Parson Barnard House
Name of Building
Parson Barnard House
Town or City, Country where the building was originally established
New England, Connecticut
Date the building was designed and/or first built
late 17th and early 18th century.
Name of Architect, Builder, or Primary Patron Responsible
Patron: Queen Anne (1665-1714)
Culturally Specific Time Period
American colonial period
Geo-Location
Latitude: 42.68926259108759,
Longitude: -71.11694087477946
Longitude: -71.11694087477946
Materials
Mostly Wood and Timber
Size and/or Scale of Building
18 feet wide by 42 feet long.
Architectural Type
Domestic
Formal Style
Saltbox
Building Description
The Parson Barnard House is a sturdy, symmetrical colonial structure made of weathered wood and framed with hand-hewn timber. Its steep gabled roof, covered in gray wooden shingles, reflects a practical design suited for New England winters. The front is balanced and orderly, with five evenly spaced windows—small-paned and framed with simple trim—and a central door framed by plain pilasters and a transom. A large brick chimney rises from the center of the roof, marking the heart of the home.
The house rests low to the ground, with an ell extending from the back, suggesting later additions. The overall feel is modest and functional, with little ornamentation. It sits quietly in its surroundings, bordered by simple shrubs and a stone path, embodying the practical elegance of early American life.
The house rests low to the ground, with an ell extending from the back, suggesting later additions. The overall feel is modest and functional, with little ornamentation. It sits quietly in its surroundings, bordered by simple shrubs and a stone path, embodying the practical elegance of early American life.
Image source
Image 1:https://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/GOyucsLWP9FH7R5RSvocy/e3e998e61f9ff05c549a7429f0025404/Sunny_Saltbox_Norwich_Connecticut__1670.jpg
Creative Commons or other copyright information
Image 1: Creative Commons
Student First and Last Name
Justin Forster
In Process Notes on the building history and notable architectural details
Building History - The Parson Barnard House was built in 1715 for Reverend Thomas Barnard, the town’s minister in North Andover, Massachusetts. It served not only as his residence but also as a place for religious study and community gatherings. Over the centuries, the house remained a private home before being preserved as a historic site, offering a rare glimpse into early 18th-century colonial life in New England.
Notable Architectural Detail - One notable architectural feature is the large central chimney, a hallmark of First Period colonial design. This massive brick structure anchors the house both visually and functionally, originally serving multiple fireplaces throughout the home. Its placement in the center reflects the importance of the hearth for heating and cooking, and it showcases the practical, centralized planning typical of early colonial architecture.
Notable Architectural Detail - One notable architectural feature is the large central chimney, a hallmark of First Period colonial design. This massive brick structure anchors the house both visually and functionally, originally serving multiple fireplaces throughout the home. Its placement in the center reflects the importance of the hearth for heating and cooking, and it showcases the practical, centralized planning typical of early colonial architecture.
Collection
Citation
Patron: Queen Anne (1665-1714), “Parson Barnard House,” World Architecture, accessed June 28, 2026, https://worldarchitecture.artinterp2.org/items/show/11.
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