In Massachusetts, history lives on in the houses still occupied, the bricks still warm, and the streets that haven’t forgotten who walked them first. Across Newton, Salem, Concord, Cambridge, and Marshfield, a handful of homes built between the Revolution and the modern era have held their ground, not as artifacts, but as functioning parts of their neighborhoods—witnesses to shifting economies, evolving tastes, and families who came and stayed or came and moved on.
These five mansions carry both the formality of their original blueprints and the layers of time: a Federal facade restored in Salem with geothermal systems underfoot; a granite home in Concord that once housed abolitionist whispers and now hosts high-speed internet. In Cambridge, a 1905 Georgian Revival was fused—deliberately—with a Cor-Ten steel addition. That move, like the best of preservation, wasn’t about freezing the past but folding it into the present.
Massachusetts was among the first places in America where architectural ambition took root and stayed. These houses weren’t simply built for shelter or show—they were declarations. And what they declare now, through renovations and reinterpretations, is that history can be lived in without being staged.
Each of these five homes shows what architectural longevity looks like when it’s backed by care, context, and craftsmanship. They’re less about nostalgia and more about endurance—testaments to how well-built structures can outlast even the stories told about them.
1. Grand Colonial with Premier Views and Resort-Style Grounds
This distinguished 1910 Colonial residence on Carriage Lane offers 5,212 square feet of refined living space with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Positioned along the famed Boston Marathon route, it boasts commanding street presence and beautifully landscaped grounds featuring a saltwater pool, hot tub, and lush gardens. The interior showcases grand entertaining spaces, including a formal dining room with fireplace, a sunroom, library/office, and a spacious lower level with a family room, sauna, gym, and game room. Valued at $2,995,000, this timeless home blends historic charm with exceptional scale and elegance.
Where is Newton?
Newton is a vibrant suburban city located just seven miles west of downtown Boston. Known for its picturesque villages, excellent public schools, and a strong sense of community, it is one of the most desirable residential areas in the Greater Boston area. Newton is bordered by several towns including Waltham, Brookline, and Needham, and offers convenient access to major highways and public transit. The city combines historic charm with modern amenities, making it a sought-after location for families and professionals alike.
Dining Room
This dining room features wood wainscoting and trim with a matching set of three large windows that bring in natural light. A black rectangular dining table is centered in the room with eight high-back chairs. A modern light fixture hangs directly above the table. French doors open into an adjacent space with white wainscoting and hardwood floors.
Living Room
This living room features dark wood trim, a large wood-framed window, and a central brick fireplace with a brass-trimmed screen. Neutral-toned furniture is arranged around a glass coffee table. The room connects to a staircase and adjacent hallway through a doorway on the right. Natural light fills the space through the large front-facing windows.
Office
This wood-paneled office includes built-in bookshelves, a large area rug, and a simple desk setup with a clear acrylic chair. Double glass doors open directly to a patio and provide views of the backyard. The space is well-lit by a large window and an overhead chandelier. The room combines a functional workspace with access to outdoor amenities.
Bedroom
This bedroom features polished wood flooring, a double-door closet with dark wood panels, and two windows that allow for natural light. A bed with neutral bedding is centered between white nightstands. The room has clean white walls, crown molding, and a modern overhead light fixture. A wooden door on the right leads to an adjacent room or hallway.
Aerial View
The aerial view shows a brick Colonial-style home with a slate roof, surrounded by mature trees and landscaped greenery. A separate brick structure sits adjacent to the main home. The backyard includes a curving in-ground pool with a surrounding patio. The rear sunroom and various windows face the yard and pool area.
Source: Coldwell Banker
2. The Joseph Story House: A 13-Room Historic Gem in Salem
The Joseph Story House is a 6,897-square-foot Federal-style estate in Salem, Massachusetts, featuring 5 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and 3 partial bathrooms on a 0.27-acre lot. This 13-room residence includes five fireplaces, a chef’s kitchen, a four-tiered fountain terrace, and a geothermal system for efficient modern living. The property also offers a heated two-car garage, a new brick carriage house, and a 4-level elevator for accessibility. Valued at $2,980,000, the home blends historic character with high-end features for both grand entertaining and private living.
Where is Salem?
