Restored 1678 First Period Estate Offers ‘Authentic’ Glimpse Into the Past

An “irreplaceable opportunity” to buy a historical First Period estate with its own ell and an antique barn has been brought to the market in Massachusetts, where it is offering an “authentic glimpse into early New England life,” as well as the chance to take on stewardship of one of the country’s oldest surviving homes.

The Gloucester, MA, residence, which has been listed for $1.25 million, was originally built in 1678—however, additional structures have been added to the 2.4-acre parcel in the years since.

Still, the meticulously preserved four-bedroom abode, which is known as the William Haskell House, is still full of charm and character.

“The original house was built in the late 1600s and has stood the test of time over the years,” says listing agent Michael Selbst of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s still standing as it were when it was built nearly 350 years ago.”

The property is named after its original owner who harvested salt hay from the nearby tidal marshes more than three centuries ago.

Selbst says the sellers have primarily used the residence as a summer home and rented it out during the months when they were not living there. However, he noted that it would work just as well as a primary home for anyone who is looking to relocate more permanently.

“It could do well as either a primary or secondary residence,” he said. “I could see empty nesters wanting a primary bedroom on the first floor with guest accommodations upstairs.

“A lot of people who have looked at it have been young families. It’s located in a safe and sequestered neighborhood where you can set your kids free.”

Buyers can also rest easy in the knowledge that they aren’t going to be dealing with centuries-old plumbing; though the home appears very much as it did when it was first constructed, behind that façade lie much more modern upgrades.

While the interior has been thoughtfully protected as it existed back in the day, the home’s systems, including new wiring, plumbing, and geothermal heating, have been updated to modern standards.

“It has been fully stabilized with new electric and plumbing and new HVAC, so it’s essentially a current home wrapped in an original envelope.”

That historical wrapping does extend throughout the dwelling as well; despite undergoing multiple upgrades to its various infrastructural systems, many of the original period details that were added to the home when it was first built still remain today.

Found throughout the 3,000-square-foot interior are wide-plank floors, wood ceilings, exposed beams, wood-clad walls, and five fireplaces.

Even the more modern additions, like the cupboards in the kitchen, have been given a rustic look to ensure that they don’t mar the overall look and feel of the charming home.

The property also boasts a 1920s ell and an antique barn with entertaining room and covered porch that overlooks the marshes.

“The barn is especially nice,” Selbst said. “It was refitted in the 1920s and has a wonderful addition off of it that is used for entertaining. This home has a sense of nostalgia that pulls you back in time.”

It is also situated near the charming town of Essex.

“The previous owners bought the home and spent love, labor, and fortune to restore the property,” Selbst added.

“They repointed the foundation, custom milled walls, and rebuilt windows. Everything was done to original standards, and not much else needs to be done. They touched every surface really beautifully.”

Kellie Speed is a contributor to Realtor.com. As a writer and editor, she has worked for a variety of online and print publications, including Inked magazine, Jetset, Westchester magazine, JustLuxe, The Boston Globe, and U.S. Veterans Magazine. A Massachusetts native, Kellie attended Northeastern University for journalism, was previously the Boston editor for Haute Living, and contributed to Avalon Publishing’s Moon Metro Boston guidebook. Kellie writes celebrity profiles and covers restaurants, travel, and lifestyle.