Alexander, Simeon, Jr. House
Also known as: Alexander--Kiablick House
Why it's listed
Built around 1780 on Millers Falls Road in Northfield, this five-bay, 2 1/2-story farmhouse with a rear ell was the seat of the Alexander family farm. Simeon Alexander Jr., a Revolutionary War lieutenant, bought the land from his father-in-law, Hezekiah Stratton, when he married in 1780. The family also ran a blacksmith shop on the property for about seventy years. The post-and-beam house keeps much of its original plan and finish work, including a dogleg staircase, paneling and wide plank floors. Its north parlor carries freehand wall paintings of birds, animals and swags, attributed to an itinerant painter who also decorated the nearby Stratton Tavern. The Alexanders owned the property until 1941, and the farm outbuildings were removed in the 1940s. The house is recognized locally as an exceptionally well preserved late Colonial and early Federal farmhouse, and for the rare painted decoration inside. The property also has high archaeological potential.
Significance in brief: The house is among the best preserved late Colonial to early Federal farmhouses in the Northfield Farms section of town and typifies housing built by prosperous Connecticut River Valley farmers. Its north parlor has freehand wall paintings attributed to an itinerant painter whose work appears elsewhere in the region. The property stayed in the Alexander family from construction until 1941.
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 91000598, listed May 28, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Millers Falls Rd. S of Pine Meadow Rd., Northfield |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | May 28, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000598 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | Ca. 1780-1941 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic/Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restoration is in progress to remove asphalt siding and expose the original clapboards; the house is a single-family dwelling, and the pastures are leased to neighboring farmers for grazing. |
| Acreage | 29 |
| Coordinates | 42.63927, -72.46764 (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 91000598.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7517561
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.