Meriam House, Minute Man National Historic Park in Concord, Massachusetts: Historic Structure Report

Yocum, Barbara

The report that follows is divided into six chapters. Chapter I is the “administrative data” section, which documents the significance of the house, National Park Service involvement, and proposed use and treatment. Chapter II is an “architectural history” that describes the evolution of the house and its site, from its original construction circa 1705 to the present time. Also described is an earlier Meriam house that is believed to have been located nearby on Lexington Road, which was also standing on April 19, 1775. Chapter III is an architectural description of the existing Meriam House, its outbuildings, and other buildings on the former Meriam farm. Chapter IV provides recommendations for the future treatment of the house. Chapter V contains the appendices, including a survey of existing maintenance conditions and recommendations for repairs. Chapter VI is a bibliography of sources. This is a “Level I” historic structure report. A Level I investigation is defined as follows: Exhaustive investigation of a structure or landscape through archeological, historical, or architectural means for the purpose of restoration or reconstruction. Such investigations shall be as complete as possible for uncovering all available details. This may entail the removal of certain portions of fabric and excavation.1 Archival research of primary documents commenced in March 1993, and was accomplished by studying historic photographs, town records, tax assessment records, property deeds, population census records, probate records, and maps. In addition, several publications on the history of Concord were consulted, as were writings on the genealogy of the Meriam family.

Meriam House, Minute Man National Historic Park in Concord, Massachusetts: Historic Structure Report

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