Around 1808-9, mason James Nichols built a brick Federal residence at 10 Chestnut Street in Salem for Nathan Robinson, a merchant. He lived there until the 1830s, after which other families owned the house. From 1890 to 1939, it was home to Philip Little, an artist who was a friend and neighbor to the American Impressionist painter, Frank W. Benson. The house’s Greek Revival entrance was added around 1855.