Salem, a beautiful city located on the Massachusetts coastline, stands as a historical treasure trove, with a rich and diverse past. From its early days as a bustling maritime port to its pivotal role in the Salem witch trials, the city’s history is a tapestry of intriguing stories and cultural influences.
Salem’s historic charm is vividly displayed through its remarkable array of tourist attractions. The iconic Salem City Hall stands as a testament to civic pride, while the East India Marine Hall holds echoes of the city’s maritime prowess. The Salem Common Bandstand, a symbol of community gatherings, shares space with the formidable Fort Lee and Fort Pickering, reflecting Salem’s strategic coastal significance.
Venturing further, visitors encounter a tapestry of historic homes, each with its own narrative. The Pickering House, the Hamilton Hall, and the Crowninshield–Bentley House offer insights into different eras. The Nathaniel Bowditch House resonates with the legacy of the founder of modern navigation.
Museums and libraries such as the Phillips Library and the Salem Athenaeum provide deep dives into knowledge and culture, while the Peirce Nichols House offers a glimpse into daily life in the past. We also have a whole article only about the museums in Salem.
This article delves into Salem’s historical allure, exploring its architectural gems and cultural landmarks, and inviting travelers to step back in time through its well-preserved historical attractions.
A brief history of Salem
Salem’s history is a tapestry woven over centuries. Long before European settlers arrived, Native Americans inhabited northeastern Massachusetts, with the Salem peninsula known as Naumkeag.
By the early 1600s, Naumkeag had become a vital settlement for indigenous groups controlling territory from the Merrimack to the Mystic rivers. Smallpox and conflict with the Tarrantine tribe ravaged the Naumkeag during the contact period, significantly weakening them before English settlers established Salem in 1626.
Colonists led by Roger Conant settled the area, fostering stability through diplomacy and cooperation. John Endecott replaced Conant, and the town’s name evolved to Salem, echoing Jerusalem.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was established, and Salem emerged as a seafaring powerhouse, exporting codfish and engaging in the Atlantic slave trade. The notorious Salem Witch Trials of 1692 marred the town’s history, leading to the execution of 19 people.
Salem played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War, acting as a hub for privateering. The town’s maritime influence extended globally, with trade relations established in distant lands. The Old China Trade era left an indelible mark on the city, reflected in its historic districts and notable architecture.
Shipping gradually waned in the 19th century, overshadowed by Boston and New York. Salem transitioned to manufacturing, with industries like tanneries and shoe factories. The devastating Great Salem Fire of 1914 razed homes but spared historic architecture.
During World War II, Salem’s Coast Guard Air Station on Winter Island performed vital search and rescue missions. It played a significant role in air-sea rescue and maritime law enforcement.
Today, Salem embraces its historical legacy while pursuing modern sustainability. The Winter Island Park project and renewable energy initiatives showcase the city’s commitment to preserving its heritage while embracing the future. Salem’s story is one of resilience, trade, maritime prowess, and the continual evolution of a city deeply connected to its past.
The Salem City Hall
Salem City Hall, a storied governmental edifice nestled in Salem’s Downtown District, stands as an emblem of historical significance and architectural prowess. Constructed in 1838 under the architectural vision of Richard Bond, this Greek Revival masterpiece mirrors the elegant lines of the era. Its recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 solidifies its place in America’s heritage.
This hub of civic activity houses the City Council Chamber Room on its second floor, where the city’s administrative decisions have been deliberated for generations. A testament to adaptive preservation, expansions have seamlessly woven modernity into tradition.
A notable 1979 expansion accommodated city archives, while a 2010 exterior elevator added accessibility, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity.
The Salem City Hall boasts a main granite facade adorned with dignified pilasters and tall, symmetric windows. The entrance, framed by cast iron lamp fixtures, leads to majestic mahogany doors.
Over the years, it has transformed while retaining its essence. A remarkable $2 million restoration initiative in 2012 ensured its endurance, revitalizing brick walls, roof, and windows to safeguard its historical grandeur for generations to come.
Thus, Salem City Hall not only encapsulates the city’s political history but also stands as an architectural testament to the graceful evolution of civic spaces over time.
