Robinson-Lewis-G. F. Fessenden House
Why it's listed
Built around 1850 on the edge of a steep, wooded hill in northwest Arlington, this clapboard house is an Italianate farmhouse that still serves as a residence. Its five-bay rectangular plan is simple, but ornate bracketed window surrounds and a dentilated entrance porch on square posts with beveled edges give it a fashionable look. Later changes include the side chimney, an extended single-story porch across the side ell, and a roof extension over the side entrance added in 1935. It is one of two early farmhouses that predate the subdivision of Crescent Hill in about 1870-1890, and it recalls a time when this rocky slope was farmed with limited success. The Lewis family owned it for much of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, working in wood-turning and later the milk business. Original ownership is attributed to T.S.G. Robinson. The house was listed for its well-preserved Italianate character and its integrity of design, materials and setting.
Significance in brief: The form argues the house is a well-preserved example of the Italianate style, and probably the most fashionable of the early farmhouses that predate the Crescent Hill subdivision. It is one of two (possibly three) such farmhouses and reflects a period when this steep, rocky part of northwest Arlington was farmed. It meets Criterion C and retains integrity.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85001045, listed April 18, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 40 Westminster Ave., Arlington |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | April 18, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001045 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Italianate (altered) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is as a residence; described as well preserved, with porch alterations from ca. 1895-1910 and a roof extension over the side entrance in 1935. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.42722, -71.18437 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85001045.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7352968
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.