Salem, Massachusetts is a historic coastal city located about 16 miles northeast of Boston, along the North Shore. It is best known for its 1692 witch trials and has become a popular destination for historical tourism and cultural events. Salem sits on the Atlantic Ocean and is bordered by towns like Beverly, Marblehead, and Peabody. The city offers a mix of maritime heritage, preserved colonial architecture, and a walkable downtown with museums, shops, and historic landmarks.
Entry Hall
The entry hall features light yellow walls, a central white door with sidelights, and a fanlight window, and crown molding throughout. A long, patterned runner rug lines the wood floor. Large contemporary artworks hang on both sides, and two adjacent rooms are visible through symmetrical doorways. The space includes a bench and a black console table.
Living Room
The living room has bold orange walls, a white fireplace with a decorative mantle, and two built-in display cabinets on either side. Two white sofas face each other across a glass coffee table. Colorful artwork and a chandelier add focal points to the room. The room connects to the hall and another sitting area.
Billiards Room
This room includes a blue felt pool table at its center and a white fireplace along the back wall. The space features hardwood flooring, crown molding, and large windows allowing in natural light. Framed artwork decorates the walls, and the room contains area rugs and minimal furniture. Outside buildings and street views are visible through the windows.
Bathroom
The bathroom includes a soaking tub with a tray, a large glass-enclosed shower, and a double-sided fireplace. Beige tile flooring runs throughout the space, and recessed lighting is installed in the ceiling. Wall art and framed photos are mounted above the fireplace and along the side wall. A doorway leads to a separate toilet room.
Backyard Terrace
This outdoor brick patio includes a metal dining set with six chairs and is surrounded by landscaped hedges and trees. A large, tiered water fountain sits at the far end of the terrace. The area is enclosed for privacy and has direct access from the house. A neighboring building and balconies are visible nearby.
Source: Coldwell Banker
3. Historic 1850 Granite Home with Modern Systems and Garden Retreat
This 2,526-square-foot granite home, built in 1850 on 0.2 acres, features 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. The interior includes an open dining and living room, a kitchen with a 6-burner cooktop and potfiller, a breakfast room, a first-floor bedroom with an adjacent bath, and an 18-foot family room. Upstairs are three additional bedrooms with hardwood floors and a third-floor bonus room ideal for an office or study. Valued at $2,290,000, the property includes stone patios, a grape-covered dining terrace, and carefully landscaped perennial gardens.
Where is Concord?
Concord is a historic town located about 20 miles northwest of Boston. It is best known for its pivotal role in the American Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Concord in 1775. The town is bordered by places like Lexington, Lincoln, and Acton, and offers a mix of preserved historical sites, scenic natural areas, and residential neighborhoods. Concord is also home to literary landmarks associated with authors such as Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau.
Living Room
This living room features diamond-paned windows, a central sofa flanked by two armchairs, and a round glass coffee table. The ceiling has a circular decorative medallion and crown molding frames the window alcoves. Walls are painted a muted olive tone and the space is lit with floor and table lamps. Artwork is displayed between windows and above the sofa.
Kitchen
The kitchen includes a stainless steel range beneath a pot rack, with a backsplash alcove and wall-mounted pot filler. A large granite island with a sink is centered in the space, and a stainless steel refrigerator is set into the wall. A stone shelf and decorative clock are mounted above a built-in nook. The floor is finished in tile and the space opens to adjacent rooms.
Dining Room
The dining room includes a small wooden dining table and chairs set in a recessed alcove with blue wallpaper. The walls around the alcove are painted taupe and the room features hardwood floors and crown molding. A curved archway separates the alcove from the main dining area. Light enters through diamond-pane windows with white curtains.
Bedroom
This attic-level bedroom has sloped ceilings painted in a reddish tone and exposed dark wood beams overhead. A full-sized bed is centered under a triangular window built into a natural stone wall. There is minimal furniture, and baseboard heat runs along the walls. Small built-in doors provide access to attic storage.
Patio
The outdoor space includes a stone patio with a metal pergola overhead and vine-covered columns. A circular table with chairs is placed near the center of the patio. The area is enclosed with stone walls and surrounded by landscaped plantings. The exterior of the home includes multiple windows and an entryway directly connected to the patio.
