Salem – Page 6 – Historic Buildings of Massachusetts

George Whitefield Martin House (1800)

by Dan/January 9, 2012/Federal, Houses, Salem

The house at 102 Federal Street in Salem was built in 1800 for George Whitefield Martin (1771-1810). A cabinetmaker, Martin was born in Marblehead and worked in Concord, New Hampshire from 1794 to 1796. In 1797, he married Sally Bullock and moved to Salem, acquiring land for his home and shop on Federal Street through his wife’s family. In more recent times, the house was converted into three condominiums. The house’s owners caused a stir in the neighborhood when they painted the house a reddish-orange color called “Clementine” (manufactured by California Paints), which contrasts with the more muted hues of neighboring houses on Federal Street. Although Clementine is a historic color developed by Historic New England and approved by the Salem Historical Commission, some neighbors sued the condo owners in 2003, complaining about the orange glow from the house! The house still retains the Clementine paint.

Howard-Downing House (1808)

by Dan/January 4, 2012/Federal, Greek Revival, Houses, Salem

The Howard-Downing House, at 8 Brown Street in Salem, was built about 1808 by Joseph Howard, a merchant born in 1780 who was engaged in the South American trade. The house’s Greek Revival doorway is a later addition. The building now houses condominiums.

Grace Church, Salem (1926)

by Dan/December 11, 2011/Churches, Gothic, Salem

In 1858, a group of parishioners from St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Salem established Grace Church, which would be constructed at 385 Essex Street later that year. The parishioners wanted to found a second Episcopal Church in Salem that would be closer to their homes in the western part of the city. By 1924, the original wooden Gothic building of Grace Church was deemed no longer adequate. It was structurally unsound–one could stand against the wall and shake the whole building. In 1926, a new church was built on the same site. Initial plans for a Georgian Revival structure were eventually changed and the completed church was designed by architect Philip Horton Smith in the Gothic Revival style. Three years later, the church was connected to an adjacent Federal-style residence, Burrell House, which is used as a parish house.

Burrill House (1806)

by Dan/December 10, 2011/Federal, Houses, Salem

Burrill House, on Essex Street in Salem, was built around 1806 as a residence. Known as the Ebenezer Smith House, it is unusual for its period in Salem in having brick end walls. In 1926, the house was acquired by the neighboring Grace Church for use as a parish house. Three years later, it was remodeled and physically connected to the church by architect Woldemar H. Ritter.

Dodge-Shreve House (1817)

by Dan/December 9, 2011December 9, 2011/Federal, Houses, Salem

One of Chestnut Street in Salem‘s most celebrated architectural achievements is the Dodge-Shreve House. Sometimes dated to 1817, but also to 1822-1825, the house, at 29 Chestnut Street, was built for merchant Pickering Dodge by master builder David Lord. It is similar in size and layout to the nearby Pickman-Shreve-Little House, but is a later example of the Federal-style with a greater variety of decorative details. The Dodge-Shreve House has been owned by the Phillips, Peirce, Allen, Cabot and Shreve families.

Ichabod Tucker House (1800)

by Dan/December 8, 2011/Greek Revival, Houses, Salem

Although the earliest part of the house dates to 1800 (making it the second residence to be built on the street), the Greek Revival facade of 28 Chestnut Street in Salem was constructed during a remodeling in 1846. The house was built for Ichabod Tucker, clerk of the courts of Salem, and was later occupied by the Cole and Wilson families.

Sprague-Peabody-Silsbee House (1807)

by Dan/December 7, 2011/Federal, Houses, Salem

Upper Essex Street in Salem’s most impressive three-story brick Federal-style house is the Sprague-Peabody-Silsbee House at 380 Essex Street. It was built about 1807 by Joseph Sprague, Jr.; was sold to Joseph Peabody in 1822 and occupied by his son Francis; and was owned by the Silsbee family from 1840 to 1901. The house, which has been enlarged and remodeled over the years, has interior carving attributed to Samuel McIntire.