Bowditch, Nathaniel, House
Why it's listed
This Federal-style house at 9 North Street in Salem was built early in the 19th century on Essex Street and moved to its current site around 1945 to save it from a street-widening project. It has a 3-story frame main block with a low hipped roof, a 2½-story rear ell, and a five-bay front with a centered doorway framed by engaged Corinthian columns. The house was badly deteriorated when moved and needed major repairs. The exterior remains close to its original appearance except for a missing roof balustrade, while the interior has been altered. From 1811 to 1823 it was the home of Nathaniel Bowditch, a self-educated Salem scientist. His New American Practical Navigator, published in 1802, replaced an error-filled British manual as the standard guide for sailors. He also translated LaPlace's work on mathematical astronomy and served as an insurance company president. The city now owns the house and uses it for offices.
Significance in brief: It was the home of Nathaniel Bowditch from 1811 to 1823. Bowditch was a self-taught scientist whose New American Practical Navigator (1802) advanced navigation and became the standard seamen's manual. He also translated LaPlace's Mecanique Celeste and became the first insurance actuary in the country.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000135, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | North St., Salem |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000135 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1811-1823 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Science, Invention |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 12, 1965 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the City of Salem and restored after the move; used as offices by the Park, Police and Street Departments, and open to visitors by appointment. Described as in good condition. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Within district | Chestnut Street District |
| Coordinates | 42.52176, -70.89891 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000135.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6969514
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.