Arden
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Arden is a Gothic Revival mansion at 276 North Main Street in Andover, built about 1845-47 for John Dove, a Scottish-born machinist who became a flax manufacturer and left a large fortune at his death in 1876. Local craftsman Jacob Chickering built it, and the Boston architect Theodore Voelkers may have designed it. The two-and-a-half-story house has flush boarding, lacy sawn bargeboards with finials, lancet gable windows, label moldings, a polygonal cupola, a columned veranda and a porte cochere. A Gothic greenhouse and barn remain from the original setting. After Dove's daughters died, the property was sold in 1891 to William Wood, founder of the American Woolen Company and planner of Shawsheen Village. The estate was listed for its association with the Dove and Wood manufacturing families, its standing as a notable Gothic Revival estate with intact outbuildings and landscape, and its connection to its designer and builder.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites the house's association with the Dove and Wood families, prominent textile manufacturers. It also treats the house as a major Gothic Revival estate with its outbuildings and landscaped setting intact. A further reason is its link to the architect Theodore Voelkers and the local builder Jacob Chickering. The form says the property retains integrity of design, materials, workmanship and setting.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82004812, listed June 10, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 276 N. Main St., Andover |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | June 10, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004812 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect possibly Theodore Voelkers of Boston; builder Jacob Chickering |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential; the form says the Wood family still owns and occupies the house. |
| Acreage | 1.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.66816, -71.14875 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82004812.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4787915
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.