This house was originally built in 1891.  It belonged to Philip Corbin who was a manufacturer of household hardware and locks.  His house of course had the finest hardware made in his factory.

For 40 years the house remained in his family and then changed hands numerous times.  By the late 1980’s the house had gone through many changes… none of them good.  The beautiful exterior had been striped away, inside doors were missing and much of the original historic hardware had been sold off.

In 1991 along came Peter Norton, the computer software magnate, and he bought the house for a reported $350,000.  It took three years to complete the renovation but the house was eventually restored to its original splendor and beauty.  It was again the jewel of Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs.

And then in February of 2001 the Corbin-Norton house burned almost to the ground. There was nothing left but a shell.  It was like a death had occurred.   Peter Norton vowed to rebuild the grand lady, which he did right down to the designs of the original hardware.  Once again the jewel stands proud and beautiful in Ocean Park.