Cooper-Davenport Tavern
I purchased and renovated this delightful two-family property between 2002 and 2003. It's a rare, surviving example of urban, domestic Federal architecture. I thought that it was a really delightful future home, though neglected. My renovation work received design and preservation awards from the City of Somerville and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
What makes it "historic"? The structure is associated with the American Revolution and it's architectural style is rare in Cambridge and Somerville. It was designed and constructed as an addition to Cooper's Tavern in 1808; the original tavern existed during the Revolutionary War. The Cooper's Tavern was demolished in the 1870's and this "modern" structure was moved to its current site which straddles the town line between Cambridge and Somerville.
What's so special about Federal architecture? An article in Wikipedia describes the style well: American Federal architecture typically uses plain surfaces with attenuated detail, usually isolated in panels, tablets, and friezes. It also had a flatter, smoother fa?ade and rarely used pilasters. It was most influenced by the interpretation of ancient Roman architecture, fashionable after the unearthing of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The bald eagle was a common symbol used in this style, with the ellipse a frequent architectural motif. Federal Architecture
How did history influence the renovation? Working with the folks at the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, I replaced windows and doors with wood ones appropriate to the period. I had a damaged chimney rebuilt and wooden gutters replaced, too. I redesigned the site to create a terrace in front of the house rather than a suburban planting bed so that the wall of the front facade was emphasized. Walkways and vehicular drives were paved with a combination of traditional bluestone and pea stone. A painted wooden "infinity" fence was installed to enclose the yard and a hedge was installed to soften the presence of the house from the street.