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
August 26, 2010
Andover Stories: History of historical society's home
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WEB UPDATE: Adams to challenge Finegold for senate
Paul Adams, state representative of the 17th Essex District which includes most of Andover, has announced that he will run against Barry Finegold, state senator to Andover and other surrounding communities, in this year's election.
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Town 'keeping an eye' on land
Hundreds of filled trash bags, some in piles six feet tall, lay on the front lawn of an Osgood Street property. Neighbors would like to see the town take action, but the health director says the piles do not represent a health hazard.
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High School considers controls on 'grinding' dance
Grinding, a sexually-evocative dance maneuver, is prominent enough at Andover High School dances that some parents are asking school officials to do something about it.
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On Monday, parents, high school administrators and students on the senior board gathered at the high school to discuss the issue at a meeting hosted by the high school's Parent Advisory Council. By the end of the evening, the conversation had gravitated to what seemed to be an underlying issue: alcohol consumption, and how severe a problem it is at Andover High School. - Annual Town Meeting: Town Yard decision, zoning changes face voters
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- LGH's new pediatric center opens
- Town Talk
- Three town safety officers honored for work
- Selectmen authorize virtual attendance
- Andover Stories: Temperance and the town
- Oxygen finds fresh locale across street
- Cornerstone Financial Resources opens High Street office
- Thursday, January 26, 2012
- Private lot offered for fire station
- On teacher contract talks, task force to study AHS schedule
- MJT members to raise curtain on new group
- Town Meeting issue: Resident says, pay workers in silver coins
- Pipe break closes downtown eateries
- Police Log Incidents of the Week
- Olde Andover Village Business as usual for some; TIP finds new home
- Andover company provides surface for Australian Open
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WEB UPDATE: Adams to challenge Finegold for senate