The East India Marine Hall
Located at 161 Essex St, the East India Marine Hall, a prominent feature of the Peabody Essex Museum, stands as a repository of maritime heritage. Its walls house a captivating collection of maritime art, artifacts, and narratives, weaving a vivid tapestry that recounts Salem’s maritime legacy and its global trade expeditions.
This site is a pilgrimage for devotees of maritime history, offering a profound exploration into Salem’s seafaring past.
Constructed in 1824–25, the hall was conceived as the residence for the East India Marine Society’s collection. Its design, attributed to Thomas Waldron Sumner, presents an elegant two-story structure, characterized by granite facing on the front facade and brick on the sides.
The building’s historical integrity is evident in its well-preserved main facade, adorned with rectangular bays on the main floor and lofty round-arch windows on the upper level. The interior, although modified over time, retains echoes of its former grandeur.
The lower floor, once occupied by retail ventures, underwent a transformation into a museum space in 1867–69 under the ownership of the Peabody Academy of Science. A series of renovations ensued, including alterations in the 2000s by the Peabody Essex Museum, which seamlessly merged the hall’s legacy with modern facilities.
The upper floor, designed as a ballroom and auditorium, remains an expansive gallery, albeit marked by changes over time.
This historic site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965 and found its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. These honors underscore its significance as one of the United States’ oldest continuously-utilized museum spaces, a testament to the enduring allure of maritime history.
The Salem Common Bandstand
Constructed in 1926 as a tribute to Salem’s Tercentenary, the Salem Common Bandstand is a striking testament to the city’s heritage. This octagonal masterpiece, designed in the Colonial Revival style by architect Philip Horton Smith, embodies elegance and history.
Its meticulously designed features include open arches gracefully adorned by Roman Doric columns. The crowning glory is its domed roof, playfully topped with a pineapple, an enduring symbol of friendship, welcome, and hospitality.
A significant dedication came in 1974 when the City honored Jean Missud, founder and leader of the Salem Cadet Band for an astounding 63 years, by naming the bandstand after him.
However, the passage of time and the harsh elements took their toll, resulting in noticeable deterioration of the Bandstand’s cast stone and concrete structure.
In response, the City embarked on an ambitious restoration project in 2018, a multi-phase endeavor aimed at recapturing the Bandstand’s former glory. Supported by Community Preservation Act funds, the restoration was successfully completed in 2020, ensuring that this historical gem continues to shine.
Situated within the Salem Common Historic District, the Salem Common Bandstand occupies a place of prominence in a park with a rich history dating back to 1667. From its swampy origins, the Common has evolved into a cherished community space, and efforts like the Bandstand’s restoration serve as a testament to the enduring dedication of preserving Salem’s heritage.
Fort Lee
Fort Lee, a historic American Revolutionary War fort in Salem, stands on Salem Neck, marked by a distinctive 5-pointed star design. Constructed in 1776, it’s a rare, relatively intact relic from that era. The fort housed 3 officers, 100 artillerymen, and 16 guns, its strategic significance echoing through history.
Despite its early 17th-century documented military relevance, the present earthworks date to 1776. While it saw action during the War of 1812 and the Spanish–American War, the fort was refurbished during the Civil War, featuring four 8-inch columbiads. The fort’s structure, as evidenced by an 1872 engineer drawing, largely retained its original shape.
Ownership shifted over time, becoming city property in 1922 after being federalized in 1867. A brief revitalization effort occurred during the United States bicentennial in 1976, with trails and signs added, although these have since been removed.
Now, the fort is a testament to Salem’s historical fabric, featuring surviving earthworks and a stone magazine. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994, Fort Lee offers a tangible link to America’s revolutionary past, showcasing its enduring importance.
Fort Pickering
Fort Pickering, situated on Winter Island in Salem, Massachusetts, holds a storied history as a strategic coastal defense. With its roots dating back to the 17th century, this fortress played a vital role through several historical epochs, from the Anglo-Dutch Wars to World War II.
Originally constructed in 1643 and later rebuilt and renamed, the fort stood strong amidst changing times. It was the brainchild of Colonel Timothy Pickering, a prominent figure and namesake. Over the years, the fort underwent various alterations, reflecting evolving military strategies and technological advances.
