Manning House
Why it's listed
Built around 1760 for Hezekiah Ballard, a farmer and later tavernkeeper, this Georgian house at 37 Porter Road in Andover is a long, narrow, 2½-story clapboard building with a gambrel roof, center chimney and five-bay facade. Its most unusual feature is the gambrel roof, which is uncommon in Andover and one of only two known from the period. The simple, unembellished facade keeps its original window sash, and two-story ells at the rear are original. In 1771 Ballard sold the homestead to Thomas Manning, a cordwainer who kept a small shop on the property. The house stayed in the Manning family through generations of farmers and shoemakers, including a son who became a clergyman after attending Andover Theological Seminary. Two small side porches were added in the 20th century, and a cottage stands as an outbuilding. The house was listed for its architecture and its link to the Manning family, and it retains integrity of design, materials, workmanship and setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its gambrel roof, which is uncommon in Andover and one of only two known from this period. It is also significant for its association with the Manning family, who were farmers, shoemakers and a minister. It is said 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 82004817, listed June 10, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 37 Porter Rd., Andover |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | June 10, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004817 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Residential use; the form says the house has remained in the Manning family and descendants continue to occupy it. |
| Acreage | 1.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.63900, -71.13835 (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 82004817.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6750866
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.