James Drisco did not build the house he lived in, just east of Sherburne House, but he did build the one to the west just across Horse Lane. Drisco purchased the lot at the corner of Horse and Puddle Lanes, and about 1810 had a house constructed on it, probably as rental property. It is now known as Lowd House. Peter Lowd, a Portsmouth cooper, bought it in 1824 and lived there with his family until his death in 1837.Peter Lowd practiced one of the oldest trades in Portsmouth. From earliest settlement, the barrels, hogsheads, kegs and casks fashioned by the cooper's hands were needed for shipping New Hampshire produce and products.As Portsmouth trade prospered in the eighteenth century, the demand for coopers increased. Although Portsmouth trade had begun to decline when Peter Lowd practiced his craft in the 1820s and thirties, the demand for wooden shipping containers still existed.

Lowd was one of the many middleclass artisans who provided the basis of Portsmouth's prosperity. In many respects his business activities were representative of this group, and like most he had his economic ups and downs. In the early 1830s he reached the peak of his personal prosperity. He invested the money he made in his shop on Long Wharf across Marcy Street, in another wharf and several ships. After 1833 his financial position began to decline, possibly due to bad investments, the general downturn of Portsmouth trade, ill-health, or a combination of these. He died in 1837, leaving his wife and five children with extensive debts.

Architecturally, Lowd House stands in contrast not only to the much earlier Sherburne House across the lane, but to the Drisco House built only fifteen years before. Its rectangular shape and low-pitched hip roof are characteristics of a Federal period house from the early nineteenth century. The exterior is plain, but the front doorway with its delicate fanlight and pilasters is a fine example of the Federal style in Portsmouth. The interior, too, is simple, although the rooms possess unusual cornice moldings.

In size and style the house seems highly appropriate for a middle class artisan such as cooper Peter Lowd. The ell on the north is part of an older structure that dates from before the Revolution. Its origin is unknown, but great efforts were made to incorporate it into the main house when that was built in 1810. Joining older structures to new ones was a common building practice in the Strawbery Banke neighborhood.

In keeping with its heritage, Lowd House now contains an exhibit on New Hampshire craftsmen and their tools. The display is from Strawbery Banke's extensive Garland W. Patch Collection of Portsmouth area tools from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Other tools were provided by Mr. & Mrs. Winthrop L. Carter, Mr. Ralph E. Morang, Jr., J. Lee Murray and anonymous donors. Lowd House was restored through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Edward V. French.