The Peter Woodbury House was built in 1696-1697 by Deacon Peter Woodberry for his son Peter.  The land surrounding the house included acreage on the opposite side of Dodge Street and behind the house all the way to the shore of Wenham Lake.  For generations the land was farmed.  The property was passed down through seven generations to Levi Woodberry.  In the years that Levi and his wife Mary Ann ran the farm, a young man named Joseph F. Andrews came to live with them, occupying a room in the attic and helping them on the farm.  On June 22, 1898 Levi passed away leaving the house to his wife Mary Ann.  On March 27, 1899, by order of the court Levi's estate was assigned to his widow, Mary Ann Woodberry.  Prior to her death on January 2, 1902 she left the house to Joseph Andrews. 

In 2004 the third generation of Andrews, Arthur Cheever Cressey Jr. died.  His only child Arthur (Tristan) Cheever Cressey 2^nd was living in New Mexico at the time.  Tristan came back to Beverly for his father's funeral and to think about the future of the property.  Being employed and settled in New Mexico, he decided to sell it. 

Bob and Pat Swisher of Beverly heard about the property and were interested in it because of its history.  When they looked more closely at the property they realized that the house needed a lot of work.  The property needed someone who had the time, the resources, and the patience to renovate and restore it.  With a strong interest in the historical significance of the property and its First and Second Period architecture the Swishers purchased it.  This was the first time it had been sold in 308 years after having been passed on from generation to generation

With the assistance of their son Nathan and his wife Amy, the Swisher family has carefully and tastefully renovated and restored it.  In the process they preserved the details of the First and Second Periods and uncovered other details long hidden during previous renovations.  With their work now complete they have honored its history and helped to preserve it for future generations.
 

Like many houses of its age, over the years it had been used as a single family and as a multi family residence.  During the renovation a decision was made to use it once again as a two family residence.  Unlike many houses that have gone through similar transitions it remains a traditional colonial with a basic four over four configuration with each of the eight rooms having its own fireplace.

In 2006 the property was converted into two townhouses in the name of the Peter Woodbury House Trust.  At the same time Nathan and Amy Swisher purchased the townhouse on the left side now numbered 82-1 Dodge Street.  Bob and Pat Swisher continue to own the townhouse on the right side, 82-2 Dodge Street.