24 Salem Street

Architectural Description: 

NRDIS NRMRA

Other features: 20th century remake of Phelps House (ca. 1810) on Main Street

Historical Narrative: 

Present owner: Trustees of Phillips Academy
Themes: Architectural, Community development

The house was designed by Guy Lowell and built as a fraternity house Phi Beta Chi PBX for boys at Phillips Academy.

Robert Domingue's book Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, an Illustrated History of the Property page 42 gives a brief history;
PBX, formed during the last decade of the nineteenth century as a "Commons" society, was first located in the house presently situated at 63 Highland Road.
The society purchased land on the northeast corner of Highland Road and Salem Street in the early part of the century and in late spring 1921 broke ground for a new Society House. It was designed by Guy Lowell and modeled after a famous colonial house in Salem, Mass.
The first floor contained a large living room and a billiard room; the second floor had a council room, several bedrooms and baths. As with many of the other Society Houses, the dining room and kitchen were located in the basement.
This wooden building with brick ends became the Newton-Hinman House, or Senior House, in 1950 following the phase out of the societies. It served as a club house and common room for the Senior Class. The facility was later converted to use as a dormitory.

Bibliography/References: 

Essex Country Registry Deeds, Salem, MA
Essex Northern Registry Deeds, Lawrence, MA

Owners;
Isaac Blunt estate, Samuel Merrill, Adm. - October 1834
Ezra Holt - Nov. 29, 1834 - b. 286 leaf 90 at auction - $3624.92 - 2a 50 rds w/dwelling
Elizabeth G. Holt, widow of Ezra Holt heir Probate
Mary A. (Stevens) Ensworth, wife of Henry B. - Apr. 18, 1866 - b. 701 leaf 139
Nancy M. Berry - Nov. 16, 1867 - b. 735 leaf 30 - Salem deed
Nancy M. Berry to Dora S. & Carrie C. Berry
Dora S. Berry
Warren L. Johnson, wife Mattie - June 22, 1912 - b. 319 p. 256 - 2 acres
Ahlers Association, Lawton S. Brayton, Pres. - Dec. 23, 1912 - b. 331 p. 347
Ahlers Association, - June 27, 1921 - b. 443 p. 14 & 15 - two additional lots
Trustees of Phillips Academy - Dec. 1, 1950 - b. 744 p. 440

Inventory Data:

StreetSalem St
PlacePhillips District
Historic DistrictAcademy Hill NRH District
Historic NameNewton - Hinman House - Phillips Academy
Present Useresidence
Original Useresidence - Fraternal Society house
Construction Date1921 - 1922
Sourcestyle-njs
Architectural StyleColonial Revival
Architect/BuilderGuy Lowell
Foundationstone & granite
Wall/Trimbrick - flush boarding
Roofasphalt - gable
Conditionexcellent
Acreage0.22608 acre; lot size: 10,036 sq. ft.; approx. frontage: Highland - 85', Salem - 108'
SettingResidential/Educational
Map and parcel41-24
Recorded byStack/Mofford
OrganizationAndover Historical Commission
Date entered1975 - 1977

Images: 

Map: