Sprague House
Why it's listed
Built in 1810 on a small triangular lot in Danversport, this 2 1/2-story Federal-style house was constructed by Joseph Sprague Jr., a Salem merchant, as a summer residence on a farm that once totaled 112 acres. The five-bay clapboard main block has a central entrance with pediment, elliptical fanlight and reeded pilasters, and one-story wings extend from each side. Inside, the center-hall plan retains carved mantels, wide-board wainscoting, pocket shutters, paneled doors and a kitchen fireplace with beehive oven. The carving resembles work by Samuel McIntire in Salem, though any connection to him is unproven. The Spragues were a wealthy and influential Salem family, and the house is one of several summer homes built in the area by Salem merchants. It is listed as a rare surviving Federal-style country residence in Danvers with notable original interior detail. A modest early 20th century garage also stands on the property.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an excellent, well-preserved example of a Federal-style country residence, one of few surviving in Danvers. Its interior finishes are especially notable, and it is tied to the Sprague family, wealthy Salem merchants. It meets Criterion C at the local level.
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 87001108, listed July 2, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 59 Endicott St., Danvers |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | July 2, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001108 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; the owners run an antiques business from the home. Alterations are described as minimal. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.55009, -70.92680 (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 87001108.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7580185
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.