Emerson House
Why it's listed
Located at 58 Ayers Village Road in the rural northeast corner of Methuen, near the New Hampshire border, this 1½-story cottage dates to about 1750. It is a vernacular building with a narrow central entry that has Georgian detailing, lit by a four-paned transom and flanked by small windows. The window openings are probably original, though the sash was replaced in the late 19th century. The clapboard walls, steeply pitched roof and granite foundation remain, and a 20th century porch was added on the east side. A 2½-story Greek Revival barn stands on the property. The house is one of only a few 1½-story dwellings still standing in Methuen. It was listed for its architecture and for its link to the town's 18th and 19th century farming history. The property keeps part of the original rural landscape and retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship. It is still used as a private residence.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a well-preserved 18th-century dwelling near the Haverhill line. It is tied to Methuen's 18th and 19th century agricultural history and preserves part of the original rural landscape. It is also one of few 1½-story dwellings left in Methuen, and it retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship.
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 84002351, listed January 20, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 58 Ayers Village Rd., Methuen |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | January 20, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002351 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Vernacular (with Georgian entry) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a private residence, with a late 19th century window sash replacement and a 20th century east side porch. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.70771, -71.17148 (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 84002351.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5370894
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.