John Ballantine House

The John Ballantine House is a three-story residential building in Newark made of salmon-colored Philadelphia pressed brick with sandstone trim and a truncated hip roof. The structure preserves its original late 19th-century design with period furnishings throughout its interior rooms.

The house was built in 1884 for John Holme Ballantine, president of Ballantine Brewery and son of founder Peter Ballantine. The family was central to Newark's industrial growth during the late 19th century through their brewery business.

The dining room displays embossed panels that copy leather wall coverings from 16th-century Holland and England, made by the D.S. Hess Company. Visitors can see how wealthy families of the time decorated their homes with craftsmanship that imitated European styles.

The property is managed by the Newark Museum and open to visitors with guided tours through the preserved Victorian-era rooms. The location on Washington Street is easy to find and the museum provides information about visiting hours and entry details.

The museum maintains complete construction, decoration, and alteration records, providing a full written history of every change made to the building. This detailed documentation allows visitors to understand exactly how the house was modified and styled over time.