Manning Manse
The Manning Manse is a historic house at 56 Chelmsford Road in North Billerica, Massachusetts. Built about 1696 by Samuel Manning, it is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Billerica and one of only two 17th‑century houses left in the town. The property sits on about 4 acres near the Warren H. Manning State Forest.
The house now has an L shape: the original main block is on the east, with modern additions to the west. It is a 2 1/2‑story wooden structure with a gabled roof, a central chimney, and clapboard siding. The north side roof slopes down to the first floor, giving it a saltbox appearance.
In its early years the Manning family ran a tavern in the leanto section from about 1752 to 1800. Later, William Manning, a Revolutionary War veteran who wrote The Key of Liberty in 1798, lived here with his family. The Manning descendants occupied the house until 1880, after which a trusteeship managed the property.
In 1899, landscape architect Warren H. Manning, who had restored the house, purchased the surrounding land to create Manning State Forest and used the house as his summer home. A family association later took over the property, leasing it to various restaurant operators. The building was badly damaged by a fire in 1994 but was rebuilt.
The Manning Manse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 11, 1982, recognized for its age, its connection to the Manning family, and its early preservation history.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 11:30 (CET).