historic house tours salem ma

Historic Houses & Gardens

Salem has a uniquely rich architectural heritage. Every major American architectural style is represented within its borders. PEM’s physical campus of historic houses and other buildings encompasses three city blocks.

Our properties include a unique collection of buildings and architectural fragments spanning three centuries. PEM also has two gardens located on its campus: the 5,000-square-foot Museum Garden and the historic Ropes Mansion Garden.

Currently, Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home is open year-round for self-guided tours and PEM's Ropes Mansion is open seasonally on weekends for self-guided tours. Timed reservations for historic house tours are required and entry is included in general admission.

McIntire Historic District

Located a short walk from PEM, this district is rich with Georgian- and Federal-style houses designed or influenced by renowned architect Samuel McIntire (1757–1811).

Ropes Mansion and Garden

Built in 1727–1729 0.4 miles from PEM

Peirce-Nichols House

Built in 1782 0.4 miles from PEM

Cotting-Smith Assembly House

Built in 1782 0.6 miles from PEM

Essex Block Neighborhood

This is the center of the museum’s architectural collection. Three centuries of extraordinary New England architecture, set in Federal-style gardens, may be found within this one square city block. As a rule, the buildings whose exteriors are wood-clad have been moved to the site from elsewhere; those clad in brick or stone are original to the site.

Quaker Meeting House

Built c. 1688 0.1 miles from PEM

Lye-Tapley Shoe Shop

Built in 1783 0.1 miles from PEM

John Ward House

Built in 1685-1699 0.1 miles from PEM

Andrew-Safford House

Built in 1818 0.2 miles from PEM

Crowninshield-Bentley House

Built in 1729 0.2 miles from PEM

Daniel Bray House

Built in 1766-1806 0.1 miles from PEM

Gardner-Pingree House

Built in 1804–06 0.2 miles from PEM

Derby-Beebe Summer House

Built in 1796 0.1 miles from PEM

Plummer Hall and Daland House

Built in 1856 Across the street from PEM

Main Campus

Located at the corner of Essex Street and New Liberty Street, this is the site of most of the museum’s gallery and office space, housed in buildings of various periods. Several historic structures comprise this part of the campus.

Samuel Pickman House

Built in 1672 Located behind the museum

East India Marine Hall

Built in 1824–25 Incorporated into the main museum building

Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home

Built c. 1790s Enter from inside the museum

Architectural Styles

First period or post-medieval.

First Period or Post-Medieval is the earliest style of architecture found in New England. Look for massive central chimneys; steeply pitched, many-gabled roofs; asymmetrical door and window patterns; wooden batten doors; diamond-paned leaded casement windows; and second-floor overhangs.

Georgian style

Georgian style is based on classical models popular in Britain in the early 18th century. Look for orderly, symmetrical façades, usually of two stories; transom lights or small rectangular windows over doors; double-hung sash windows; and classical details such as pediments, pilasters and columns.

Federal style

Federal style is an American adaptation of the Neoclassical, Roman or Adam style popular in Britain in the late 18th century. Look for orderly, symmetrical façades, usually of three stories; fanlights above doors and sidelights beside doors; semicircular porches; hipped roofs; and classical details such as pediments, pilasters and columns.

Greek Revival

Greek Revival structures are usually one or two stories with a facade that resembles a Greek temple. Columns or pilasters typically have Doric or Ionic capitals. Details such as dormer windows have prominent pediments.

Italianate town houses

Italianate town houses are usually made of sandstone in dark brown or reddish colors. They are meant to evoke the farmhouses of northern Italy. These houses are often square or cube-shaped with round-topped windows and cupolas.

Explore PEM Walks, an audio series that takes you into remarkable historic structures in Salem with PEM’s Content Producer Dinah Cardin and Manager of Historic Structures Steven Mallory.

Museum Garden

PEM’s serene 5,000-square-foot garden offers a mental and acoustic break from your museum experience. Designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, the garden space features nearly 300 varieties of shrubs, 60 trees, 37 species of flowers, an 11-foot cascading water feature and multiple benches to sit and relax.

Ropes Mansion Garden

Located at 318 Essex Street (a 10-minute walk from PEM), the Ropes Mansion garden blooms with plant life that’s as appealing to bees and butterflies as it is to visitors. Designed by Salem botanist and horticulturist John Robinson in 1912, the one-acre Colonial Revival garden welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Located in Salem’s McIntire Historic District, the tranquil space is open to the public 365 days a year, from dawn to dusk, at no charge. Leashed dogs are welcome in the garden.

Become a Garden Volunteer

PEM periodically recruits community volunteers to help maintain its gardens. We are currently accepting applications.

Keep exploring

Peeling back the layers.

PEMcast 8 | Part 1: Historic House Crush

15 min listen

Stay up to date.

17th & 18th Century houses of Essex County, Massachusetts

First Period houses of Salem MA

Salem, MA has about 18 First Period houses (built during the first century of English settlement, approximately 1620-1720. In his landmark studies, “Massachusetts and its First Period Buildings” (1979) and The Framed Houses of Massachusetts Bay, 1625-1725 (1979), architectural historian Abbott Lowell Cummings demonstrated that eastern Massachusetts contains the greatest concentration of First Period structures in the nation. By the first quarter of the eighteenth century, house-building transitioned from First Period to Georgian concepts of architecture.

Examples of the most common two-room, central-chimney plan can be found in both early seventeenth-century East Anglia and in First Period Massachusetts Bay dwellings, and can be identified for by frame construction, roof design, and the use of materials and decorative features. In wealthier communities such as Salem, many of the early houses were replaced, but in Ipswich, which went through a long period of economic hardship, 59 houses have been identified as First Period. There are believed to be about 350 First Period houses remaining in the country, primarily in Essex County.

The following houses are identified in the MACRIS site, with descriptions by the Salem Historical Commission in the 1970s.

SAL.3283 4 Becket St. Salem MA 1718 . 4 Becket Street appears to have originally had a four or five-bay arrangement with a center entry to which an addition has been made at the western end. The profile of the gable roof has been changed by the construction of a rear lean-to across the eastern half at the rear of the house. 4 Becket Street is probably the earliest house surviving on Becket Street. Late in the 17th century, this lot was part of the land of Hubakkuk Turner, whose widow Mary married deacon John Marston, a Salem house carpenter in 1686. The Marstons eventually sold off this land, which had been an orchard, as house lots. One of the lots went to Deacon Marston’s son-in-law, fisherman, Benjamin Phippen, in 1717 and he built this house perhaps with the help of his housewright father-in-law.

SAL.1044 Pickering House, 18 Broad St. Salem MA c 1664.

The Pickering House is unique in the United States as the oldest house to have been continuously occupied by one family; it is also the oldest known house in Salem MA. The house stands on part of the land granted in 1637 to John Pickering. The earliest section of the house is believed to have been built c. 1651 by John Pickering Sr., a carpenter, (d. 1657). His son John is believed to have been responsible for a c. 1671 expansion. Deacon Timothy Pickering was the owner in 1751 when the rear was raised to a second story. Perhaps the best-known occupant of the house was Colonel Timothy Pickering, born in the house in 1745. A soldier and a statesman, Pickering served in the Continental Army during the Revolution.

The Oxford Tree Ring Laboratory conducted a dendrochronology study with the following findings: “(a) Phase I Felling Date: Winter 1663/4. (b) Phase II: Parlour extension Felling date: Winter 1681/2. The original part of the Pickering House was built by John Pickering in 1664 or shortly thereafter on land he acquired in 1659. Previously thought to have been built by his father, John Pickering, Sr. before his death in 1657, the structure was two-and-one-half stories in height and consisted of the present south-east (right-hand front) rooms and chimney bay. The room and chamber were framed with double transverse summer beams and summer tie beams supported by story posts, a framing configuration typical of Salem. A room and chamber were added west of the chimney in 1682, making the statement in the Pickering Family papers that the rooms were added twenty years after the original construction, nearly correct. 

SAL.2454 John Ward House, 7-9 Brown St. Salem MA 1684 .

This house is one of the least altered examples of the 17th-century construction in the United States. It is an outstanding illustration of the organic building process of the time, still strongly reminiscent of medieval forms.

SAL.2506 Goult – Pickman House, 43 Charter St. Salem MA c 1680.

