Blanchard-Upton House
Also known as: Thomas Blanchard House
Why it's listed
This farmhouse at 62 Osgood Street in Andover is a five-bay, central-chimney house with a center entrance and an integral rear lean-to that gives it the classic saltbox profile. It was built between 1699, when Thomas Blanchard acquired the land, and 1740, when his son Josiah inherited the farm. Blanchard was a cordwainer, and a grandson who was also a shoemaker built a shop nearby. The frame is quirk-beaded and exposed, with summer beams in the main first-floor rooms and tie beams above. Both large fireplaces have been restored, and one has a beehive oven. Feather-edged sheathing suggests a date around 1730, and the house is said to have the only room in Andover sheathed on all four walls. It was restored in the 1980s, with a modern rear ell added. The house survives on a remnant of its farmland, now surrounded by newer houses, and is valued as an excellent example of early 18th-century construction.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an outstanding, well-restored example of an early 18th-century First Period saltbox with an integral lean-to roof and plan. Its frame is quirk-beaded and exposed throughout. It is said to have the only room in Andover sheathed on all four walls.
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 90000192, listed March 9, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 62 Osgood St., Andover |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | March 9, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000192 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1699-1740 |
| Architectural style | First Period |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residence; condition is good; restored in the 1980s. It sits on remaining farmland amid 1980s subdivision construction. |
| Acreage | 8.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.63150, -71.18724 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 90000192.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4924794
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.