From Surveys Completed 2011-2012 by the Lenox Historical Commission

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:

This is a 2-story, 5-bay, center entrance, wood-framed house designed in the Colonial Revival style. It has a hipped roof with asphalt shingles, modillions on the eaves, dentil bands on the cornices throughout, and several dormers. Porches have standing seam metal roofing. There are six large brick chimneys. It is clad with wood clapboard and shingles with corner pilasters. Fluted pilasters delineate the central entrance bay—a front gabled dormer is centered above, while a porte-cochere extends forward of it. The porte-cochere is supported by fluted Ionic columns and fluted pilasters. A 2-story, slightly recessed ell off the right side has gabled wings off its front and rear. A 2-story turret is nestled between it and the main section. It has a curved porch with three Doric columns that extends forward to be flush with the front facade. There is a double gabled dormer on the right side. The left facade has a Palladian window at mid-floor level (indicating a stair landing on the interior) that is flanked by two 1-story canted bay windows. Centered on the roof above is a hipped dormer. A glazed sunporch off the rear is topped by smaller gable-roofed second story room. Intact 6-o-6 windows have substantial molded headers and authentic wood window blinds. The foundation is stone. A circular driveway that runs in front of the house and under the porte-cochere is accessed from Yokun Avenue. An in-ground swimming pool is located behind and right of the house and garage. The property is heavily wooded with mature coniferous, deciduous and ornamental trees and shrubs, particularly along the property boundaries.

NOTE: This property was once part of Dr. R. C. Greenleaf Jr.’s estate per the 1876 Beers Map.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE:

The home named “Rocklawn” was built in 1886 by Mr. & Mrs. William Bacon as a summer residence.

The Chain of Title forward is as follows:

1922    Mr. & Mrs. George Higginsons Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Whipple.

1969    Mr. & Mrs. Desmond Tivy

1977    Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Skinner

1986    David Hurwitz and Carolyn Dubrofsky

1990    Eugene P. Nesbada

1996    Reid White

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES:

1876 Beers Map

Lenox Town Hall Records

Lenox: Massachusetts Shire Town, David Wood, p. 199