20-22 Kirkwood Road

This two-family house was built in 1927 by Isaac Hann of Medford for M.J. Sheehy & O'Connor. There is no architect of record, suggesting the house is a loose copy of another house built around the same time. The most likely architect is Frederick Mahoney, who designed similar houses for Sheehy & O'Connor on Kirkwood Road during the same time period. The 2.5 story wood house rises 29 feet from a stone foundation to an asphalt shingled hip roof. The exterior walls were originally a brick veneer, but have been covered over with vinyl siding. The cost of construction was $10,000.

The 1925 Bromley Atlas shows Thomas Connolly et al as the owners of the empty lot where this house was built.

In 1929 a two-car garage was constructed of concrete block by M.J. Sheehy.

In 1930 this house was owned by Mary Fee, a 68-year old widow. Mary lived in 22 Kirkwood with her three daughters: 35-year old Louise, a music teacher; 32-year old Alice, a clerk in the Massachusetts State House; and 30-year old Frances, a clerk for the Boston School Committee. 20 Kirkwood was rented for $82.50 a month by Arthur Berk, a 29-year old physician. Arthur lived with his 29-year old wife Sybil (born in Alabama) and their two children: 3-year old Robert and infant Elaine. The building was valued at $20,000.

In 1934, the wall under the front porch began to deteriorate and was rebuilt.

By 1936 the house was owned by the Massachusetts Housing Association.

In 1936 the brick headers and sills around the windows and doors were replaced. Two balconies were added to improve the egress routes in case of fire.

By 1993 this house was owned by Nathan Chansky.

In 1993 the gutters were replaced and three new dormers were added.

In 1998 the house was re-roofed, and the original brick walls were covered with vinyl siding.