Zaccheus Gould House

The Zaccheus Gould House is a two-and-a-half-story wood-frame building with five window bays and a central chimney located on River Road. The structure combines two sections, with the original part positioned to the right of the chimney and a later wing added to the left.

The house was built in 1670 by John Gould, one of Topsfield's founders, representing an early building style from the colonial period. The left wing was added around 1700, showing how families expanded their homes as they became more prosperous.

The exposed wooden frames inside reveal how builders worked and what techniques they used to construct homes. These visible joints and beams show the skill that early carpenters brought to their craft.

The house is located on River Road and forms part of a historic district officially recognized in 2005. The location is easy to find and offers a good view of residential buildings from this period in the region.

The building clearly shows two different construction periods: the original section on the right dates from the 17th century, while the left expansion came a full century later. This makes the house a visible example of how homes evolved over time and how generations adapted their living spaces.