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Most Endangered Historic Resource:
The Samuel Pope House, c.1740, 69 Boston St. (Listed 2003)
Current Status:
Saved
2007
Samuel Pope, a blacksmith and member of the Quaker community that settled
in this area of Salem, had this fine Georgian style home built circa
1740. One of the few pre-revolutionary residences remaining on Boston
Street, the Samuel Pope House is also a rare survival of Salem’s
early Quaker community. While unfortunately stripped of most of its
exterior and interior detail, the two and one-half story home still
presents an appearance typical of the Georgian style including a traditional
4 X 2 bay façade with second story windows flush with the roofline
and a massive interior chimney.
Historic Salem has worked with the Gallows Hill/Ward 4 Neighborhood
Group, neighbors and abutters since the spring of 2003 to save this
property. At that time, the neighborhood group, supported by Historic
Salem, Inc. opposed the owner’s request for a variance to demolish
this property and build a 6-unit dwelling. The proposal was subsequently
withdrawn.
A new then owner purchased the property. He removed much of the historic
fabric of the 1740’s building, and then subsequently recognized
the need to preserve and protect the building. The Gallows Hill/Ward
4 neighborhood group supported a request for a variance for an additional
condominium building in the rear of the property, on the condition that
Historic Salem was allowed to protect the Pope House and ensure its
future. The owner committed to make a gift of the house to Historic
Salem.
In 2005, Historic Salem, with participation of Gallows Hill/Ward 4 Neighborhood
Group members, conducted a selection and bid process for restoration
of the house. Proposals were evaluated based on the qualifications of
the buyer to renovate and restore the property and the buyer’s
ability to meet Historic Salem’s requirements for the restoration
of the exterior. Historic Salem, in concert with members of the Gallows
Hill/Ward 4 Neighborhood Group, selected Raymond Young, a Salem resident
with experience in the renovation of historic buildings as the redeveloper.
The Samuel Pope House was transferred to Historic Salem in March 2006.
Historic Salem immediately transferred the property to Raymond Young.
Mr. Young has since restored the exterior of the building. The renovation
of the interior as a 2 family residential dwelling will be completed
in the spring of 2007. All work has been done in accordance with specifications
defined by Historic Salem. A Preservation Restriction held by Historic
Salem will protect the completed project.
The restored Pope House now stands as a proud contributing member to
Salem’s historic Boston Street.
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