This restored house is a rare surviving example of 17th-century architecture. It is further significant by association with two famous residents: Benjamin Lynde, Jr., Judge and Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and Michele Felice Corne, a prominent marine artist credited with the introduction of the tomato to America.

SAL.2616 Stephen Daniels House, 1 Daniels St. Salem MA c 1667 .

This house was built in 1667 for shipwright Stephen Daniels. The oldest parts of this building are the lower- two stories of the southern half. The northern half, the third floor, and the large lean-to ell were added by Samuel Silsbee in 1756. Silsbee was Daniels’s great-grandson and a carpenter by trade. In 1756, the house was expanded to give it its current Georgian configuration.

SAL.3239 William Murray House, 39 Essex St. Salem MA c 1688

The William Murray House is two First-period framed buildings joined together. The three easternmost bays (farthest from Essex St.) enclose the original c. 1688 single cell house. That house originally had overhangs on the south and east facades and a roof pitch comparable to the current roof pitch of the west end of the house. The three bays on the west were added early 18th century. The two halves of the house were owned separately from 1759 until the mid-19th century, so there are two small lobbies with staircases side by side. The southernmost staircase is trimmed with turned balusters of late Second Period profile.

SAL.2669 Christopher Babage House, 46 1/2 Essex St. Salem MA c 1717

This house has been heavily altered over the years. From the exterior, it has a Georgian appearance, but the interior is reported to have chamfered oak beams indicating an earlier First Period core. Perley reports that the eastern portion of the structure was cut off in 1859 and moved to Kosciusko Street leaving a three-bay half-house. The structure has a gambrel roof with a deep soffit and an integral lean-to at the rear.

SAL.2593 Narbonne House, 71 Essex St. Salem MA c 167 4

The Narbonne House is an important First Period survivor. The structure consists of a two-story, three-bay gable-roofed half-house to which has been added a lh story gambrel-roofed section at the south end. These two parts share a large chimney. According to architectural historian Abbott Lowell-Cummings, the oldest portion of this house was built for Thomas Ives, a slaughterer, who was in possession of it by January 1676 and perhaps at the time of his marriage on April 1, 1672. Cummings believes that the original structure “consisted of a room with chamber and garrett and chimney bay (left-hand portion) and an original lean-to with a fireplace of unusual size and character.” (Tolles, p. 42) The gambrel-roofed ell and the central portion of the lean-to are thought to have been added when Capt. John Hodges owned the property between 1750 and 1780. Subsequently, the lean-to was enlarged a third time.

The Oxford Tree Ring Laboratory conducted a dendrochronology study with the following findings:

Primary Phase Felling dates:  Summer 1674, Winter 1674/5, and Spring 1675 . The earliest portion of the Narbonne House, which faces west, consisted of the left-hand rooms, chimney bay and attic, together with a lean-to (now replaced) and perhaps additional original construction south of the chimney. In the mid-eighteenth century a separate story-and-one-half building with a gambrel roof, built with reused timbers and consistent in style with construction between 1725 and 1750, was drawn up and attached south of the chimney bay, replacing earlier south rooms that, if not original, were present by 1695. Paul Mansfield acquired the unimproved lot on which the house was built in 1669. By January 6, 1676, Thomas Ives was the owner, and it was presumably Ives who began to build the house the previous year. 

SAL.1510 Judge Jonathan Corwin House, 310 Essex St. Salem MA 1675

The original owner of 310 Essex Street was Nathaniel Davenport, commander of the fort on Castle Island in Boston Harbor from 1645 until 1665. Subsequent to that post, he began construction of this dwelling which has become known as the Salem Witch House. Jonathan Corwin, a merchant, bought the unfinished house from Davenport in 1675. He immediately contracted for its completion with the mason, Daniel Andrews. At that time, the dwelling had steep gables, a large, central chimney, and a projecting, two-story entry porch at the center of the facade. During the witchcraft delusion of 1692, those suspected of practicing witchcraft were brought to the house for pretrial examinations, during which Corwin acted as judge. Jonathan Corwin’s grandson, Captain George Corwin, lived in the house until his death in 1746. His widow, Sarah Corwin, replaced the cross-gable roof with a gambrel roof, removed the facade gables and enlarged the building. The present state of the building is the result of a restoration to its presumed original state, carried out c. 1945.

Eleazer Gedney House , 19-21 High St. Salem MA c 1664

The earliest part of the Gedney House was constructed circa 1665 and changes were made to it circa 1700, and again circa 1800. It was, however, the final alteration to the house, made in the early 1960s, which determined the major importance of the house today. At that time, the property was purchased for investment purposes, and the builder began the demolition, tearing out most of the original and later trim. On behalf of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA), Abbot Lowell Cummings acquired the house in 1967 as a study house, with the intention to leave the house unrestored as an object of study. The house is owned by Historic New England . View the Oxford Tree Ring Laboratory Dendrochronology Report for this house.

SAL.3425 House of Seven Gables, 54 Turner St. Salem MA 1668

The Turner house was erected in 1668 for Captain John Turner, a merchant. The property remained in his family for three generations, first inherited by his son, John Turner, Jr., and including the Ingersolls, relatives of Nathaniel Hawthorne. In 1908, the property was purchased by Caroline O. Emmerton, founder of the House of Seven Gables Settlement Association. The Association restored the house and interior to the 1840s, the time of Hawthorne’s association with the property. This 2 1/2-story, gable-end house is irregular in plan and has a rambling, asymmetrical appearance punctuated by a many-gabled roof line. The east gable end of the original, 2 1/2-story section of the house fronts on Turner Street. Built on the hall and parlor plan with an off-center chimney, its facade faces south, toward the water. That facade consists of an eastern facade gable, the remainder of likely two, previous Gothic, cross-gables in the original facade.

The Oxford Tree Ring Laboratory conducted a study of this house with the following findings: “Primary Phase Felling dates: Summer 1666, Summer 1667, Winter 1666/7, and Winter 1667/8 Summer 1675, Winter 1675/6, Summer 1676, and Winter 1676/7. The Turner House was built by wealthy merchant John Turner in 1668 as a central chimney, two-room plan, two-and-one-half story house facing southeast toward the water. The plan was asymmetrical with a smaller parlor on the northeast end and a larger hall on the southwest end. There were two facade gables. Within eight years, John Turner added an ambitious parlor wing southeast of the original hall.”

SAL.3426 Hathaway House, – Old Bakery 54 Turner St. Salem MA c 1682

According to Abbot Lowell Cummings’ Framed Houses of Massachusetts Bay, the earliest part of this house is the southernmost end, including the chimney, main entrance, facade gable, and overhang. The dwelling was built on a single-room plan. Sometime after 1784, the house was doubled in size when the present two-bay northern section was added and a one-story lean-to was attached to the rear. The lean-to was later increased to two stories in height. The Beverly jog was also added later. This house was moved to this site from 23 Washington Street around 1911 and restored by architect, Joseph E. Chandler.

SAL.3427 Retire Beckett House, 54 Turner St. Salem MA c 1655

According to Perley, this pre-1655 house, formerly located on Becket Avenue, was originally the home of John Jackson (d. 1655). The property passed to Jonathan Porter who sold it to John Becket (b. c. 1626; d. 1683) on May 26, 1656. John Becket, shipwright was the first of a line of noted Salem shipbuilders and the great, great grandfather of Retire Becket (b. c. 1754; d. May 29, 1831), the most famous family member for whom the house is named. The house remained in the family for more than two hundred years.

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What did the inside of these houses look like?

There are inside photos of many of the Ipswich early houses at https://historicipswich.net/2022/10/16/1st-2nd-3rd-period-houses-in-ipswich/

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ABOUT THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES

In 1668, merchant and shipowner John Turner I, and his wife Elizabeth Robinson Turner, built a house on Salem Harbor that was destined to become one of America’s most beloved historic homes. Designated a National Historic Landmark District in 2007, The House of the Seven Gables is best known today as the setting of world-renowned American author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel. But it is so much more! Learn about four centuries of inclusive history at one of America’s most beloved historic homes. Plan your visit, explore our educational opportunities and embark on a tour with us today!

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What is Travelers’ Choice? Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Currently Tripadvisor’s #1 Attraction in Salem.

Passages of The Past Audio Tour

All Day Event

Experience a more personal history of Salem from the perspectives of the people who don’t make it into the history books. From enslaved people to indentured servants to immigrants fleeing...

