Deacon Amos Blanchard, builder and first owner of the Andover Historical Society’s headquarters, was of the sixth generation of Blanchards to live in Andover. As a student at Phillips Academy, young Amos boarded with his uncle John, who owned a home on campus. When Amos inherited his uncle’s home, he, and by then wife Elizabeth (Jenkins), continued the practice of boarding students.
By 1818, however, Blanchard set his sights on an in-town location, perhaps more befitting his status as the sole employee of the new Andover Savings Bank. Lot No. 10 on Essex Turnpike (now 97 Main St.) caught his eye, and he purchased the property for $440 from the holder, South Parish. By the time the home was finished in 1819, Blanchard’s account book set the total expenditure for land, house, and barn at $4,100.
Additional records describe the house as “frame-built.” The house-raising was accompanied by the customary ceremony. Lumber came from Blanchard’s father’s farm in Wilton, N.H., brought in by ox team. Names of carpenters and other workmen were also recorded.
The property, itself, extended from Love Lane (today’s Locke Street) to the old Post Office building. Farming operations were carried on, as evidenced by the barn structure. Here we still see stanchions for cows and horse, a hay loft and space for farm wagons and carriage. Amos, his wife and their two sons again welcomed boarders, with the household numbering from nine to 17 people. To feed this brood, the Blanchards raised much of their own food. Chickens were kept in addition to the livestock in the barn.
Deacon Blanchard designed the main portion of his home in the Federal style: hipped roof, end chimneys, and long central halls. Stairways were flanked by two rooms on each floor. The dining room and kitchen were located in a wing extending behind one of the front rooms. While we do not know specifically what the front rooms were used for, we can surmise that one was a family sitting room and the other a formal parlor for entertaining guests. Upper rooms were probably all bedrooms, then known as chambers, for family and boarders.
The inside of the home began with no central heating, gas, electricity or running water. (Mrs. Blanchard, however, did enjoy the “convenience” of a spring-fed well in a room adjoining the kitchen. The well remains may still be viewed in the home’s basement.) Cooking was done over a wood fire in the kitchen. Heat in other rooms was present only if a fire was tended to. Lamps and candles were used for lighting. Water was carried upstairs for the morning wash-up, and baths were probably taken on Saturday evenings in the kitchen.
The original house has undergone several additions. The white fence and front vestibule – once enclosed – were added in 1937 in a style compatible with the 1819 house. By 1964, a verandah on the northwest side of the house had become the two-story extension now used as a meeting room and exhibition area. n 1977-78 another extension was added at the rear of the kitchen wing, for climate-controlled storage, library and work space. The barn, built originally for Blanchard by Captain Amos Holt, has remained basically unchanged.
The Blanchards lived in the original house until 1847 at which time the house was turned over to the eldest son, the Rev. Amos Blanchard. (Younger son Edward had died in 1834.) After a number of owners and resident curators, the Blanchard House was purchased by the Society in 1929.
“Andover Stories” is a weekly column about interesting local people and events, told in anticipation of the Andover Historical Society’s 100 anniversary in 2011.
News
Andover Stories: History of historical society's home
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Seniors eye less expensive, simple answers for Andover High prom
Andover High seniors Matt McIver, left, and Liam Centrella are dressing casually for their prom.
Three prom-going teen girls in their senior year at Andover High School are talking about their bargain shoes, not costly gowns, hair appointments and make-up.
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With eyes toward college expenses, adopting a more laid back approach to the prom is becoming the norm for seniors - but not necessarily juniors - attending the junior and senior prom at the school. -
Pink slip warnings for 66 teachers
More than 10 percent of Andover teachers have been given pink slips in the past week, as the town prepares for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
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A total of 66 pink slips, warning of possible future layoffs, went out to all of the school district's non-professional status teachers in preparation for an unknown number of layoffs at the end of the fiscal year. Non-professional status teachers are teachers with less than three years of full-time teaching experience in Andover. -
ClownTown coasts into Park this weekend
What could be better than a carnival, complete with rides, games and festival food, setting up shop at the Park on Bartlet Street for two days and nights?
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Well, all of the money raised by it benefiting area children and schools, of course! - Board: Five-story housing project too tall
- Water storage feature part of 40B plan
- Town ambulance rate jumps to $1074.12
- Probation hearing for sex offender
- Town Talk
- Dive into Krit Classic June 3
- Andover's last smokestack is drifting into history
- Construction begins on disabled soldier's home
- AYS Gold Rush fundraiser this weekend
- Scouts offer open house Saturday at camp site
- Andover Stories Continues: Amos Blanchard story, part I - building a trophy house
- Teachers contract: State law outlines process
- Andover firm recognized as a 'Best Place to Work'
- Cell phone store plans a 'family fun' grand opening hosts face painting, fun day
- Thursday, May 10, 2012
- Outsourcing of cemetery work fought
- Watch out, superficial culture. These girls plan to kick your butt
- No income cap on senior tax work-off program
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