Its significance expanded during the American Civil War, when its role shifted to support the war effort. The fort’s capabilities grew, embracing a variety of defensive features including earthwork parapets and enhanced gun embrasures. These enhancements allowed for increased protection and firepower.
In the mid-20th century, Winter Island also became home to Coast Guard Air Station Salem, a hub for seaplanes conducting anti-submarine patrols during World War II. This marked yet another layer of historical importance associated with the site.
Today, Fort Pickering and the surrounding Winter Island have earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Their historical significance is recognized, and the Civil War fortifications still bear witness to the past. This heritage site offers a tangible link to America’s military history, showcasing its evolution and enduring significance over the centuries.
The Pickering House
The Pickering House, dating back to circa 1664, stands as a remarkable First Period Colonial residence on 18 Broad Street, within Salem. This iconic dwelling served as the homestead for ten successive generations of the Pickering family, including Colonel Timothy Pickering, echoing centuries of familial heritage.
While long believed to be the oldest continuously family-occupied house in the U.S., the Goodhue family took up residence in 1998, with Albert Goodhue as its primary steward, opening its doors to the public under the nonprofit Pickering Foundation.
The house’s architectural journey is a testament to time’s passage. The original two-story structure, featuring a single room on each floor and an entry bay, was expanded around 1682 by John Pickering II, who added a left side.
A pivotal alteration occurred in 1751 when Deacon Timothy Pickering elevated a rear lean-to to a full two stories, shaping the house’s present form.
Transformations continued; 1841 introduced Gothic Revival influences, evident in the facade’s gables and finials. Exterior elements like roof finials, round gable windows, cornice brackets, and the entry porch, reflect this reimagining.
The 20th century brought further additions: a two-story ell in 1904 and interior Colonial Revival restorations by architect Gordon Robb in 1948. Today, the Pickering House resonates with historical significance and architectural evolution, inviting visitors to journey through centuries of American history.
The Hamilton Hall
Hamilton Hall, a National Historic Landmark at 9 Chestnut Street in Salem, Massachusetts, is a remarkable example of public Federal style architecture. Constructed between 1805 and 1807 by renowned builder Samuel McIntire, it served as a social venue for Salem’s elite families.
Named after Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father and Federalist Party leader, the hall remains an active social space hosting various events, private functions, weddings, and lectures initiated by the Ladies Committee in 1944.
The three-story brick structure boasts a Flemish bond brick pattern. The entrance facade features five bays, centered around a Greek Revival porch added around 1845. This porch is upheld by Doric columns at each corner.
The building’s long side on Chestnut Street includes six bays on the first floor, with the upper level showcasing five impressive Palladian windows, each adorned with intricate carvings by McIntire, including swag designs and an eagle and shield.
Hamilton Hall’s construction was funded by Salem’s Federalist merchant families, costing $22,000. The ground floor initially housed retail spaces supplying goods for the upstairs events. The second-floor ballroom stands out with its curved balcony and dancing-suited sprung floor.
In 1970, the hall received National Historic Landmark status and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It contributes to the Chestnut Street District and the local McIntire Historic District, which highlights McIntire’s prolific architectural contributions.
The Hawthorne Hotel
Situated on Washington Square West in Salem, The Hawthorne Hotel stands as a testament to both historic charm and modern prestige. Named in honor of the celebrated author and Salem native Nathaniel Hawthorne, the hotel’s roots trace back to the 1920s.
Today, it proudly holds a place among the prestigious Historic Hotels of America, a program under the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Renowned for its elegance and service, The Hawthorne Hotel the number one hotel in Salem according to U.S. News & World Report.
The hotel’s location holds a fascinating history. Before its establishment, the site was occupied by the Franklin Building, erected in the early 1800s. This edifice transformed into the headquarters of the Salem Marine Society, ultimately acquired by sea captain Thomas Handasyd Perkins in 1838.
Ravaged by fire multiple times, the building faced complete destruction by flames in 1860. However, the Marine Society orchestrated a determined reconstruction effort between 1863 and 1864.
Recognizing the need for contemporary accommodation in the city, influential figures within the Salem community, notably Frank Poor, founder of Sylvania Lighting Company, championed the idea of a modern hotel. The construction of The Hawthorne Hotel commenced in 1924, with its official inauguration occurring on July 23 the following year, christened as the Hotel Hawthorne.
