 The porches are shed-roofed, with a rounded arch housing the entrance and a flanking sash window.The porches are supported by clustered round columns, set on raised brick piers, with a brick connecting parapet in between.The Boardman was built by developer Walter Penniman in two stages on land subdivided from the estate of F. R. Blackinton in response to the demand for housing occasioned by the establishment of the normal school (now the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, located across the street).