A little on house history

When I walk around an old house, I usually start by looking for the oldest part. From walking around enough of them, for touristy fun as well as historic house research for work, I consider myself pretty good at it! Whenever my husband and I drive somewhere historic, I like to play a self-created (and considerably annoying for other passengers) game called “Within ten years.” I guess the building date of the house, and since Greg has way better vision than I do, he reads the date plaques to see if I was within ten years of the correct date. I am sure lots of people I know will be absolutely scrambling to go on a car ride with me soon!

Part of the fun of actually walking around and exploring an old house, is taking apart the sections that have been added over the years, in my head. Since 17th and 18th century houses tended to be expanded in predictable ways, I thought I would easily be able to mentally dismantle our 1664 house.

A bit of background on 17th and 18th century house expansion: Some of the first houses built were one or two room structures, which were built with heating in mind (hello New England winters)! I think this is how our house started out. Either a one room over one room house or a two over two.

Diagram of the Balch House changes over time in Beverly, MA. Click on the photo for more info from the Colonial Society, and a great article.