The Samuel Pope House, c.1740
69 Boston St.
(Listed 2003 – Saved 2007)
Samuel Pope, a blacksmith and member of the Quaker community who settled in the Salem area, 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 The proposal was subsequently withdrawn.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.