Hawthorne's Shadow Audio Tour

Intended for the true Hawthorne fan and the just curious alike, tour through Salem, guided by Nathaniel Hawthorne, sharing his stories, his inspirations, and the many ghosts of Salem. Encounter...

Salem to Rome: William Wetmore Story, Louisa Lander, Sophia and Nathaniel Hawthorne and Sculptural Controversy

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

During the 1850s, American artists and writers formed a community in Rome. Among them were Salem-born William Wetmore Story, Louisa Lander, and Sophia and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

SETTLEMENT PROGRAMMING AT THE HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES

The Gables offers educational programming to support our local immigrant community including Adult English Language and Citizenship preparation classes. We engage our wider community through stimulating, thoughtful, facilitated conversations on immigration and other social justice issues.

OUR HISTORIC SITE

The House of the Seven Gables Museum Campus was designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 2007. Our seaside campus consists of 2 acres of land, seaside colonial revival gardens, and several historic buildings. In addition to preserving and maintaining our campus, the organization cares for over 3,000 works of art, furnishings, and ephemera as well as an archive with thousands of documents, books, and mixed media.

SUPPORT THE GABLES

Support our mission to be a welcoming, thriving, historic site and community resource that engages people of all backgrounds in our inclusive American story.

There are many ways to support The Gables, including donating, becoming a member, and attending events!

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Salem’s Oldest House, America’s Oldest Home

The Pickering House

We are open for regular Sunday tours as of June 2024.

When seeing Salem, start where it all began. The Pickering Foundation welcomes you to an extraordinary place!

It is not only Salem’s oldest House, but also America’s oldest Home: home to a single family for over three and a half centuries; home to carpenters, farmers, patriots, military leaders, deacons, diplomats, linguists, scientists, and statesmen. And as homes will, it changed with the times.

Built in 1660 by settler John Pickering — a carpenter form Coventry, England — and his wife Elizabeth, it was once just a two-room farmhouse on a vast plot of land that ran all the way down to the seaport on the North River, encompassing what is today Chestnut Street and the McIntire District.

Over the next 350 years, the succeeding John Pickerings and their wives added wings, gables, and Gothic peaks. They raised ceilings, extended the roofline, and created the distinctive fence, to evolve into the warm and gracious home it is today.

You are cordinally invited to come and see a piece of Salem history that is very much alive!

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• Opportunities for docent-led tours of the House by appointment
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Visiting Historic Salem, Massachusetts

The House of the Seven Gables, made famous by Hawthorne.

Let’s get past the whole Witch Trial thing—heaven help you if you’re here anywhere near Halloween, when the city becomes sort of a Goth Woodstock. The world’s fascination with this brief moment in the history of Salem, Massachusetts, overshadows the small city’s architectural reputation. Salem has one of the richest collections of 18th- and early 19th-century architecture and decorative arts in North America. Located just 17 miles northeast of Boston, Salem offers a densely packed, walkable array of attractions, including museums, historic districts, and tangible links to a seafaring past.

An excellent starting point is the Peabody–Essex Museum , which holds an impressive collection of American, Asian, and African art. The museum also includes entire houses, including the Gardner–Pingree House , built in 1804 by the legendary Samuel McIntire. It is replete with period furnishings and decoration. One hugely popular attraction at the Peabody–Essex is not American at all, but rather a large 200-year-old dwelling, Yin Yu Tang , reassembled after being moved here from China. (Schedule your visit in advance; you also may tour the house online.)

A 1762 Georgian, Derby House is the oldest brick house in Salem.

The best way to experience historic Salem is simply to start walking. There are so many wonderful houses, public buildings, and common spaces that you’ll be transported to an earlier time. Salem’s most famous historic dwelling is The House of the Seven Gables , built in 1668 by a sea captain named John Turner. It was home to three generations of his family, and then sold in 1782 to another captain, Samuel Ingersoll, who in turn left the house to his daughter Susanna, a cousin of author Nathaniel Hawthorne; the house provided the setting and title of the author’s famous novel of 1851.

A visit to the McIntire Historic District is a must. The area, which includes the Chestnut Street and Federal Street districts, along with 249 structures on upper Essex, Broad, and Warren Streets, is named for Salem’s celebrated architect–cabinetmaker and preeminent woodcarver Samuel McIntire, who lived at 31 Summer Street. Visit McIntire’s 1782 Peirce-Nichols House (also part of the Peabody–Essex Museum) and see some of his other commissions, including Hamilton Hall (1805). Enjoy an encyclopedic variety of architecture from three centuries; Chestnut Street’s Federal-era town houses are a highlight.

McIntire’s 1782 Peirce–Nichols House.

The Salem Maritime National Historic Site explores the city’s maritime past. Pass historic buildings and the replica of a tall ship as you venture onto Pickering and Derby Wharves to take in the sea. Salem’s historic waterfront includes Winter Island, with Fort Pickering, the Fort Pickering Lighthouse, and activities like camping and boating.

And yes, there is a Salem Witch Museum , though it is not a museum as much as a brief tourist entertainment. But enjoy the wonderful Gothic Revival building, a former church.

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Home » Blog » Uncategorized » Historic Houses to Visit in Salem, Massachusetts

Historic Houses to Visit in Salem, Massachusetts

The House of the Seven Gables

Phillips House

Witch House

Ropes Mansion

Pickman House

Derby House

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Historic House Tours in Salem

Salem  has a rich history of travel and trade (and of course those infamous witch trials) and many historic homes of the area's wealthy merchants have been preserved. Historic house tours in  Salem  offer visitors a peek into how Massachusetts colonists lived and give context to the mass hysteria that resulted in the  Salem  Witch Trials. History buffs or fans of architecture and gardens will love these three historic house tours in  Salem .

Our Top Picks for Historic House Tours in  Salem

The house of the seven gables | 115 derby st,  salem  | (978) 744-0991 .

Named for its unique architectural features, this seventeenth century home  was made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel of the same name. Hawthorne was the cousin of one of the home's residents, Susanna Ingersoll and visited several times. The guided house tour provides education about the lifestyle of the residents at the turn of the century and even takes you through the house's hidden staircase inside the chimney. 

The Witch House | 310 1/2 Essex St,  Salem  | (978) 744-8815

This historic house  was home to Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the magistrates who presided over the Witchcraft Trials of 1692. Corwin lived in the home for more than 40 years and the house was kept in the family until the mid-1800s. It was restored in the mid-1940s and has been maintained as a museum ever since. The house offers some history of the witch trials and life in the 1700s with original artifacts from Judge Corwin's life.

Salem  Pioneer Village | Forest River Park,  Salem  | (978) 744-8815

Spend an afternoon at this living history village  that models life in  Salem  in 1630. With three acres of historic homes and grounds to tour, you'll be immersed in the daily lives of some of this country's earliest English settlers and native people. Culinary and medicinal gardens will woo landscape lovers and activities like blacksmithing and cooking will keep the whole family entertained.

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The distracted wanderer.

"We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment." ~ Hilaire Belloc

"From Shelter to Showpiece": A Tour of Three of the Salem Peabody Essex Museum's Historic Houses

Wonderful virtual tour of Salem's best, Linda--the photos are amazing! You did a great job of capturing all the grandeur of the rooms along with the beautiful details. Makes me want to go!

Me, too! These are so beautiful. I really like the staircase photos. You can just imagine the ladies coming down in all of their finery. Interesting about the green paint! Cobalt is very expensive to buy now, but I haven't bought any in years...maybe green has surpased it since the price of copper is now sky high! I'd love to see that collection of Dutch and Flemish art. One of my favorite periods. Well, I'll finish with my run-out-of-adjective words - Wow! ~~~Blesssings~~~

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Visit historic homes & sites in massachusetts and explore the state and country's past.

Massachusetts is a treasure for adults and kids interested is seeing the history of Puritan, Colonial, and Revolutionary times during a New England vacation. Historic homes and historic sites dating to the 17th and 18th century in Massachusetts cover a huge range, from Boston, MA's Freedom Trail and Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, MA to the Minute Man National Park at Lincoln, MA , in the Merrimack Valley region where the Revolutionary War began. History fans can see reenactments of Revolutionary War battles and visit 19th-century towns like Old Sturbridge Village . The possibilities for a history-themed vacation trip are endless.

