Isaac Goodale House

The Isaac Goodale House is a 2.5-story timber-framed structure with a gabled roof, central chimney, and clapboard siding along Argilla Road. The building contains period features including leaded casement windows, raised interior paneling, and five fireplaces that served the household's needs.

The house was built around 1700 and remained with the Goodale family for approximately two centuries before changing ownership in 1915. This extended family stewardship reflects the lasting settlement patterns of colonial Massachusetts households.

The building displays regional craftsmanship through hand-carved paneling and structural beams typical of Essex County, reflecting local builder skills of the colonial period. The fireplaces and leaded windows show how residents managed heating and natural light in their daily lives.

The property is protected under a preservation easement with the Ipswich Historical Commission that safeguards its original architectural features from alteration. Visitors should plan to view this residence primarily from the street, as many historic private homes offer limited or no public interior access.

The entire house was carefully dismantled and moved from West Peabody to Ipswich in 1928, an extraordinary preservation effort for a building of its size. Reconstruction was completed the following year, representing an innovative approach to saving threatened historic structures.

Location: Massachusetts

GPS coordinates: 42.66056,-70.79944

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41