Cable, Benjamin Stickney, Memorial Hospital
Why it's listed
Benjamin Stickney Cable Memorial Hospital sits on a low hill at the intersection of Routes 1A and 133 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Completed in 1917, it is an H-shaped, 2 1/2-story brick building with a slate roof, parapeted gables, gabled dormers and a columned entrance portico. Edward F. Stevens, a specialist in hospital design, chose the Colonial Revival style to fit Ipswich's many early buildings. The grounds were designed by landscape architect Arthur A. Shurtleff. Richard Crane funded the town's first hospital as a memorial to Benjamin Cable. Features reflecting early therapeutic ideas about fresh air and sunlight include an airing balcony, a south sun porch and a patients' terrace. Inside, Memorial Hall, the central corridor and the day room retain fine woodwork, and the operating room keeps its large window and Grueby tiles. A three-story addition of 1961 raised capacity from 20 to 41 beds and altered the east side. The hospital operated until 1980 and closed in 1987.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hospital is an unusual, well-executed example of early twentieth-century Colonial Revival architecture, chosen to suit Ipswich's old New England character. It is also important as the work of two master designers, architect Edward F. Stevens and landscape architect Arthur A. Shurtleff. It was the town's first hospital, funded by Richard Crane as a memorial to Benjamin Cable.
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 90000683, listed May 10, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of SR 1A and SR 133, Ipswich |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | May 10, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000683 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Edward F. Stevens (architect); Arthur A. Shurtleff (later Shurcliff), landscape architect; 1961 addition by James H. Ritchie & Associates, Boston |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Health/Medicine, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Hospital in active service 1917-1980 and closed in 1987; current function listed as vacant/not in use. |
| Acreage | 7.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.66652, -70.83693 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 90000683.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4889257
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.