Discover Quincy

City of Quincy Welcome Center - 1259 Hancock Street Quincy, MA, 02169 Phone: 617-471-1700

Quincy offers a variety of ways to learn about, and celebrate, the nation’s history

Plimoth Patuxet Museums

137 Warren Avenue Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-746-1622

Museum demonstrates the interwoven history of Indigenous people and Plymouth colonists

Greater Merrimack Valley

61 Market Street, Unit 1C Lowell, MA, 01852 Phone: 978-459-6150

Step through the doorways of these Lexington and Concord homes and walk into history

The House of the Seven Gables

225 Derby Street Salem, MA, 01970 Phone: 978-774-0991

Homes on the waterfront celebrate the rich literary and maritime history of Salem

Old Sturbridge Village

1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, off Route 20 Sturbridge, MA, 01566 Phone: 508-347-3362 Toll-Free: 800-733-1830

Living museum sends visitors back in time to life in a 19th-century New England village

American Heritage Museum

568 Main Street Hudson, MA, 01749 Phone: 978-562-9182

Museum exhibits honor the sacrifices made by veterans in the nation’s battles

BSO - Tanglewood

297 West Street Lenox, MA, 01240 Phone: 617-266-1200

Something for every music-lover at the Boston Symphony’s magnificent summer home

Highfield Hall & Gardens

56 Highfield Drive Falmouth, MA Phone: 508-495-1878

Concord Museum

35 Cambridge Turnpike at Lexington Road Concord, MA, 01742 Phone: 978-369-9763

Museum’s renovated galleries let visitors explore the rich, varied history of Concord

See Plymouth

4 North Street Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-747-0100 Toll-Free: 800-872-1620

A visit to Plymouth means a stroll through the history of 17th-century America

The Freedom Trail

USS Constitution Museum

24 Fifth Street at the Charlestown Navy Yard Charlestown, MA, 02129 Phone: 617-426-1812

Mount Auburn Cemetery

580 Mount Auburn Street Cambridge, MA, 02138 Phone: 617-547-7105

William Cullen Bryant Homestead

207 Bryant Road Cummington, MA, 01027 Phone: 413-532-1631

Old State House (Museum of Boston History)

Corner of State Street and Washington streets Boston, MA Phone: 617-720-1713

John Whipple House and Garden

53 South Main Street Ipswich, MA, 01938 Phone: 978-356-2811

52 Gore Street Waltham, MA, 02453 Phone: 781-894-2798

Gropius House (1938)

68 Baker Bridge Road Lincoln, MA, 01773 Phone: 781-259-8098

Buckman Tavern

1 Bedford Street Lexington, MA Phone: 781–862–5598

Minute Man National Historical Park

210 North Great Road Lincoln, MA, 01773 Phone: 508-369-6993

Longfellow National Historic Site

105 Brattle Street Cambridge, MA, 02138 Phone: 617-876-4491

Christ Church

Garden Street Cambridge, MA, 02138 Phone: 617-876-0200

Seamen's Bethel

15 Johnny Cake Hill New Bedford, MA Phone: 508-992-3295

Massachusetts State House

Beacon Street at Park Street Boston, MA Phone: 617-727-3676

Jackson Homestead

527 Washington Street Newton, MA, 02458 Phone: 617-796-1450

Gingerbread Cottages of Oak Bluffs

Paul Revere House

19 North Square Boston, MA, 02113 Phone: 617-523-2338

Old North Church & Historic Site

193 Salem Street Boston, MA, 02113 Phone: 617-523-6676

Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum

306 Congress Street Boston, MA, 02210 Phone: 617-338-1773 Toll-Free: 855-832-1773

You Are There!

5 Prospect Hill Road Stockbridge, MA, 01262 Phone: 413-298-8138

Faneuil Hall and Faneuil Hall Marketplace

1 South Market Street Boston, MA, 02109 Phone: 617-523-1300

Orchard House - Home of Louisa May Alcott

399 Lexington Road Concord, MA, 01742 Phone: 978-369-4118

John F. Kennedy Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park

Ocean Street and Gosnold streets Hyannis, MA Phone:

Brooks Academy Museum

80 Parallel Street Harwich Center, MA, 02645 Phone: 508-432-8089

Abiel Smith School (1834)

46 Joy Street Boston, MA, 02114 Phone: 617-720-0753

Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum

1 High Pole Hill Road Provincetown, MA Phone: 508-487-1310

Vestal Street Nantucket, MA Phone:

Plymouth Rock

79 Water Street Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone:

Mayflower Society Museum

4 Winslow Street Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-746-2590

Shrine of Divine Mercy

Eden Hill Stockbridge, MA Phone: 413-298-3931

Old South Meeting House

310 Washington Street Boston, MA, 02108 Phone: 617-482-6439

Winslow Crocker House (1780)

250 Main Street Yarmouth Port, MA, 02675 Phone: 617-994-6661

New England Holocaust Memorial

98 Union Street Boston, MA, 02129 Phone: 617-457-8755

Otis House Museum

141 Cambridge Street Boston, MA, 02114 Phone: 617-277-3956

Granary Burying Ground

Tremont Street between Park and School Streets Boston, MA, 02116 Phone:

Copp's Hill Burial Ground

45 Hull Street Boston, MA, 02113 Phone: 617-635-7361

Highland House Museum

6 Highland Light Road Truro, MA, 02666 Phone: 508-487-3397

Bunker Hill Monument

Monument Square at Boston National Historical Park Charlestown, MA, 02129 Phone: 617-242-5641

The Old Whaling Church

89 Main Street Edgartown, on Martha's Vineyard, MA, 02539 Phone: 508-627-4442

Boston Common

Bounded by Tremont, Beacon, Charles, Park and Boylston streets Boston, MA, 02116 Phone:

African Meeting House in Boston (1806)

Smith Court at Joy Street Boston, MA, 02114 Phone: 617-742-5415

Lawrence Heritage State Park

1 Jackson Street Lawrence, MA, 01840 Phone: 978-794-1655

Mayhew Chapel and Indian Burial Ground

Christiantown Road Vineyard Haven, MA, 02568 Phone: 508-627-8687

American Antiquarian Society

185 Salisbury Street Worcester, MI Phone: 508-755-5221

Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm (1690)

5 Little’s Lane Newbury, MA, 01951 Phone: 978-462-2634

Plimoth Grist Mill (formerly Jenney Grist Mill)

6 Spring Lane Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone:

780 Holmes Road Pittsfield, MA Phone: 413-442-1793

Emily Dickinson House

280 Main Street Amherst, MA Phone: 413-542-8161

Wistariahurst Museum

238 Cabot Street Holyoke, MA, 01040 Phone: 413-322-5660

Unitarian Meeting House & Church

11 Orange Street Nantucket, MA, 02554 Phone: 508-228-5466

150 Prospect Street Nantucket, MA Phone:

Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum

158 Polpis Road Nantucket, MA, 02554 Phone: 508-228-2505

Mitchell House

1 Vestal Street Nantucket, MA, 02554 Phone: 508-228-2896

African Meeting House in Nantucket

29 York Street Nantucket, MA, 02554 Phone: 508-228-4058

Martin House Farm

22 Stoney Hill Road at Route 6 Swansea, MA Phone: 617-742-3190

Flying Horses Carousel

15 Lake Avenue Oak Bluffs, on Martha's Vineyard, MA Phone:

Mayflower II

State Pier Plymouth, MA Phone: 508-746-1622

Clara Barton Birthplace Museum

66 Clara Barton Road North Oxford, MA Phone: 508-987-2056

Forefathers Monument

Allerton Street Plymouth, MA Phone: 508-746-1620

Springfield Armory National Historic Site

1 Armory Square Springfield, MA Phone: 413-734-8551

The Mount -- Home of Edith Wharton

Plunkett Street Lenox, MA Phone: 413-551-5111

Mary Baker Eddy House

23 Paradise Road Swampscott, MA Phone: 781-599-1853

Battleship Massachusetts

Battleship Cove, 5 Water St Fall River, MA Phone: 508-678-1100

Salem Heritage Trail

Pioneer village: salem in 1630.

