Travel Back in Time: Parson Barnard House

For 200 years, many thought the Parson Barnard House was purchased by Bay Colony Governor Simon Bradstreet and wife Anne Bradstreet in the 1600s.

Simon was heavily involved in Massachusetts politics and served on many diplomatic missions. His wife, Anne, was America’s first published poet, creating historical work such as “Upon the Burning of Our House July 10, 1666," and “To My Dear and Loving Husband.”

Through extensive research, it was revealed that the Parson Barnard House did not belong to the Bradstreets. Studies discovered that the house was built in 1715, which means it was far too late for Simon and Anne to have resided there.

The previous year, Thomas Barnard purchased the land from Dudley Bradstreet, an Irish adventurer and secret government agent. Barnard was Andover’s third minister, who served as an assistant minister throughout the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. The house was then re-designated at the Parson Barnard House.

The North Andover Historical Society recalls headlines from local newspapers saying “Annie Evicted!” But in actuality, Barnard was the one who bought the land for £50 and built himself a home he could call his own.

The Parson Barnard House was added to the National Historic Register in 1974. Architectural historians take specific interest in the house because of its timber-frame construction and the fascinating change in architecture.

In Abbot Lowell Cummings’ Framed Houses of Massachusetts Bay, the historian describes the Parson Barnard House as a “progressive” model that demonstrates the transitional example of “juxtaposing traditional frame methods with a rich display of applied finished trim.”

Present day, viewers can see the restoration techniques that have been used to preserve the historical site over the years. The innovative techniques show the original construction of the building and wallpaper. The furnishings display what early life was like for occupants: Thomas Barnard (1715), John Barnard (1750), William Symmes (1780), and Simeon Putnam (1825).

The North Andover Historical Society currently owns the Parson Barnard House.

• Address: 179 Osgood St.
• Phone: 978-686-4035
• Web site:www.essexheritage.org/sites/north_andover_hist_soc.shtml
• Hours: May through October, Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m., first and third Saturdays of the month from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Admission: Adults $5, children 5–15 $2, seniors $3.