In the 1950s, mirroring the automobile’s ascendancy, the hotel temporarily adopted the name Hawthorne Motor Hotel to cater to the surge in car travelers.
Designated a member of the Historic Hotels of America in 1991, The Hawthorne Hotel harmoniously blends its rich heritage with contemporary comforts, offering guests an exceptional experience rooted in history.
The Phillips Library
The Phillips Library of the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is a treasure trove of rare books and specialized collections that spans the rich cultural and historical heritage of its founding institutions, the Peabody Museum of Salem and the Essex Institute.
Following the 1992 merger of these entities into the Peabody Essex Museum, the library was named in honor of the Phillips family, who had a longstanding connection with both establishments.
Notably, the Phillips Library and its inviting Reading Room found a new home in 2018 within the Peabody Essex Museum Collection Center, nestled in the town of Rowley, Massachusetts.
Prominently, the Phillips Library is renowned for its custodianship of the original papers from the infamous 1692 Salem witchcraft trials, a collection held in collaboration with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives. Furthermore, the library safeguards a captivating array of early works by Nathaniel Hawthorne, adding to its literary allure.
Beyond these remarkable holdings, the Phillips Library boasts a diverse range of subjects, including art, architecture, maritime history, natural history, voyages and travels, as well as extensive insights into New England, Asia, Oceania, and Native American culture.
Among its prized collections are the C. E. Fraser Clark Collection of Hawthorniana, the Frederick Townsend Ward Collection spotlighting Western-language materials on Imperial China, and the scholarly treasure trove known as the Herbert Offen Research Collection.
As a repository of knowledge and an embodiment of history, the Phillips Library stands as a testament to the past and a beacon guiding future explorations.
The Peirce Nichols House
The Peirce–Nichols House, a historic museum on Federal Street in Salem, MA, showcases the early work of Samuel McIntire. This National Historic Landmark, now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum, offers insights into McIntire’s design methods.
The three-story wood-frame building boasts a hipped roof with a balustrade, fluted Doric pilasters, and a pedimented entry porch. Its windows display 6 over 6 sashes on the lower floors and 3 over 6 sashes on the upper floor.
A carriage house behind the main structure, possibly contemporary with it, features a symmetrical facade with a projecting triangular pediment and arched openings topped by keystones.
Jerathmiel Peirce (1747–1827) began as a leather dresser, co-owning the privateer ship Greyhound in 1778 with Aaron Waite to raid British vessels during the Revolutionary War. They thrived, owning over 10 vessels and co-founding Beverly Bank. The Friendship of Salem, a replica of their ship, stands in Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
Amid Salem’s prosperity, Peirce engaged Samuel McIntire in 1782 to design a Georgian-style mansion, now Peirce-Nichols House. Financial setbacks led to its sale, ultimately becoming part of the Peabody Essex Museum. McIntire’s later work on the east parlor introduced Federal styling for Peirce’s daughter’s wedding in 1801.
Peirce faced financial difficulties and sold the house. Friends acquired it, passing it to George and Sally Nichols’ children. It stayed with the Nichols until 1917, sold to the Essex Institute, now the Peabody Essex Museum, and opened to the public in the 1930s.
This architectural gem offers a glimpse into the mastery of one of America’s pioneering builders.
The Salem Athenaeum
Established in 1810, the Salem Athenaeum stands as one of America’s oldest membership libraries. Nestled in Salem’s McIntire Historic District at 337 Essex Street, the Athenaeum’s roots trace back to the merger of the Social Library (1760) and the Salem Philosophical Library (1781), with its inaugural president being Edward Augustus Holyoke.
Originally housed in a building constructed in the 1850s, funded by Caroline Plummer’s generous bequest, the Athenaeum relocated to its current facility in 1907 after selling the previous one. Its rich collection boasts over 50,000 volumes encompassing diverse subjects.
Open to the public without an entry fee, the Salem Athenaeum welcomes visitors to explore its collections and utilize the Reading Room for quiet study, research, reading, and writing.
The Wendt Room features a permanent display, while the Athenaeum hosts periodic exhibitions showcasing materials from its collection and related works. Topics range from Salem imprints and children’s books to decorative book covers, American Medical Botany, insects, archival records of Plummer Hall’s construction, and popular reading spanning 1760-1810. This historic institution offers a glimpse into Salem’s intellectual and cultural heritage.