Forest River Park, Shore Avenue Salem, MA Phone: 508-745-0525

Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum

396 County Street New Bedford, MA, 02740 Phone: 508-997-1401

Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum

67 East Road Adams, MA Phone: 413-743-7121

Coffin House (1678)

14 High Road Newburyport, MA, 01951 Phone: 978-462-2634

Jeremiah Lee Mansion

161 Washington Street Marblehead, MA, 01945 Phone: 617-631-1069

Beauty and history

Fort Sewall

Front Street, Route 114 Marblehead, MA Phone:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

290 Argilla Road Ipswich, MA, 01938 Phone: 978-356-4351

La Salette Shrine

947 Park Street, Route 118 Attleboro, MA, 02703 Phone: 508-222-5410

Rocky Hill Meetinghouse

4 Old Portsmouth Road Amesbury, MA, 01913 Phone: 978-462-2634

Stonehurst, The Robert Treat Paine Estate

100 Robert Treat Paine Drive Waltham, MA, 02452 Phone: 781-314-3290

Codman Estate (1740)

34 Codman Road Lincoln, MA, 01773 Phone: 617-994-6690

The Wayside

455 Lexington Road Concord, MA Phone: 978-369-6993

Munroe Tavern

1332 Massachusetts Avenue Lexington, MA Phone: 617-674-9238

Harvard University

50 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA, 02138 Phone: 617-495-1000

Schooner Ernestina

State Pier New Bedford, MA, 02740 Phone: 508-992-4900

Trinity Church (MA)

206 Clarendon Street Boston, MA, 02116 Phone: 617-536-0944

Harlow Old Fort House

119 Sandwich Street Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-746-0012

Chesterwood

Williamsville Road, one mile south of Routes 183 and 102 Stockbridge, MA, 01262 Phone: 413-298-3579

Winslow House

Careswell and Webster streets Marshfield, MA Phone: 617-837-5753

Cogswell's Grant (1728)

60 Spring Street Essex, MA Phone: 978-768-3632

Paragon Carousel

205 Nantasket Avenue Hull, MA Phone: 617-925-0472

Lowell National Historical Park

246 Market Street Lowell, MA Phone: 508-970-5000

Bidwell House

Art School Road Monterey, MA, 01245 Phone: 413-528-6888

Historic Deerfield

88 Old Main Street Deerfield, MA, 01342 Phone: 413-775-7214

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

244 Central Street Saugus, MA Phone: 617-233-0050

Fall River Carousel

At Battleship Cove, 5 Water Street Fall River, MA Phone: 508-678-1100

Witch House

310 1/2 Essex Street Salem, MA Phone: 508-744-8815

Alden House Historic Site

105 Alden Street, Duxbury, MA Phone: 781-934-9092

Phillips House (1821)

34 Chestnut Street Salem, MA, 01970 Phone: 508-744-0440

Abbott Hall (Marblehead City Hall)

188 Washington Street Marblehead, MA Phone: 781-631-0000

Quaker Meeting House

7 Fair Street Nantucket, MA, 02554 Phone: 508-228-1894

Stevens-Coolidge Place

139 Andover Street North Andover, MA, 01845 Phone: 978-682-3580

Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate

2468B Washington Street / Route 138 Canton, MA, 02021 Phone: 781-821-2977

sprawling gardens on an historic estate

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Bedford Street (Route 62) near Monument Street Concord, MA Phone: 978-318-3233

269 Monument Street Concord, MA, 01742 Phone: 978-369-3909

Adams National Historic Park

Newport Avenue & Adams Street Quincy, MA, 02169 Phone: 617-773-1177

John F. Kennedy Birthplace

83 Beals Street Brookline, MA Phone: 617-566-7937

Park Street Church

1 Park Street Boston, MA, 02108 Phone: 617-523-3383

Captain Bangs Hallet House

11 Strawberry Lane (off Route 6A) Yarmouth Port, MA, 02675 Phone: 508-362-3021

First Congregational Church in Wellfleet

200 Main Street Wellfleet, MA, 02667 Phone: 508-349-6877

King's Chapel

58 Tremont Street Boston, MA, 02108 Phone: 617-523-1749

Mission House

19 Main Street Stockbridge, MA, 01263 Phone: 413-298-3239

Walk starts at Old State House, 206 Washington Street Boston, MA Phone: 617-482-1722

Osterville Historical Society Museum / Capt. Jonathan Parker House

Parker and West Bay Roads Osterville, MA, 02655 Phone: 508-428-5861

Chatham Railroad Museum

Depot Road Chatham, MA, 02633 Phone:

Eastham Windmill

2515 State Highway Eastham, MA Phone: 508-255-1798

Memorial Hall Museum

8 Memorial Street Deerfield, MA, 01342 Phone: 413-774-7476

Old Atwood House

347 Stage Harbor Road Chatham, MA Phone: 508-945-2493

Black Heritage Trail

46 Joy Street Boston, MA, 02114 Phone: 617-742-5415

Old Burial Ground

Corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Garden Street Cambridge, MA, 02140 Phone:

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• Pre-Colonial Mass
• 17th Century Mass
• 18th Century Mass
• 19th Century Mass

10 Historic Homes You Can Visit in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has many beautiful and historic homes. From first period houses to Federal-style and Victorian houses, there’s a wide range of history associated with these houses. Some of them were even once stops on the Underground Railroad during the 19 th century.

Fortunately, many of these homes are also open to the public as historic house museums. Just a reminder though, some of these houses are temporarily closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic so check their websites for info before you visit them.

If you are interested in unique homes, there are also a number of castles in Massachusetts that you can visit too.

The following is a list of 10 historic homes you can visit in Massachusetts:

Fairbanks House:

Address: 511 East St, Dedham, MA. Website: fairbankshouse.org

Built in 1637, the Fairbanks House is considered the oldest timber frame structure in America. The house was built for Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks and their children, who had emigrated from Yorkshire, England in 1633.

The house stayed in the Fairbanks family for over eight generations until 1895 when it was sold to local realtor John Crowley.

In 1897, Crowley almost tore down the home but it was saved when Mrs J. Amory Codman and her daughter Martha decided to buy it.

There is evidence that various residents of the house practiced folk magic in the house, placing hex marks and various objects throughout the house to ward off witches, illness and evil spirits.

In 1904, the Fairbanks Family in America, Inc was formed and took possession of the house, opening it as a historic house museum in 1905.

Paul Revere House:

Address: 19 N Square, Boston, MA. Website: www.paulreverehouse.org

Built about 1680, the Paul Revere House is a first period house that is considered the oldest house in downtown Boston. The land where the house now sits used to be the location of the Second Church of Boston’s parsonage, where Reverend Increase Mather and his son Reverend Cotton Mather once lived.

The Paul Revere House was built by Robert Howard, a wealthy slave merchant, before it was eventually purchased by Paul Revere in 1770. Revere lived in the home during the American Revolution and started his famous midnight ride there.

Revere sold the house in 1800 and it passed between various owners throughout the 19 th century until it eventually became run down and was set for demolition in 1901. That same year, the house was saved when Revere’s great-grandson, John P. Reynolds, purchased the home for $12,000.

In 1906, a group of concerned citizens purchased the home from Reynolds in 1906 and opened it as a historic house museum in 1908. The Paul Revere House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

Rebecca Nurse Homestead

Address: 149 Pine Street, Danvers, Mass. Website: www.rebeccanurse.org

Built in 1678, the Rebecca Nurse Homestead is a first period house in Danvers, Mass, where Salem Witch Trials victims Rebecca Nurse lived. Nurse was actually arrested at the house on March 24, 1692, and immediately brought to the Salem Village Meetinghouse for her examination.

The home is a saltbox-style house that originally featured only four rooms but was later expanded when a lean-to kitchen was added to the back of the building in the 18 th century. In 1820, the lean-to was expanded and was renovated again in the early 1900s.

The homestead remained in the Nurse family until 1784 when it was sold to Phinehas Putnam. It remained in the Putnam family for the next 124 years.

In 1908, the Putnam family sold the homestead to the newly created Rebecca Nurse Memorial Association, who restored it to its original 17 th century appearance and opened it as a house museum in 1909.

In 1926, the association donated the house to the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (Now known as Historic New England).

In 1981, the Danvers Alarm List Company, a volunteer group of 18th century living history reenactors that portray the militia, purchased the homestead and renovated it by removing modern fixtures and building period fencing.

