The House of Seven Porches

A Storied Past

Nearly two centuries of Marietta's history

Built in 1835 by Diarca Howe Allen, a Dartmouth-educated professor and one of Marietta College's founding faculty, the House of Seven Porches stands as a testament to early American architecture and Marietta's rich heritage.

Allen had spent time teaching in Charleston, South Carolina, and admired the local architecture. He designed his Marietta home to resemble the refined Charleston style, incorporating hallmark Greek Revival elements on land he purchased for just $4.97.

Over the years, the house has been home to several prominent families, including the Buells (who owned it from 1860 to 1943) and the Kelsos (who stewarded it for another half-century). During the Kelso era, the house gained renewed life and its charming nickname "House of Seven Porches" took hold in popular use.

Jeane Wilson Kelso transformed the property into one of Marietta's first bed and breakfast inns, where she was known to serve tea by candlelight to her guests. Today, after a comprehensive restoration that carefully preserved its historic character while adding modern comforts, the House of Seven Porches continues to be one of Marietta's most beloved landmarks.

Distinctive Architecture

A unique blend of Northern foundations and Southern influences

Greek Revival Style

The house exemplifies early Greek Revival residential architecture with its balanced, symmetrical facade and Doric columns supporting the porches. The brick house, painted white in later years, is three stories tall and notably "one room deep," a layout that maximizes cross-breezes.

Southern Influence

Inspired by Charleston's elegant homes, the design incorporates features more common in Southern antebellum residences than in Ohio. The "one room deep" layout is a feature more common in Southern homes, allowing for better airflow in the days before air conditioning.

Seven Iconic Porches

The house's namesake features include four porches visible from the front (two side-by-side on the first floor and two on the second floor) and three spanning the rear of the house—one on each level. This abundance of porches was quite rare in Ohio and undoubtedly made the home a local landmark.

"Jib Doors"

The house features Southern-style "jib doors"—tall windows that can open into doorways leading onto the porches. This clever feature allowed homeowners to raise the window sash and swing open a panel beneath it, instantly converting a window into a doorway for better ventilation.

House Timeline

Journey through the years of this historic home

1835

Built by Professor Diarca Howe Allen, one of Marietta College's founding faculty. Allen was originally from New Hampshire, a Dartmouth graduate who briefly taught in Charleston, SC before helping establish Marietta College as Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy.

1840s

Allen sells the house after leaving Marietta College around 1838. The property is acquired by the Cram family.

1860-1943

Known as the "Buell House" during the family's 80+ years of ownership. The prominent Buell family purchased the home around 1860 and held it through the Civil War era and into the 20th century.

1943-1994

The Kelso family takes ownership and stewards the property for another half-century. Jeane Wilson Kelso transforms the home into one of Marietta's first bed and breakfast inns, cementing its nickname "House of Seven Porches" in popular use.

1990s-2010s

After the Kelso era ends with Jeane's passing in 1994, the house briefly struggles without a dedicated caretaker. By the early 2000s, it was in deteriorating condition.

2010s-2023

Charles and Joyce Ditchendorf purchase the home at what Joyce called "a tipping point" and embark on a comprehensive four-month restoration, preserving its historic character while adding modern amenities.

Present Day

The House of Seven Porches stands as a beautifully preserved private residence and cherished landmark in Marietta's architectural landscape, with new owners carrying on its legacy since 2023.

Stories & Folklore

Tales from nearly two centuries of history

The Wax Paper Slide

Because of its intriguing layout and large porches, the House of Seven Porches was a popular curiosity for local children. One Marietta native recalled a Girl Scout outing in which the troop visited the house in the 1970s: the sloping backyard featured an old metal slide built into the hill, and "they'd give you a piece of wax paper to take your turn sliding" down for extra speed.

This whimsical anecdote was confirmed by Jane Kelso Winter, who grew up in the house and noted the wax-paper trick was her mother's idea. It's stories like these—of multi-generational family fun and community connection—that make the house beloved in Marietta.

A Haven of Hospitality

The most enduring "spirits" in the House of Seven Porches are those of hospitality and community. During the Kelso era, the home was famous for warm welcomes. As a pioneering bed-and-breakfast, it hosted guests from around the country, and Jeane Kelso's gracious manner left a lasting impression.

Neighbors and visitors have long felt the house exudes a genial charm. Its very nickname nods to literature—possibly a playful twist on Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables (1851)—except in Marietta's version, the gables are replaced with porches.

The Great Restoration

By the time the Ditchendorfs acquired the house in the 2010s, it needed extensive work. Joyce Ditchendorf noted, "it was in pretty sad shape, but the bones were good. It was very sound... The walls are two feet thick, so it's very solid and square for its age."

The renovation team, led by the Ditchendorfs' son, removed the deteriorated rear porches entirely and rebuilt them, replicating the original design but with improved supports. They also converted the carriage house's upper level into additional bedrooms. Throughout the restoration, the guiding philosophy was true preservation—doing it "right," as Joyce emphasized.

Plan Your Visit

Experience this architectural treasure in person

Visiting Information

The House of Seven Porches is a private residence, but external viewing and photography are welcome from public sidewalks. The house is located at 331 Fifth Street in historic Marietta, Ohio.

For more information about Marietta's historic sites, please contact the Marietta Visitors Bureau.

Address: 331 Fifth Street, Marietta, Ohio

Nearby: Mound Cemetery, The Castle, Campus Martius Museum

Historical Significance: A historical marker stands near the property, erected by the Rotary Club of Marietta, commemorating the home's significance. The site is often included in local heritage tours and trolley tours of Marietta's historic neighborhoods.