Gray, David, House
Why it's listed
Set on a large lot at 232 Salem Street in Andover, this clapboard farmhouse is thought to have been built around 1812 by David Gray, a farmer who lived from 1762 to 1844. It rises two and a half stories under a gable roof, with a center chimney, large multi-pane windows, a pedimented center entry vestibule with fluted pilasters, and a side wing with a pedimented doorway. The style is described as Georgian-Federal. The house sits on land that has belonged to the Gray family since 1699, when Robert Gray bought it from Nicholas Holt. The farm was known in the 18th century for its blacksmith shop and grist mill, and Gray's youngest son Henry later added a cider mill and a saw mill. The farm stayed in the family until the 1930s. The property was listed for its long family association, its place in Andover's farming economy, and its sound, well-proportioned design.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its long association with the Gray family and for its role in Andover's agricultural economy. It is judged to meet Criteria A and C and to retain 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 82004823, listed June 10, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 232 Salem St., Andover |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | June 10, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004823 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | David Gray (farmer, 1762-1844), thought to have built it |
| Architectural style | Georgian-Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential; a barn is listed as an outbuilding. |
| Acreage | 1.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.63561, -70.55586 (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 82004823.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5234337
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.