Salem Witch House

Address: 310 Essex St, Salem, MA. Website: witchhouse.info

Built in the mid 1670s, the Salem Witch House is a first period house in Salem, Mass, where one of the judges in the Salem Witch Trials, Jonathan Corwin lived. The house was originally built for Captain Richard Danvenport but he moved to Boston before he finished building it.

In 1675, Davenport sold the partially constructed house to Corwin who completed it and moved in with his family.

Corwin lived in the house until his death in 1718 and the house remained in the Corwin family until 1850 when it was sold to a pharmacist named George Farrington who added a small pharmacy to the side of the building.

In the 18 th and 19 th century, historians believed the home was originally owned by banished Puritan minister Roger Williams but this turned out to be incorrect when it was discovered that the house was built in the 1670s, which was decades after Williams had been banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636.

The house was slated for demolition in 1944 when the street it is located on needed to be widened. A group of local citizens formed an organization called Historic Salem Inc and raised the necessary funds to move the house back 35 feet from the street.

The house was also restored to its original 17 th century appearance and opened as a historic house museum in 1946.

House of Seven Gables

Address: 115 Derby St, Salem, MA. Website: 7gables.org

Built in 1668, the House of Seven Gables is a first period house made famous by the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel of the same name.

The house was built for Captain John Turner, which is why it is also known as the Turner House or the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, and was originally a two-room, 2 1/2 story house with a front porch and a central chimney. A few years after it was built, a kitchen lean-to was added to back of the house.

The house remained in the Turner family for three generations until Captain Samuel Ingersoll purchased it in 1782. Ingersoll removed four of the gables and renovated the house into a more modern Federal-style home.

Ingersoll died in 1804 and his daughter Susanna Ingersoll inherited it. Susanna was the second cousin of Nathaniel Hawthorne and often invited him over for visits. It was these frequent visits to the house that inspired Hawthorne to write his famous novel, The House of Seven Gables, in 1851.

The Ingersoll family eventually lost the house to creditors in 1879 and it was then owned by absentee landlords until 1883 when the Upton family purchased it and opened it up for tours.

In 1908, a philanthropist named Caroline Emmerton purchased the house and continued to run it as a historic house museum, using the proceeds to fund the House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association which assisted immigrant families who were settling in Salem. Emmerton worked with architect Joseph Everett Chandler to restore the house to its perceived original appearance.

Emily Dickinson Homestead

Address: 280 Main St, Amherst, MA. Website: www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org

Built about 1813, the Emily Dickinson Homestead is a two-family Federal-style house where poet Emily Dickinson lived in the 19 th century.

The homestead was originally built for Emily’s grandparents, Samuel Fowler Dickinson and Lucretia Gunn Dickinson.

In 1830, their eldest son Edward Dickinson moved into the western half of the house with his wife, Emily Norcross Dickinson, and their son Austin. Later that year, in December, they had a daughter, Emily Elizabeth Dickinson.

In 1833, the Dickinson Homestead was sold to local general store owner David Mack and Emily’s grandparents moved to Ohio. Emily’s family continued to live in the western half of the house until 1840 when Edward purchased a house on Pleasant Street. In 1855, David Mack died and Edward purchased the Dickinson homestead.

The Dickinsons built a brick addition on the back of the house for the kitchen and laundry, added a cupola, a veranda and a conservatory.

Emily Dickinson never married and lived in the house until she died in 1886. Her sister, Lavinia, lived in the house until 1899 and then left the house to Austin’s daughter, Martha Dickinson Bianchi, who leased it to tenants until 1916, when it was sold to the Parke family.

In 1963, the house was designated a National Historic Landmark and, in 1965, the Parke family sold it to the Trustees of Amherst College, who opened it as a historic house museum.

Lizzie Borden House

Address: 230 2nd St, Fall River, MA. Website: lizzie-borden.com

Built in the mid-1840s, the Lizzie Borden House is a Greek Revival-style house where Lizzie Borden parent’s were murdered in 1892.

Lizzie’s father, Andrew Borden, purchased the house in 1874 and lived there with his daughters, Lizzie and Emma, and their stepmother Abby Durfee Gray, whom he married three years after his first wife, Sarah, died in 1863.

After Andrew and Abby were found bludgeoned to death in the house on August 4, 1892, Lizzie was arrested and sent to the county jail for nine months to await her trail. In June of 1893, Lizzie was tried for their murders but was ultimately acquitted of all charges.

After the trial, Lizzie returned to the Borden house temporarily before purchasing a large Victorian home in The Hill neighborhood of Fall River on August 10 and moved there with her sister. They never returned to the Borden House again.

On August 4, 1948, a couple purchased the house and raised their family there. They later left the house to their granddaughter, Martha McGinn, who began operating it as a bed and breakfast and opened it to the public for tours in 1994.

In 2004, Lee-ann Wilber bought the house and continues to operate it as bed and breakfast with tours available to the public.

Orchard House

Address: 399 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA. Website: louisamayalcott.org

Built around 1650, Orchard House is a first period house where author Louisa May Alcott lived with her family when she wrote her famous novel, Little Women, in the 19 th century.

Louisa’s father, Amos Bronson Alcott, bought the house in 1857 and expanded it by moving a small tenant farmhouse to the property and adding it to the back of the larger house.

Amos also built a school on the property, known as the Concord School of Philosophy, which he operated from 1879 to 1888. That building also still stands today.

The Alcotts lived in Orchard House until 1877 when Louisa purchased a house on Maine Street in Concord.

In 1884, the Alcotts sold Orchard House to a friend named William Torrey Harris.

Orchard House opened to the public for tours in 1912, was designated a National Historical Landmark in 1962 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

Virtual tours of the house are available on the Orchard House website.

Jackson Homestead

Address: 527 Washington St, Newton, MA. Website: newtonma.gov/gov/historic/visit/jackson_homestead_and_museum/default.asp

Built in 1809, the Jackson Homestead is a Federal-style two family house built for Timothy Jackson and his family on the Jackson farm which was established in 1646.

In 1809, Timothy Jackson decided to replace the original homestead with the more modern house that still stands today. Jackson built the house as a two family home in the hopes that his son Edmund would move into it if he married.

After Timothy’s death in 1814, the estate was divided among his sons and William Jackson struck a deal with his brothers in which he received the homestead.

William lived in the house from 1820 until his death. As an abolitionist, William opened the house up as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

The house continued to be occupied by the Jackson family until 1932 when it was rented out.

In 1949, the house was donated to the City of Newton and in 1950 it opened as the Newton History Museum.

In 1973, the homestead was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Old House at Peacefield

Address: 135 Adams St, Quincy, MA. Website: www.nps.gov/adam/learn/historyculture/places.htm

Built in 1731, Old House at Peacefield served as the residence of John Adams and his family for four generations from 1788 to 1927.

The house was originally built for Leonard Vassall, a sugar-planter from Jamaica. Vassal was a loyalist who abandoned the house when he fled the country for England after the Battle of Lexington in 1775.

The Adams family purchased the house in 1787, while they were still living in London, and moved in a year later when they returned to America.

At the time that they purchased the house, it was much smaller and consisted of only two rooms on the ground floors, two bedrooms upstairs and an attic. Over the next 12 years, the Adams’ expanded the house, creating an addition with a hallway and large parlor on the ground floor and a large study above.

After Charles Francis Adams returned to the U.S. in 1868 from his ambassadorial term in Britain, he made even further additions to the house, including building the Stone library in 1873.

The Adams family donated the house to the U.S. government in 1946 and its now open to the public as a part of the Adams National Historical Park.

The house has become an increasingly popular tourist attraction over the last few decades due to the publication of David McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography “John Adams” in 2001 and the John Adams miniseries on HBO in 2008.

For more info on historical places in Massachusetts, check out these articles on historic sites in Massachusetts and historic towns in Massachusetts .

Sources: “Orchard House.” American Heritage, americanheritage.com/content/orchard-house Hageman, William. “Lizzie Borden – and tourism – still haunts Fall River.” Seattle Times, 26 Oct. 2015, seattletimes.com/life/travel/lizzie-borden-and-tourism-still-haunts-fall-river/ Lambert, Lane. “Adams Park at 70: Once a House, Now a Brand.” The Patriot Ledger, 22 April.2016, patriotledger.com/article/20160422/NEWS/160428170 Parr, James L. Dedham: Historic and Heroic Tales from Shiretown. The History Press, 2009. “Family History.” FairbanksHouse, fairbankshouse.org/about-history

2 thoughts on “ 10 Historic Homes You Can Visit in Massachusetts ”

The Oliver House in Middleboro is another great place to visit!

