John Balch House, Colonial house in Beverly, Massachusetts.
The John Balch House is a colonial residence in Beverly featuring traditional wooden frame construction with exposed beams typical of 17th-century New England. The structure retains much of its original architecture and demonstrates the building techniques common to that era.
The house was built in 1679 for John Balch, whose family received the land through an early colonial land grant in the mid-1600s. This makes it one of the oldest surviving wooden structures from that settlement period.
The house contains period furnishings and everyday objects that show how people lived and worked in early colonial Massachusetts. These items help visitors understand the practical routines of domestic life in that era.
The property is open to visitors through guided tours led by knowledgeable staff members. It is best to check ahead for current hours, as access may vary depending on the season.
Tree-ring analysis of the timber frame confirmed the exact construction date and revealed that this is one of the oldest surviving wooden structures in North America. This scientific method provided precise dating information that helped verify the historical records.
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