwg55qAqHiNDN/view?usp=sharing

Our mission is to preserve, protect, and develop Wi******er's historical and archeological assets for

10/01/2022

A survey of the Symmes Corner neighborhood, one of the oldest in town and home to this beauty, is finished-- thanks to a matching grant from the Massachusetts Historical Society. It's available on our website: https://www.winchester.us/331/Historical-Commission Check it out!

07/08/2022

The owner of 48 Oak Street has applied for a permit to demolish the house, constructed in approximately 1880. Demolition is reviewable by the Commission and a hearing will be held on Monday, July 11th at 7:30 pm in the Mystic Valley Room. As always, members of the public -- particularly neighbors -- are encouraged to attend. To learn more about the history of the property, you may read the Mass Historical "Form B" prepared for the town here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cQrcX8pkqVLxNJXzb0fyYBiQnkEuVOUR/view?usp=sharing

10/07/2021

Harvard Street, located in Wi******er's North End is currently the subject of intensive research and documentation of historic buildings jointly funded by the Town and the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Known as Wi******er Park, a planned residential subdivision dating to the 1890s lines both sides of Harvard and Irving streets between Washington Street and the MBTA railroad right-of-way.

Research has revealed that these blocks were home to Wi******er’s African American community during the early 20th century. This piece describes research conducted to date and efforts to preserve the neighborhood.

08/21/2021

The new owners of 53 Wildwood have applied for a permit to demolish the house constructed in 1896. The permit is reviewable under the town's Preservation of Historically Significant Buildings bylaw. The Commission will hold a hearing concerning the property at its next regularly scheduled meeting on 9/13. Due to renewed Covid restrictions, the meeting will be held via Zoom login information follows. Concerned residents, particularly neighbors are encouraged to attend.


Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85414302533?pwd=cUVTcGZDcmR1KzlnaEoxK09VQXQ2UT09
Meeting ID: 854 1430 2533

08/19/2021

The owners of 44 Clark Street have applied for a permit to demolish the house constructed in 1890. Demolition is reviewable by the Commission and a hearing will be held on September 13th at the Town Hall at 8:00 pm. As always, members of the public -- particularly neighbors -- are encouraged to attend.

08/16/2021

The owners of 40 Foxcroft Road have applied for a permit to demolish the house and garage constructed in 1935. Demolition is reviewable by the Commission and a hearing will be held on September 13th at the Town Hall at 7:35 pm. The public is encouraged to attend.

07/30/2021

Great article about the home of Amaza Lee Meredith, one of the earliest Black female architects in the United States.

A paint donation from the National Trust and Benjamin Moore helps spotlight the inspiring legacy of Amaza Lee Meredith.

07/16/2021

The owners of 14 Fenwick Road have applied for a permit to demolish the property constructed in approximately 1900. Issuance of that permit is reviewable under Chapter 14 of the town's bylaws -- Preservation of Historically Significant Buildings. A hearing will be held at the Commission's July 26th meeting which will be held at Town Hall and begin at 7:30 p.m. The public, especially neighbors are encouraged to attend.