Thr Fairbanks house is my ancestral home. Have visited it several times and the tours are excellant! Great information provided and it is well kept!

Comments are closed.

Historical Walking Tour

The TRUTH is scarier than the LEGENDS !

1692 Salem Ma. Tours

Welcome to Salem, Massachusetts, a historic city on the New England coast famous for its rich and complex history that goes far beyond the infamous Salem Witch Trials. At 1692 Before and After , we do more than guide you through the city; we take you on an unforgettable journey spanning 400 years, from the Witch Trials’ mysteries to key events before the Revolutionary War and more. Join us to feel the past come alive, exploring the deep stories that have shaped Salem into the captivating place it is today.

A Journey Through Time

Our tours are meticulously crafted for those who seek to visit historical landmarks and immerse themselves in the stories that shaped them. Unlike the conventional narratives retold by many Salem witch tours, 1692 Before and After delves into the nuanced accounts of the witch trials, shedding light on the victims and accusers alike and bringing forward the humanity and complexity of their stories. This unique approach offers a perspective seldom considered or discussed by other tours, making our 1692 Salem MA tours an invaluable experience for history enthusiasts.

Why should you take our 1692 Salem Witch Trials Tours?

1692 Before and After stands apart by emphasizing not just the historical events themselves but the lingering echoes they leave behind. Our tours are designed to provoke thought, stir emotions, and inspire a deeper appreciation for Salem’s rich and complex history. Whether you’re looking for Salem day tours, Salem night tours, or a comprehensive Salem history tour, join us as we step back in time to uncover the stories that lie at the heart of Salem. Discover the city’s haunting history, its tales of adversity and resilience, and the indelible marks they’ve left on the present. Our 1692 Salem Witch Trials Tour is your gateway to a past that is both profound and poignant, a journey that promises to be as enlightening as it is unforgettable.

Explore Salem With Us

Our 1692 Salem Ma. tours will take you on a journey past the following sights. Though we won’t be able to take you into the building, you will hear the stories that make these locations so historically significant to Salem.

The Witch House

Salem's First Church

The Rope's Mansion

The Samantha Statue

The Howard Street Cemetery

St. Peter's Church

Armory Park

The Salem Witch Trial Memorial

Old Burying Point Cemetery

Make the Most of Your Journey

Duration and Walking Distance

Prepare for a journey that spans approximately 2 hours and covers just under 2 miles. This leisurely pace is designed to give you ample time to absorb the rich history and haunting beauty of Salem. We’ve carefully planned the route to ensure it’s accessible for most fitness levels, allowing everyone to participate in this immersive historical experience.

1692 Salem Ma. Tours Logistics

Our 1692 Salem Ma. Tours is not just about stepping back into history; it’s about experiencing the narrative of Salem in a way that is both engaging and enlightening. To ensure you make the most of this journey, here are the logistics you’ll need to know:

Our journey through time begins at 272 Essex Street , where the tour will form at the corner of Essex and Sewall Streets . Here, in the heart of Salem, you’ll meet your knowledgeable guide and fellow history enthusiasts. We recommend arriving 15 minutes early to ensure you’re ready to embark on the tour promptly.

The tour will conclude at the Salem Witch Trial Memorial on Liberty Street, a poignant site that offers a moment of reflection on the events we’ve explored together. The memorial’s location also places you conveniently near other historic sites and local eateries, allowing you to continue your exploration of Salem or to relax and discuss the day’s discoveries.

Why Choose 1692 Before and After

In a city woven with the threads of history, 1692 Before and After stands out as a beacon for those eager to delve deeper into the fabric of Salem’s past. Our tours are more than mere walks; they are immersive journeys designed to connect you with the souls and stories that have defined this iconic location.

Here’s why 1692 Before and After is the premier choice for exploring Salem’s haunting history:

Unparalleled Historical Insight

With us, you’re not just observing history; you’re engaging with it. Our tours are meticulously researched, offering a depth of knowledge and insight that goes beyond the surface. We bring to light the stories of the victims, the accusers, and the bystanders, providing a multifaceted perspective on the Salem Witch Trials and other significant historical events.

A Unique Narrative Experience

Our narrative approach sets us apart, offering a tour that weaves together the tales of the past with the fabric of the present. We offer a story seldom heard, delving into lesser-known aspects of Salem’s history and connecting them to the broader American experience. This unique narrative experience ensures that our guests leave with a richer understanding of Salem’s place in history.

Engaging and Accessible

The 1692 Salem Ma. Tours is designed to be engaging and accessible to all. With a manageable distance and duration, we ensure that guests of all ages and abilities can comfortably participate. Our guides are passionate storytellers, skilled at bringing history to life in a way that captivates and educates.

A Foundation for Further Exploration

Our tour doesn’t just end at the final stop; it lays the groundwork for further exploration and reflection. Guests leave equipped with the knowledge and context to appreciate Salem’s historical sites in a new light. We encourage further exploration and provide recommendations for guests to continue their journey through Salem’s rich history.

Choosing 1692 Before and After is choosing an experience that will enrich your understanding of the past, challenge your perceptions, and leave you with a profound appreciation for the complexities of history. Join us as we explore the shadows and stories of Salem and discover why our 1692 Salem Ma tours are an essential part of any visit to this historic city.

Tour Info and Location

272 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970

The Hermetic Arts Center has a store with a variety of products as well as the best Readings in Salem .

Get $5 off of a Reading by purchasing a tour ticket.

www.hermeticarts.com

Ingersoll's Tavern

Our mission is to spread the word about the deteriorating condition of this historic house and to work together to save it. We’ve started a Facebook group to bring together people who love history and those in the local community who want to see this house saved and brought back to life. This group will be a place where we can support the efforts of the Town of Danvers and the Danvers Historical Society as they work hard to make sure this house has a future in the community. Please consider joining our group and supporting preserving this house and its history.

The Final Resting Place of the 20 Victims

The question of where Salem’s accused witches were buried has been asked for centuries, and the absence of marked graves is surprising. The truth is that convicted witches were not allowed to receive a proper Christian burial in cemeteries. According to eyewitnesses, the nineteen accused witches who were hanged were left in shallow graves at Proctors Ledge. In some cases, the graves they were put in were so shallow that body parts could be seen sticking out of the dirt.

20 Best Things To Do In Salem Ma [Visit Salem]

Planning a vacation to Salem, Ma. ?  Here are the best sights and activities to add to the to-do list.

5 Big Misconceptions About the 1692 Salem Witch Trials

Whether you grew up in Massachusetts or you’re here on vacation, you most likely know about this city’s rich history. But is your knowledge fact or fiction?

3 Common Questions About The 1692 Salem Witch Trials

What was the real reason for the Salem Witch Trials? How many died in the Salem Witch Trials? How did the Salem Witch Trials end?

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10 Destinations In Massachusetts With Free Historic Landmarks

• One of the favorite free things to do in Massachusetts is exploring its historical landmarks, offering the chance to discover early American history without paying a single penny. Fortunately, there are lots of destinations in Massachusetts where you can see historic landmarks for free.
• Towns like Concord, Northampton, Great Barrington, Salem, Nantucket Island, Amherst, Plymouth, and Brookline offer a number of free historic sites in Massachusetts, including admission-free sites and museums.
• From Walden Pond and North Bridge in Concord to the Jethro Coffin House on Nantucket Island, there are plenty of free historic attractions in Massachusetts to visit.

For anyone looking to take a deeper dive into the history of America, a visit to Massachusetts should be at the top of the list. From the landing of the Mayflower to the establishment of one of America's oldest cities, this state has been the staging place for so many of the historical events that shaped modern America.

The great news is that even travelers on a budget can explore its history; Massachusetts offers lots of free historical monuments, museums, and landmarks that charge nothing at all to see and enjoy.

Of course, there are so many reasons to visit this state besides learning about American history; spending summers in the coastal beach towns in Massachusetts and viewing the majestic fall foliage spots in the Bay State are just a few of the many things that bring people to this scenic part of New England. Still, the historical side of the state is a major draw and makes it truly a unique part of the USA.

