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Built in 1805, Hamilton Hall, located at the corner of Chestnut and Cambridge Streets, is one of America's most beautiful Federal architectural buildings. Designed by Salem's famous carpenter and architect, Samuel Mclntire, the hall was commissioned by Salem’s Federalist political party and named after Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding father of the United States. It is one of the city's architectural treasures and longtime gathering place for the region's cultural and social elite. For about two centuries the Hamilton Hall has served as a venue for balls, political events, lectures and weddings. From 1826, the famous caterer, John Remond, free Black man of Caribbean descent , ran his catering business out of the Hall for many years.
The Salem Athenaeum was originally chartered in 1810; however, its history can date back to fifty years prior to this. Like many other Athenaeums within the United States, this one was also the result of the joining of two previous institutions (Social Library 1760 and the Salem Philosophical Library 1781). These two institutions were composed mainly of wealthy residents as well as prominent lawyers, merchants, religious leaders, etc. In order to fully grasp the history surrounding this Athenaeum, a detailed look into the history surrounding the previously mentioned institutions is needed.
This was once the home of Nathaniel Bowditch, the founder of modern navigation, and is now a National Historic Landmark and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It currently serves as the headquarters of Historic Salem, Inc
The First Church in Salem was founded in 1634 by Puritan settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, making it one of the oldest churches founded in North America. It is also the first to be governed by congregational polity. In 1692, the meetinghouse of the First Church was involved in the Salem witch trials. During that time period, religion was a major part of the town’s life. Most sermons took place at the meetinghouse, and the few celebrations that were permitted were centered there. This led to much of the hysteria surrounding the trials.
The Peabody Essex Museum is one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States. Founded in 1799 in Salem, Massachusetts, the museum displays one of the major collections of Asian art in the United States. The museum’s collection includes 1.8 million objects, housed in a breathtaking building and surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds and historic homes (three city blocks and several off-site properties).The museum's many collection areas are among the finest of their kind, showcasing American, Asian and Asian Export, African, Contemporary, Maritime, Native American, and Oceanic art, as well as Architecture, Fashion and Textiles, and Photography. The Peabody Essex Museum has been a pioneer in the acquisition, relocation, restoration, and interpretation of historic environments.
The John Ward House was constructed in 1684 as a two-story structure with one room on each floor and a fireplace at one end. Ward was a leather finisher (called a “currier”) who likely emigrated to America from England around 1660 in order to avoid the plaque. The home was enlarged and a second gable was added to it shortly before his death. The property was passed on to his son, Benjamin. Over the next two centuries, it was used as apartments and as a bakery. In 1910, it was purchased by the Essex Institute, moved to its present location, and restored to its First-Period origins. The home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1968.
Opening in 1801, the Howard Street Cemetery has more than 300 gravestones on site at the location. Most of the gravestones are in good condition, although some are missing and others have become unreadable with age. Inscriptions of the over 300 gravestones, including those that are unreadable, can be found at the Phillips Library of the Peabody Essex Museum. The Howard Street Cemetery was also the site of the execution of Giles Corey, one of those accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. The Salem Dungeon and Jail used during the Salem Witch Trials was located next to the cemetery.
Born in Salem in 1816, a tailor and clerk, Nathaniel Felt joined the LDS/Mormon church in 1843 and was a friend of Brigham Young. He presided over the local congregations of LDS members in Salem. He lived in this house until 1845, when the Felt family and some other Salem Mormons decided to join the rest of the church as it prepared to leave Nauvoo, Illinois for the Salt Lake Valley. Felt served missions in England and was tasked with presiding over church members in St. Louis. In Utah he served in the Utah Territorial Legislature. He stayed in contact with his Salem associates defending the church and gave the Peabody Essex Museum monetary donations as well as and 1845 edition of the Book of Mormon and some items from his missions in England. The Museum purchased the home (originally on Liberty street) and moved it to its current location.
Charter Street Cemetery has been used as a burying ground from about 1637, making it the oldest cemetery in Salem. It is a part of the Charter Street Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, and also includes the Pickman House and Grimshawe House. Notable burials include Richard More, a passenger of the Mayflower, and four people involved in the Salem witch trials: John Hathorne, Bartholomew Gedney, Mary Corey, and Reverend Nicholas Noyes.
Whereas most of Salem's tourism industry focuses on the events of 1692, the New England Pirate Museum tells the story of the other notorious crimes of New England's colonial era. The pirates were infamous for looting ships sailing along the northeast coast as well as the tropics. Visitors to the museum are treated to a guided tour which includes a recreation of the seaport, a pirate battle, and the bat cave where the outlaws dwelled.
The large, red home which is now situated next to the famous House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Massachusetts was the birthplace of acclaimed author, Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne was born in the home but he only lived there for a short time. The home itself was moved from Union Street to its current spot on Derby Street in the mid-twentieth century. Hawthorne is best known for his classic works of American literature: The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables.
The House of the Seven Gables was originally built in 1668 for John Turner and his family. Turner was a wealthy merchant and ship-owner. The large home was added to, renovated, and eventually restored to its perceived original form. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The home is sometimes referred to as the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion for its former occupants. It is best known as the site of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic 1851 novel, The House of the Seven Gables. Today, it is open as a historic house and museum.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This tour of Salem includes a dozen historical sites that offer a general history of the community and some of its leading citizens and historic homes and buildings. Although a few entries are related to the Salem Witch Trials, this tour is designed to offer a general overview of the history of the community.
