Story, Joseph, House
Why it's listed
Overlooking Salem Common from 26 Winter Street, this three-story brick house with a hip roof is laid in Flemish bond. Its narrow end faces Winter Street, and a slim service ell extends behind. The front portico has been altered several times, and the present portico, bay window and wide porch date from 1901. Window lintels are splayed, reeded stone. Inside, the original moulding, woodwork and mantelpieces appear to survive, and the house is very well cared for. Its importance lies in its first prominent resident, Joseph Story, who lived here from 1811 to 1829. A Supreme Court justice, Story wrote influential opinions and Commentaries on the Constitution that supported the supremacy of the nation over the states. He shaped admiralty, equity and commercial law, and helped establish legal education at Harvard Law School. This house is the only surviving residence tied to his productive years. It remains a private home and is not open to the public.
Significance in brief: It is the only surviving residence associated with Joseph Story's productive life. Story was a Supreme Court justice whose opinions and Commentaries on the Constitution laid a judicial basis for national supremacy. He is also regarded as the father of Harvard Law School and an authority on admiralty, equity and commercial law.
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 73001952, listed November 7, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 26 Winter St., Salem |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | November 7, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001952 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1811-1829 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Law |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated November 7, 1973 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rated in excellent condition and very well cared for, with original moulding, woodwork and mantelpieces apparently intact; a private residence not open to the public. |
| Acreage | 1.1 |
| Within district | Salem Common Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.52507, -70.89011 (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 73001952.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6287222
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.