Whether travelers are looking for an affordable vacation or simply a few cost-free things to do on the weekend, everyone can immerse themselves in the events that changed the course of US history without breaking the bank by visiting these zero-charge historically significant landmarks and free historic monuments in Massachusetts.

Underrated, But Scenic: This Small Town In Massachusetts Is A Great Alternative To Boston

Walden pond, north bridge.

Concord is located just 25 miles outside of Boston and is home to a historic site sought out by poets and naturalists alike. Walden Pond is a lush reservation where visitors can hike, swim, boat, and enjoy a beautiful afternoon in nature without spending any money.

Step into the world that formed Henry David Thoreau's Walden , and be sure to visit the replica of his cabin! Visitors might also like to take a stroll across Concord's North Bridge , the very site where America's war for independence began.

• Walden Pond Hours of Operation: Sunday - Saturday, 7am - 5pm
• Dog Friendly?: No
• Facilities: Parking, Restrooms, Boat ramp, Picnic area, Visitor's center

Northampton

Historic northampton.

North Hampton is a quaint town in Massachusetts full of shops, excellent food, and activities for the whole family. Immerse in the rich history of this town with a trip to the Historic North Hampton Museum.

This donation-based museum hosts programming, Zoom talks, interactive activities, and so much more for the public. People can visit several historic properties in addition to the museum, although admission to other activities may come with a fee; however, they're offered on a sliding scale in an effort to make the experience affordable for everyone.

• Historic Northampton Hours of Operation: Wed - Sun, 12pm - 4pm
• Facilities: Museum facilities, Parking
• Address: Historic Northampton, 46 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA 01060-2406

10 Best Cheap Hotels In Massachusetts For Budget-Friendly Travel Options

Cape cod rail trail, historic lighthouses, marconi wireless station.

The Cape Cod National Seashore is a fantastic place to spend the summer enjoying sandy beaches, sunshine, and quaint towns. While there is a fee to enter the National Seashore Park, there are many free historic attractions worth seeing on the Cape.

Take a walk or a ride down the scenic Cape Cod Rail Trail in Brewster's Nickerson State Park, one of the most incredible Eastern Coast trails , to access panoramic views and local treasures. Or consider visiting one of the many lighthouses .

Plus, explore the Marconi Wireless Station to see where the first transatlantic message was transmitted from, or swing by the French Cable Station Museum to discover how this station was a communication hub during World War I.

• Cape Cod Rail Trail Hours of Operation: Dawn to Dusk
• Dog Friendly?: Yes
• Facilities: Bike rentals, Scenic viewing area, Restrooms
• Address: Nickerson State Park, 3488 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631

Nickerson State Park charges for parking from Memorial Day to October 31st, but the Rail Trail has many trailheads. For a list of free parking lots, visit the "parking" section !

Great Barrington

W.e.b du bois national historic site, walking tour.

Great Barrington is among the many great places to experience fall foliage in Massachusetts every year. While visiting the area, spend some time visiting the town's free historical sights!

Witness the places that influenced civil rights advocate W.E.B Du Bois; visitors can take a self-guided tour of his home and other significant locations to learn about his life and work. In the summer, free guided tours are offered as well!

Additionally, visitors can follow a self-guided historical walking tour of Great Barrington created by the Great Barrington Historic District Commission and the Great Barrington Historical Society to take a deeper look into the foundations of the town. This tour offers a glimpse into what the town used to look like, allowing people to peek into life in the 1800s.

• W.E.B Du Bois Homeplace Hours of Operation: Dawn to dusk
• Dog Friendly?: Dogs allowed in outdoor spaces
• Facilities: Visitor center, Parking
• Address: 612 S Egremont Rd, Great Barrington, MA

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Salem might be best known for its witchy history, but history fans won't want to miss America's very first national historical site: Salem Maritime National Historic Site! Between the visitor's center and the park grounds, the site is brimming with free and fascinating historical experiences for the whole family.

Explore the wharf, wander through the gardens, or even step aboard a replica tall ship. Of course, the best time to visit this spooky town is in October, when visitors can experience the Halloween Haunted Happenings in Salem !

Plus, there are plenty of ghost tours in Salem during the spooky season, some of which are free! Meanwhile, those who do have a bit of spare funds to spend can do so at Salem's many witchy shops .

• Salem Maritime National Historic Site Hours of Operation: Park grounds are open 24/7
• Dog Friendly?: Pets are welcome in the outdoor spaces, service animals are allowed inside buildings
• Facilities: Visitor center, Restrooms, Park store
• Address: Salem Armory Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA 01970

Hawthorne Hotel: What To Know About Staying In Salem's Most Historic Haunt

Nantucket island, jethro coffin house.

Nantucket Island is a quaint island getaway surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, and it also happens to be home to a number of Massachusetts' free historic landmarks. Here, people can visit the Jethro Coffin House, the oldest house that's still standing on its original site.

This structure was built in 1686 and shows off the architecture of the time. Visitors can explore the gardens, which have been restored to what they would have looked like in the 1700s and are maintained without the use of modern fertilizers.

The island is also speckled with lighthouses that people can visit without charge. Discover the beacons that were used to guide ships safely to shore on this beautiful island!

• Jethro Coffin House Hours of Operation: Wed - Sat, 11am - 4pm
• Dog Friendly?: Service animals only
• Facilities: None
• Address: 16 Sunset Hill, Nantucket, MA

Mead Art Museum, Mount Holyoke State Park, Amherst Farmers Market

Amherst, Massachusetts, is another one of the numerous places in Massachusetts with free historic landmarks; notably, it's widely known as being the home of Emily Dickinson and is well worth the visit to see her museum and home . While these exhibits do charge admission, there are other free activities that people can find in this treasured New England town.

Nestled in the heart of Amherst College is the Mead Art Museum, where visitors can view the current exhibits at no charge. Walk around campus and discover the rich history behind this 200-year-old college. Those still looking to stretch their legs can take a hike up Mount Norwottuck and witness free views of the Pioneer Valley!

• Mead Art Museum Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Sunday, 9am - 5pm
• Dog Friendly?:
• Facilities: Restrooms, Drinking fountains, Service animals welcome, Handicap accessible
• Address: 41 Quadrangle Drive in Amherst, MA, 01002

Plymouth Rock, National Monument of the Forefathers

Witness the place where modern America began. Plymouth, Massachusetts, is well-known for being the landing site of the Mayflower. Take a trip to Pilgrim Memorial State Park and see the Plymouth Rock itself, or explore the Pilgrim Trail and walk in the footsteps of the founders of America.

Visitors also won't want to miss the National Monument of the Forefathers , a stunning, 81-foot tall granite monument built to honor the passengers of the Mayflower.

• Pilgrim State Park Hours of Operation: Sunrise to sunset
• Facilities: Parking, Restrooms
• Address: 79 Water St., Plymouth, MA 02360

Pilgrim State Park requires a parking fee. They offer 2-hour parking from 9 am – 7 pm at $1.25 an hour from April 1 - November 30.

John F. Kennedy Birthplace

Brookline is a town outside the bustle of Boston and is the birthplace of President John F. Kennedy. Visit his home and learn about the life, motivation, and work of America's 35th president. Best of all, this national historic site is completely free to the public.

Brookline also offers museums, parks, and theaters that are worth checking out, including a farmer's market visitors won't want to miss!

• John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site Hours of Operation: Seasonal Hours
• Facilities: Visitor center, Handicap accessible
• Address: 83 Beals Street, Brookline, MA 02446

Charlestown Navy Yard, Bunker Hill Monument

Boston, one of the oldest cities in America , is jam-packed with historic sites, many of which are free to visit. It can be overwhelming navigating a trip to this expensive city, but there are many free attractions in Boston the history buff won't want to miss.

Explore the Charlestown Navy Yard , where visitors can walk the decks of two historic ships, or climb up the Bunker Hill Monument to commemorate the historic battle that took place in 1775.

For a more immersive experience, follow the Boston Freedom Trail , where visitors can explore a plethora of museums, monuments, burial grounds, and so much more without necessarily spending anything.

• Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center Hours of Operation: 10am - 4pm (Closed Mon-Tues)
• Facilities: Museum, Restrooms, Parking

While planning a trip, booking one of Boston's many historic hotels is the ideal choice for history fans.