Adams-Magoun House, house in Somerville, Massachusetts
The Adams-Magoun House is a residential structure built around 1783 in Somerville, Massachusetts, retaining most of its original features from the federal period. The building displays a gable roof with five bays across its front, wooden clapboard siding, molded window frames, and a central entrance topped with pilasters and a rounded fanlight.
The house was built around 1783 by Joseph Adams, whose family owned extensive lands that later became part of Tufts University. After Adams, the Magoun family became owners, with John Magoun serving as town assessor and school committee member, contributing to Somerville's early development.
The house was the center of life for the Magoun family, who shaped the community for generations through their involvement in local institutions and social gatherings. John Magoun helped establish the First Unitarian Society and welcomed General Lafayette in 1825, showing how prominent families were woven into daily community life.
The house is located on Broadway in Somerville between Bartlett and Glenwood Road, easily visible from the street. Visitors can view the structure from the sidewalk and observe its exterior architectural details, including the gable roof and wooden siding.
The house was possibly built using wood from the Winter Hill Fort, a significant Revolutionary War site, connecting it to the region's military history. This link to local wartime efforts makes the building more than just an old structure, but a tangible piece of Somerville's Revolutionary past.
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