The Bowker Place
Bowker Place stands as a notable historic commercial edifice nestled at 144–156 Essex Street in Salem, Massachusetts. Constructed in 1830 by William Manning, this elegant two-story exemplar of Greek Revival brick architecture has played a pivotal role in Salem’s civic and economic narrative. It became the possession of Joel Bowker in 1844 following Manning’s financial collapse.
Over the years, Bowker Place has harbored diverse occupants, including banks, insurance companies, and even the Salem Police Court, marking its significance in various facets of the city’s life.
Notably, it provided a launching pad for one of the region’s renowned retailers, William Filene, who embarked on his business journey within these walls and eventually founded the iconic Filene’s department store chain.
This building’s cultural and historical value is underscored by its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Adjacent to portions of the Downtown Salem District, Bowker Place is more than just bricks and mortar; it encapsulates a slice of Salem’s past, bearing witness to the city’s evolution through the years.
The Gardner Pingree House
The Gardner–Pingree House, located at 128 Essex Street in Salem, Massachusetts, stands as a distinguished historic house museum. Crafted by the renowned Salem builder Samuel McIntire, it is hailed as a Federal architectural masterpiece and received the esteemed status of a National Historic Landmark in 1972 due to its architectural significance.
Under the stewardship of the Peabody Essex Museum, the house is an integral part of its architectural collection, welcoming the public for enlightening guided tours.
This three-story brick edifice boasts a rectangular layout, with a rear three-story ell extending its dimensions. The Flemish bond brickwork is elegantly contrasted by white marble trim. An eye-catching low balustrade crowns the roof above a modillioned cornice, harmoniously integrated with two interior brick chimneys.
Adding to its visual allure are marble trim bands demarcating the floors, while the third-floor windows bear distinctive proportions. Adorned with black shutters, all windows feature lintels adorned with keystones.
The entrance takes center stage beneath an elliptical portico, gracefully upheld by four Corinthian columns. The doorway, embellished with sidelight windows and an elliptical fanlight, is framed by pilasters that ascend to the portico’s apex.
Beyond its impressive façade, the Gardner–Pingree House’s interior offers a captivating display of intricate woodwork in the public spaces on the first floor. Lavishly carved fireplace mantels, cornices, internal window shutters, and the ornate stairway balustrades testify to the masterful craftsmanship of its creator, Samuel McIntire.
The Crowninshield–Bentley House
The Crowninshield–Bentley House, dating back to circa 1727–1730, stands as a remarkable example of Colonial architecture in the Georgian style. Situated at 126 Essex Street, in Salem, within the historic enclave of the Essex Institute Historic District, this house is a testament to the area’s rich heritage.
Under the stewardship of the Peabody Essex Museum, the house is a treasure trove accessible to the public through engaging tours, available from June to October.
Originally crafted for the esteemed sea captain John Crowninshield, the house was situated at 106 Essex Street. A study in symmetry, it presents a five-bay configuration, clad in clapboard, and graced with a two-story stature.
Its roof is punctuated by three modest dormers, while a central entry door beckons visitors. A fascinating comparison can be drawn with the architectural styles of the Ropes Mansion and the Peirce-Nichols House, both fellow Salem residents and also overseen by the Peabody Essex Museum.
Some architectural historians speculate that the house may have begun as a “half house” on its eastern side, subsequently undergoing expansions in 1761 and 1794. In a feat of preservation, the building was relocated to its present site during 1959–1960, concurrently receiving meticulous restoration.
The house’s historical narrative is interwoven with the lives of four generations of Crowninshields, who called it home until 1832. However, its significance truly comes to life through the legacy of Reverend William Bentley, a notable lodger within its walls from 1791 to 1819.
Interestingly, the Crowninshield–Bentley House has been posited as the potential inspiration for the “old Crowninshield house” referenced in H. P. Lovecraft’s intriguing tale, “The Thing on the Doorstep.” This connection adds an extra layer of allure to an already captivating historical gem.