Source: Coldwell Banker
4. Overmarsh Coastal Estate with Private Beach and Ocean Views
This 3,026-square-foot property known as “Overmarsh” includes 6 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, and 1 partial bathroom, situated on a 1-acre lot with a 2-car garage. The main house offers 5 bedrooms and multiple living spaces, including a formal dining room, a stone fireplace in the living room, a gourmet kitchen, and a three-season sunroom. A one-bedroom accessory dwelling over the garage includes a full bath, kitchen, and sitting area with water views. Valued at $2,200,000, the home is part of the Sea Rivers Trust, offering access to a gated sandy beach, tennis court, walking trails, and a roof deck with ocean views.
Where is Marshfield?
Marshfield is a coastal town located about 30 miles southeast of Boston, along the South Shore. It borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east and is adjacent to towns like Duxbury, Pembroke, and Scituate. Known for its beaches, salt marshes, and seasonal population spikes, Marshfield offers a mix of year-round and vacation homes. The town is accessible via Route 3 and offers commuter options for those working in the Greater Boston area.
Living Room
The living room features a large stone fireplace, white plank ceilings with exposed beams, and hardwood floors. Multiple sofas and armchairs are arranged around a central coffee table. Windows line the back and side walls, allowing for natural light throughout. A staircase is visible to the left of the fireplace.
Kitchen
The kitchen has a long center island with seating for five, topped with a neutral-colored countertop. White cabinetry surrounds a stainless steel range and a built-in refrigerator. Two pendant lights hang above the island, and the backsplash features a light, textured tile. Natural light enters through two windows over the counter.
Sunroom
The sunroom has a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. The space includes multiple wicker seating areas with neutral cushions and accent pillows. A central wooden coffee table anchors the room. The flooring is a natural woven rug and the windows provide full views of the yard.
Bedroom
This bedroom has sloped ceilings and two windows with sheer curtains. A white metal bed frame holds a full-sized bed with white and blue bedding. A standing mirror and area rug are placed near the bed. The walls and ceilings are painted a light cream color.
Rear Exterior
The back of the house features weathered gray shingles and a mix of window styles, including bay and double-hung. A small patio area with seating and a grill is located outside the walk-out basement door. A second-story balcony and enclosed porch are visible. The surrounding yard is open and grassy with a few trees in the background.
Source: Coldwell Banker
5. Architect-Designed Cambridge Estate with Lush Grounds and Sport Court
This extraordinary 8,728-square-foot estate features 7 bedrooms, 8 full bathrooms, and 1 partial bath, and is valued at $24,000,000. Designed by Stern McCafferty, the home artfully merges the clean lines of a contemporary gallery with the timeless elegance of a 19th-century Georgian Revival. A striking Cor-Ten steel addition contrasts and complements the original 1905 brick structure, delivering both warmth and a modern edge. Surrounded by lush, private grounds, the property includes shaded patios, blooming gardens, vine-covered walls, and a versatile sports court for outdoor living.
Where is Cambridge?
Cambridge is located directly across the Charles River from downtown Boston, forming part of the Greater Boston area. It is best known as the home of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), two of the world’s leading academic institutions. The city features a mix of historic neighborhoods, vibrant commercial districts, and cultural attractions. Cambridge is easily accessible by public transportation and is a hub for education, innovation, and technology.
Entry Hall
The front entry is wide and open, with pale wood floors and white walls. A curved staircase adds a stylish focal point. There are two sculpted wood chairs and a rug in the center. Light from the upper window brightens the space.
Dining Room
The dining room features dark paneled walls and a long wooden table surrounded by soft pink velvet chairs. A modern light fixture hangs above. On the wall, six black-and-white art pieces add a bold, clean look. Large windows let in natural light and are framed by gray curtains.
Living Room
This space combines a cozy living room and a sleek kitchen. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the wall, bringing in sunlight and views of the yard. The kitchen has light wood cabinets, two large pendant lights, and a central island with built-in storage. A gray sectional and leather ottoman create a relaxed seating area.
Bathroom
The bathroom is covered in white marble, including the walls, floors, and countertops. It has two sinks, a large mirror, and a soaking tub beneath the window. Everything is clean, bright, and modern. Simple fixtures keep the look sharp and minimal.
Patio
The patio is paved with stone and shaded by a vine-covered pergola. There’s a dining table in the center and a separate seating area off to the side. Tall plants and trees make the space feel private. It’s a great spot for meals or relaxing outside.
Source: Coldwell Banker
