Historic Structures
The Philemon Wright-Asa Locke Farm possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. The property is historically significant for its associations with two prominent Woburn (later Winchester) families, each of whom occupied the property for over 170 years. The buildings are significant architecturally as the sole surviving complex of farm buildings in Winchester and as one of the few intact early 19th century farms in the Boston area.
The main farmhouse was built in 1828 by Asa Locke. Its conservative Federal Period design is typical of farmhouses found throughout New England in the early 19th century. The building underwent some sensitively rendered Colonial Revival modifications ca. 1910 which are described below. The house stands 2 ½ stories high and is surmounted by a medium-pitched gable roof covered with asphalt shingles. Two interior chimneys rise from the roof ridge. The three pedimented dormers, as well as the deep eave returns date from the ca. 1910 remodeling. Exterior walls are clad in five-inch wide butt end clapboards. Fenestration is regular and consists of six over six sashes framed with simple molded surrounds.
The five bay façade (southeast elevation) is distinguished by a central entrance consisting of a six-panel door flanked by ¾ sidelights and surmounted by an elliptical leaded fanlight. A Colonial Revival portico supported by flared, square posts is a ca. 1910 addition. The east and west elevations were originally identical. During much of the 19th century, however, two-story ells projected from each. Both were removed ca. 1910. At that time, a one-story porch with a shed roof and flared square posts was built onto the east elevation. Projecting from the west elevation is an early 20th century shallow two-story rectangular bay window. The north elevation (rear) has a two-story pitched roof ell with deep eave returns added between 1900 and 1929. A pedimented portico, a smaller version of the one at the façade entrance, extends from the gable end. Fenestration is six over six. A later triple window on the first floor follows the proportions and sash of the original.
The interior of the house is designed around a central hall plan. Rooms are finished with Federalist, Greek Revival and later Colonial Revival trim. Most of the doors, sashes and second floor mantels are original, though interior window shutters have been removed. The southeast room on the first floor (parlor) is handsomely finished with wainscoting and a black marble Greek Revival mantel. Remaining first floor rooms have elaborate oak Colonial Revival mantels installed during the ca. 1910 remodeling.
In the cellar, each chimney terminates in two high arches. The unusual height of the cellar, almost nine feet, points to its probable use as storage for produce. Evidence remains in the southwest corner of the foundation of an earlier structure measuring approximately 16’ x 24’, which was built by the Wright family in the 18th century.
A frame barn erected in 1827 stands to the west of the farmhouse. The 70’ x 40’ x 30’ structure is sheathed in clapboards. Ramps lead to vertically-planked double doors located in each gable end. Small six over six windows provide light. A hip roof cupola with louvered windows and an equestrian weather vane caps the asphalt roof. The interior has stalls for six horses and two cows. Much of the framing is hand-hewn.
An ice house measuring 17’ x 19’ x 15’ and constructed ca. 1900 is tucked against the north side of the barn. Its double walls are insulated with sawdust; the exterior walls are sheathed in clapboards. A small door and louvered window pierce each gable end.
The Squash House, a frame structure sheathed in clapboards, stands in a westerly direction from the barn. Constructed ca. 1915, the barn was designed for long term storage of produce. Access to the 70’ x 27’ x 30’ building is gained through one of three sliding doors on the south elevation. Above the doors and remaining elevations, the exterior walls are pierced with numerous six over six windows. Interior walls are finished with horizontal boardings. The entire second floor is outfitted with tiers of full-height shelves used to store the Blue Hubbard squash (link) grown on the farm. The still-intact central heating system, required to maintain the proper temperature for long-term storage, is original to the building.
Other buildings on the property include a late 19th century wagon shed, a small frame early 20th century garage (soon to become the headquarters of the U-Pick raspberry operation), and a shed. A 1 ½ story frame house of traditional design built in 1967 is slated for demolition. A few yards north of the northern property boundary lies the Locke family tomb, a granite structure built into the hillside and now surrounded by woods.
Sited on Ridge Street in front of the farm house is a bronze plaque, describing in both English and French, the departure of Philemon Wright and his family from the farm in 1800, their winter journey to Canada, and the establishment of a new settlement on the Ottawa River in an area now encompassed by the National Capital Region of Canada. The plaque, the largest free-standing one ever cast in North America, was a gift of the Canadian Government to the Town of Winchester. The idea for the plaque originated with Bertha Hamilton, the last owner of the farm before its sale to the Town of Winchester, and came to fruition through her efforts. It was unveiled on June 18, 1980. Philemon Wright’s journey and role in the colonization of Canada is also commemorated with a statue and plaque in the Hull sector of the National Capital region.
An irrigation system served the buildings and crops. Water was pumped from the well, which was located near the wagon shed, to a reservoir on top of the hill. From there, it flowed through underground pipes into the buildings and fields. A pitched roof covers the reservoir. Though no longer in use, the pipes are still intact.