Nathaniel Bowditch House facts for kids
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Nathaniel Bowditch House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9 North St. Salem, Massachusetts |
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| Built | c. 1759–60 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000135 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 12, 1965 |
The Nathaniel Bowditch House is a famous old house in Salem, Massachusetts. It's also known as the Bowditch-Osgood House or the Curwen-Ward-Bowditch House. This house is a National Historic Landmark because of its important history. It was built around 1759–60.
The house is special because three important families from Salem's sea history lived there. It became a landmark in 1965. This was because of its connection to Nathaniel Bowditch (1773–1838). He is known as the founder of modern navigation. Bowditch lived in this house from 1811 to 1823. Today, the house is the main office for Historic Salem, Inc. This group saved the house from being torn down and helped restore it.
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Exploring the Bowditch House
The Bowditch House is important for both its design and its past. It is a 3+1⁄2-story house. It has wooden siding and is built in the Federal style. The house has five windows across the front and two rooms deep. It has a gently sloped hip roof.
Where the House Once Stood
The building was not always at 9 North Street. It used to be at 312 Essex Street. In the 1940s, it was moved to its current spot. This move saved it from being demolished. The city needed to widen the road, and the house was in the way.
Special Features of the House
The most beautiful part of the house is its main entrance. It is in the center of the front. The doorway is set back from the wall. It has side windows and a window above the door. Fluted (grooved) columns stand on each side of the door. These columns have fancy carvings at the top. They support a flat roof-like structure. The roof of the house has a special "Chinese balustrade" around it. This is a fence-like railing. It was added back during restoration because the house was known to have it before.
A Look at the House's Long History
For a long time, people thought the house was built around 1805. But in 2000, researchers found old papers. These papers belonged to Samuel Curwen. They showed that the house was likely built earlier, in 1759–60. Curwen's diary mentioned plans for a 2+1⁄2-story house. This house matched the Bowditch house's size. This suggests the third story and the Federal style might have been added later, around 1805.
The Curwen Family and Early Owners
The Curwen or Corwin family was very important in Salem. They were shipbuilders, merchants, and business people. Samuel Curwen built this house. He was a Loyalist. This meant he supported the British during the American Revolutionary War. He left the country when the war started. His property was taken while he was away.
Samuel Curwen had no children. So, he left the house to his nephew, Samuel Curwen Ward. A young Nathaniel Bowditch worked for Ward as a ship chandler. This job involved selling supplies to ships. Ward lost the house in 1800 because he couldn't pay his debts.
The Ward Family's Changes
A cousin, William Ward, bought the house after Samuel Curwen Ward lost it. William Ward was a captain of several merchant ships. He made changes to the house that gave it its current look. This included the "Chinese balustrade." This design showed his involvement in trade with China. The fancy wooden decorations from this time are thought to be the work of Samuel McIntire. He was a famous carver from Salem.
Nathaniel Bowditch's Time in the House
The Wards sold the house to Nathaniel Bowditch in 1811. By then, Bowditch had already published his famous book, New American Practical Navigator. This book was a huge improvement on an older British guide. The old guide had many mistakes. Bowditch's book gave up-to-date information. It included details on tides, currents, and star charts. It has been the basis for modern navigation guides ever since.
This house is one of only three houses in Salem where Bowditch lived that are still standing. The other two are his birthplace and another childhood home. The Bowditch family lived here until 1823. Then, they moved to Boston.
Later Owners and Preservation Efforts
After the Bowditches, Joseph B. F. Osgood owned the house. He was a well-known lawyer in Salem. He was also the city mayor during the American Civil War. His family owned the house from 1858 to 1911. After that, the house was divided into apartments. Many different owners lived there over the years.
The city of Salem planned to widen North Street. This plan threatened the Bowditch House and the nearby Corwin "Witch House". People who cared about history formed Historic Salem, Inc. (HSI). Their goal was to save these important buildings.
The Bowditch House was moved to its current location in 1944. The Witch House was moved a bit on its own property to make room for the wider road. People believe the original foundation of the Bowditch house might still be under the lawn of the Witch House. HSI restored the Witch House. However, the Bowditch House was taken over by the city in the 1960s for town offices. It was given back to HSI in 2000. Then, it received a full restoration.
The Nathaniel Bowditch House was named a National Historic Landmark in 1965. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
