Nathaniel Bowditch House, Salem
The Nathaniel Bowditch House, also known as the Bowditch-Osgood House and the Curwen-Ward-Bowditch House, stands as a testament to the maritime legacy of this historic city. This charming dwelling was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965. Its historical significance is attributed to its association with Nathaniel Bowditch (1773鈥�1838), the esteemed founder of modern navigation, who called this house home from 1811 to 1823.
The Nathaniel Bowditch House boasts remarkable Federal-style architecture, characterized by its three-and-a-half stories, clapboard exterior, and a hip roof with a low pitch. Its elegant entrance is a focal point, recessed from the fa莽ade in a paneled opening, flanked by sidelight windows and crowned with a transom window. Fluted pilasters with intricately carved capitals support a flat-roofed architrave. A "Chinese balustrade" encircles the roof, contributing to its timeless charm.
This house has a unique history, having been owned by three families pivotal to Salem's maritime history. Although long believed to have been constructed around 1805, research in 2000 unearthed evidence suggesting that it was built between 1759 and 1760. The Curwen (or Corwin) family, known for their roles as shipbuilders, merchants, and businessmen, originally owned the house. Samuel Curwen, the builder of this residence, was a Loyalist who left the country during the American Revolutionary War, leaving his estate vulnerable to plunder.
In 1811, the house changed hands, finding its way into the possession of Nathaniel Bowditch. By this time, Bowditch had already made a profound mark in the world of navigation through his publication, the "New American Practical Navigator." This work, a meticulous revision of a flawed British counterpart, provided essential data on tides, currents, and astronomical tables, serving as the cornerstone of modern navigational guides.
Today, the Nathaniel Bowditch House serves as the headquarters of Historic Salem, Inc., an organization that played a pivotal role in rescuing the house from demolition and ensuring its meticulous restoration. The house's relocation to its present site in the 1940s safeguarded it from potential destruction during a road widening project.
The Nathaniel Bowditch House boasts remarkable Federal-style architecture, characterized by its three-and-a-half stories, clapboard exterior, and a hip roof with a low pitch. Its elegant entrance is a focal point, recessed from the fa莽ade in a paneled opening, flanked by sidelight windows and crowned with a transom window. Fluted pilasters with intricately carved capitals support a flat-roofed architrave. A "Chinese balustrade" encircles the roof, contributing to its timeless charm.
This house has a unique history, having been owned by three families pivotal to Salem's maritime history. Although long believed to have been constructed around 1805, research in 2000 unearthed evidence suggesting that it was built between 1759 and 1760. The Curwen (or Corwin) family, known for their roles as shipbuilders, merchants, and businessmen, originally owned the house. Samuel Curwen, the builder of this residence, was a Loyalist who left the country during the American Revolutionary War, leaving his estate vulnerable to plunder.
In 1811, the house changed hands, finding its way into the possession of Nathaniel Bowditch. By this time, Bowditch had already made a profound mark in the world of navigation through his publication, the "New American Practical Navigator." This work, a meticulous revision of a flawed British counterpart, provided essential data on tides, currents, and astronomical tables, serving as the cornerstone of modern navigational guides.
Today, the Nathaniel Bowditch House serves as the headquarters of Historic Salem, Inc., an organization that played a pivotal role in rescuing the house from demolition and ensuring its meticulous restoration. The house's relocation to its present site in the 1940s safeguarded it from potential destruction during a road widening project.
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Nathaniel Bowditch House on Map
Sight Name: Nathaniel Bowditch House
Sight Location: Salem, USA (See walking tours in Salem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Salem, USA (See walking tours in Salem)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Salem, Massachusetts
Create Your Own Walk in Salem
Creating your own self-guided walk in Salem is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Salem Introduction Walking Tour
While first-time visitors to Salem won't want to miss the city's plethora of witch-themed attractions 鈥� the Witch House and Salem Witch Trials Memorial are two of the most popular 鈥� there is more to this mysterious city than just witchcraft. Salem boasts everything from spectacular 17th-century architecture to tranquil beaches and world-class art museums. Check out Salem's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Salem Maritime National Historic Site Tour
The Salem Maritime National Historic Site is a National Historic Site consisting of 12 historic structures, one replica tall-ship, and about 9 acres (36,000 m2) of land along the waterfront of Salem Harbor in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. Salem Maritime is the first National Historic Site established in the United States (March 17, 1938).[1] It interprets the Triangle Trade during the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Salem's Historical Homes Walking Tour
There鈥檚 no shortage of historic homes in Salem, considering that it鈥檚 one of the oldest cities in the United States. Even if you鈥檙e not really into history, you can appreciate the architectural style of the times. Some of these historic houses are open to the public as museums while others are privately owned. ***PH***
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles