Peabody, George, House
Why it's listed
This Federal-style farmhouse on Washington Street in Peabody was built about 1790-1793 and is the only surviving house of its period in the immediate downtown area. It has a 2 1/2-story main block, a western ell that may predate it, and a rear ell added in the mid-19th century. The exterior was sheathed in vinyl in the 1970s. Original features include a fieldstone foundation, a pedimented entry porch, cased posts and beams, and some early plaster. George Peabody, later an international financier and philanthropist, was born here in 1795 and lived in the house until 1810; it is the only known surviving residence associated with him. The farm later passed into the hands of the Upton family glue business and then the American Glue Company and Eastman Gelatine, and the house was rented to factory workers. That history reflects Peabody's change from an agricultural to an industrial economy. The City of Peabody bought the house in 1986 and has considered a tannery museum there.
Significance in brief: It is the only surviving Federal-period farmhouse in Peabody's densely developed downtown, with details typical of the style and of mid-19th-century alterations. It was the birthplace and boyhood home of financier and philanthropist George Peabody. Its later use by glue factory employees reflects the town's shift from farming to industry.
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 88000911, listed July 6, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 205 Washington St., Peabody |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | July 6, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88000911 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1790-1938 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic/Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the City of Peabody since 1986; listed as vacant/not in use, with plans for a small tannery museum. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.52130, -70.93553 (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.
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 88000911.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5543275
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.