The Joseph Fenno House
The Joseph Fenno House–Woman’s Friend Society, situated at 12–14 Hawthorne Boulevard in Salem, Massachusetts, is a captivating historic edifice that tells a tale of changing hands and noble endeavors.
Evidently envisioned during 1811–12, this architectural gem is attributed to the design sensibilities of Samuel Field McIntire, the son of the renowned Salem builder, Samuel McIntire. Originally crafted for Joseph Fenno, a former feltmaker who transitioned into the merchant trade, this residence was a testament to his aspirations.
Interestingly, the house was conceived as a double house, a distinctive feature that raises intriguing questions about Fenno’s intentions for such a design. Eventually passing on his property to his son before relocating to Columbia, Maine, Fenno left a legacy that would endure. The subsequent years saw the property change hands, with each half of the house embarking on a journey of ownership transitions.
A particularly noteworthy chapter in its history unfolded when John Bertram, an affluent merchant, railroad investor, and philanthropist, acquired the northern unit in 1879. Displaying his commitment to noble causes, Bertram orchestrated the eventual donation of this unit to the Woman’s Friend Society, a gesture on behalf of his daughter, Jennie Emmerton.
The society eventually secured full ownership of the northern unit in 1884, and later expanded its domain by acquiring the southern unit in 1894. Today, this historic property remains under the auspices of the Woman’s Friend Society, serving as a testament to their enduring mission.
In recognition of its historical and cultural significance, the building received the distinction of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 17, 2008.
The Nathaniel Bowditch House
The Nathaniel Bowditch House, also known as the Bowditch-Osgood House, is a distinguished historic dwelling located at 9 North Street in Salem. Constructed around 1759–60, this remarkable Federal-style structure has a rich maritime heritage, having been owned by three families pivotal to Salem’s maritime history.
Notably, it was the residence of Nathaniel Bowditch (1773–1838), the pioneer of modern navigation, from 1811 to 1823. Today, the Bowditch House serves as the headquarters for Historic Salem, Inc., an organization dedicated to its preservation and restoration.
Architecturally and historically significant, the house is a 3+1⁄2-story clapboarded masterpiece featuring Federal design elements. Its most distinguished aspect is the main entrance, centered on the front facade and framed by fluted pilasters adorned with elaborate carvings. The house originally stood on Essex Street but was moved to its current location in the 1940s to prevent demolition during a road expansion project.
While believed to be constructed around 1805, recent research suggests that Samuel Curwen built the house in 1759–60. Samuel Curwen, a Loyalist who fled during the Revolutionary War, left the house to his nephew Samuel Curwen Ward, who later employed young Nathaniel Bowditch as an apprentice. Bowditch, already celebrated for his groundbreaking New American Practical Navigator, resided here with his family until 1823.
Joseph B. F. Osgood, a notable Salem lawyer and Civil War-era mayor, later owned the house from 1858 to 1911. Amidst threats to the house’s survival due to urban development, Historic Salem, Inc. came into existence to protect it.
The house was moved to its present location in 1944 to avoid demolition. Today, it stands as a National Historic Landmark, a testament to both Nathaniel Bowditch’s legacy and the dedicated preservation efforts of Historic Salem, Inc.
The Andrew–Safford House
The Andrew–Safford House located at 13 Washington Square, and owned by the Peabody Essex Museum, is an architectural gem built in 1819 in the Federal style for a wealthy Russian fur merchant.
Its imposing vertical façade, with four colossal doric columns rising to the third story, makes it one of Salem’s most impressive houses. Reverend Bentley’s diary provides insights into its construction, including the remarkable solid log columns of the piazza on the west side.
The interior, attributed to master carpenter Joseph True, boasts a well-preserved layout, woodwork, and details. A grand three-story staircase connects all floors, while federal elements like glazed fan lights and original mercury glass knobs adorn the doors.
This opulent home mirrors Salem’s rapid gentrification during its economic zenith. The house’s history echoes the economic turbulence of the 1820s, as many similar homes’ owners faced financial ruin. Acquired by the Safford family in the 1860s, the house became part of the Peabody Essex Museum through the Essex Institute in 1947.
Today, it serves as a venue for rentals, private functions, and internal meetings. With its rich history and stunning architectural features, the Andrew–Safford House stands as a testament to Salem’s past prosperity and cultural heritage.
