Tessa Carla Blog's: A Cool Cornucopia: 10 Authentic American Farmhouses Built Before 1900

As with many architectural styles in the United States, its farmhouse architecture originated in Europe. These were simple homes built on farmland to house the people who owned or worked the land.

As the farmhouse made its way to the farmlands of the colonies in the 1700s, it took on distinctive elements, including:

Rural location: Farmhouses are located on agricultural land and were designed to accommodate a farming lifestyle.
Porches: A transitional space in a farmhouse, the porch is a place to rest and seek refuge from the sun and a place for leaving muddy boots and shoes outside.
Formal and informal spaces, in distinctive areas. The front of the house served as the formal area for receiving guests, and the kitchen, as well as the staircase to the bedrooms, were housed in the back, out of the view of guests.
Natural wood accents: An abundance of wood has always defined the American farmhouse. Paneled wood walls, wide-plank floors, and exposed wood beams are all classic elements.

After establishing these basic characteristics of a farmhouse, we picked through the most recent crop of home listings across the country to find a few authentic farmhouses up for sale. We limited our search to farmhouses built prior to 1900, to harvest only the most authentic structures.

Whether you dream of owning a piece of American history or just love the classic farmhouse look, here are 10 pre-1900 farmhouses to consider for your next home.

499 Governor Wentworth Hwy, Tuftonboro, NH

Price: $629,500

This 1869 farmhouse is a landmark in the town of Melvin Village, and a true New England dream. The town has changed little over the past century, and there’s virtually no commercial activity. It’s like stepping back in time! In a good way.

Located within walking distance of Melvin’s Town Beach and Wharf, this Greek Revival farmhouse sits on close to 4 acres and has been owned and maintained by the same family for the past 38 years.

Although there are modern upgrades inside, plenty of pre-1900 patina remains throughout, including wide-plank floors, baseboards, and trim.

The attached barn has extra living and entertaining space, and a separate, detached three-story barn includes a large woodworking shop.

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617 Main Rd, Monterey, MA

Price: $499,000

Built in 1850, this renovated farmhouse has had a modern facelift, while maintaining many of its pre-1900 characteristics. It is full of wonderful woodwork, such as wainscoting, wide baseboard trim, and door casings, as well as exposed wood beams and brick.

The attached original barn has been renovated into a family room, with a master bedroom on the second floor. The home features a classic English garden with mature perennial gardens, specimen plantings, and stone walls.

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3430 Quartz Creek Rd, Merlin, OR

Price: $619,900

This circa 1886 Southern Oregon farmhouse was designed by the Chicago architect John C. Cochrane. The home is surrounded by 12-plus acres of mature fruit trees, abundant flowering shrubs, grapevines, and access to a year-round creek.

It retains many well-maintained antique features including an ornate, nickel-plated wood cookstove, a clawfoot tub, original built-in cabinetry, a soapstone wood stove, a brick fireplace, and beaded board walls and ceiling.

If you are looking for a piece of history and room to stretch out, this place won’t disappoint.

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285 Wallace Gap Ln, Madison, VA

Price: $2,950,000

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, this beautiful 400-acre country estate is a turnkey opportunity with all furnishings and farm equipment included.

The home, built in 1899, has all the lovely details of a classic 19th-century farmhouse, including wood trim, stone fireplace, bead board walls, and porch. Meanwhile, it also has plenty of modern upgrades.

The land is divided into five to six large hayfields, and pastures with water access, and is fully fenced. There’s also a 3-acre lake and a large workshop with equipment storage.

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209 Leominster Rd, Lunenburg, MA

Price: $379,900

This antique Massachusetts farmhouse was originally built in 1841. It has maintained many of its historical details, including the wide-plank flooring, hand-hewn beams, and exposed brick fireplace.

The home sits on a 1.3-acre wooded and landscaped lot, with plenty of gorgeous perennial flower gardens.

There’s a four-season porch with a skylight and a wood stove that leads out to the patio, a fenced yard, and an in-ground pool. Don’t worry—there’s a barn too! It comes with a silo and workshop.

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40 Fern Dr, Boyertown, PA

Price: $370,000

Stone farmhouses are rare and wonderful finds. This stone structure from 1850 has been fully restored to its original glory.

With classic farmhouse details such as wide-plank floors, wood-beam ceilings, and wood stoves, the home is stuffed with intriguing details.

The eat-in kitchen features a built-in tin punch cabinet that conceals the refrigerator and other cabinetry, handcrafted by Oley Valley Reproductions to match the style of the home.

Despite the antique charm, it’s rounded out with plenty of modern conveniences, including an in-ground pool and a studio cottage.

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609 Wise Ferry Rd, Lexington, SC

Price: $795,000

This over 5,000-square-foot home sits on nearly 10 acres. Built in 1855, it’s full of the charm of a bygone era, including heart-pine flooring, exposed brick, and gorgeous molding.

The home has been thoughtfully renovated to include modern conveniences, while retaining the historical integrity of the home.

The property features plenty of amenities for a working farm, including an oversized workshop and several original barns.

It’s close to the downtown historic district in Lexington—but still just far enough away to feel secluded.

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233 Greely Rd, Cumberland, ME

Price: $650,000

It’s hard to believe that this farmhouse was originally built in 1800! It’s nestled among the rolling hills of Cumberland.

Although it has been upgraded for modern living, it still displays much of its original historic appeal.

The home features wainscoting, elegant French doors, large windows, exposed brick, wood stoves, and wide-plank flooring. This is all tastefully integrated with stainless-steel appliances, modern tiled baths, and custom cabinetry.

If you are looking for a quintessential New England farmhouse with modern upgrades, this might be the place.

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7095 Esmont Rd, Esmont, VA

Price: $815,000

There’s nothing quite like a historic estate with its own name to make you feel like a part of history.

The circa 1892 farmhouse is dubbed “Hathaway,” and it’s a distinctive, classic farmhouse design, with large, spacious rooms with high ceilings.

Featuring a grand wraparound front porch with views of the Green Mountain range and plenty of towering oak trees, the home is a fine example of a Southern farmhouse.

The home is situated on over 23 acres and has nine fireplaces, antique pine flooring, pocket doors, and built-in bookshelves.

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384 Main St, Amagansett, NY

Price: $3,150,000

At first glance, this home looks like a typical New England farmhouse. Once through the Greek Revival doorway, though you’ll step into a meticulously restored home with a perfect balance of historic simplicity and modern conveniences.

Built in 1829, the Hamptons beauty features original wide-plank floors throughout, wood-beam ceilings, and moldings. It’s full of modern flair as well—a copper roof, central air, and a heated saltwater pool.