historic house tours salem ma

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 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.2507 Peabody, Dr. Nathaniel, and Sophia – Grimshawe House 53 Charter St Salem C 1770. This dwelling is noted by some sources as having been constructed c. 1770, and extensively altered in the 1790s. It is likely that the house was originally constructed as a two-story dwelling, and that a third floor was added at the latter date, together with the exterior details remaining today. The fenestration pattern and window form are probably associated with the conversion of the dwelling into a rooming house after a fire in 1914. This house retains considerable significance for its associations with the Peabody family and Nathaniel Hawthorne. As the home of Dr. Nathaniel Peabody from 1835-1841, the house was frequently visited by friends and suitors of the famous Peabody Sisters (Elizabeth, Mary, and Sophia).

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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Discover Salem Ma

22 Historic Salem Houses

Salem’s architectural heritage is a captivating blend of colonial, Georgian, and Federal styles, offering a visual journey through America’s early history. Strolling through the city, you’ll encounter meticulously preserved homes like the Witch House, the only remaining structure with direct ties to the 1692 witch trials, and the Nathaniel Bowditch House, which exemplifies Federal architecture. Each historic home in Salem tells a story of the city’s past, from its colonial roots to its maritime prosperity, providing a tangible link to the architectural and cultural legacy of New England.

The House of Seven Gables

Located at 115 Derby Street.

Built-in 1668, this colonial mansion was the home of merchant shipowner John Turner and his wife, Elizabeth. The house was made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 Novel The House of Seven Gables. It is open to the Public from 10 am to 5 pm daily.

Salem Witch House

Located at 310 Essex Street

This was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin. Built-in 1675, it is the only house still standing with direct ties to the infamous 1692 Salem Witch Trials.

Gardner-Pingree House

Located at 128 Essex Street

Built-in 1804 for John and Sarah Gardner. The house was the location of the notorious 1830 Murder of Capt. Joseph White.

Pickman House

Located on Charter Street next to the Witch Trial Memorial.

Though the exact year it was built is unclear, it is thought to have been built before the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. It was owned by Samuel Pickman.

Joseph Story House

Located at 26 Winter Street

Built-in 1811, this house was the home of Supreme Court Associate Justice Joseph Story. He was a leading Jurist of the time and an influential figure in the early years of Harvard Law School.

West Cogswell House

Located at 5-9 Summer Street

Built-in 1834 By Nathaniel West, one of Salem’s leading Sea Captains and Merchants.

One of its most famous Occupants was William Cogswell, an American Civil War General who later became Mayor of Salem. Today it is owned by Salem Inn.

Bessie Monroe House

Located at 7 Ash Street

The house was built in 1811 for a local merchant named Thomas Perkins. It survived the Urban renewal planning in the 1960s because of its elderly occupant Bessie Monroe.

John Ward House

Located at 9 Brown Street

The house was built between 1684 for John Ward. Today the house is owned by the Peabody Essex Museum.

Stephen Phillips House

Located at 34 Chestnut Street

It was built for Elias Deby, one of America’s first self-made millionaires from Sea Trade. It was initially built in Danvers. When he died in 1799, his daughter Elizabeth and her husband, Caption Nathaniel West, inherited and added to it. After a divorce and the death of a daughter in 1819, Nathaniel moved four rooms of the house to Salem. In 1911, Stephen W. Phillips bought the house and lived there till he died in 1955. Historic New England now owns the house, which is open to the public. 

The Bowditch House

Located at 9 North Street

The house was built in 1759-60 and originally stood at 312 Essex Street. It was moved to its current location in 1944. Its first owner was Samuel Curwin, a Loyalist who fled the country at the start of the American Revolutionary War. He left the house to his nephew Samuel Curwin Ward. Ward lost the house to foreclosure in 1800, and it was bought by his cousin William Ward. In 1811 William sold it to Nathanial Bowditch.

Bowditch published the New American Practical Navigator. The book provided information on tides, currents, and astronomical tables.

Joshua Ward House

Located at 148 Washington Street

The house was built in 1784 on the site of Sheriff George Corwin’s property. George Corwin was the High Sheriff of Essex County during the Salem Witch Trials and signed warrants for the arrest and execution of those convicted of witchcraft.

The house is one of the first brick houses in Salem. George Washington is reported to have specifically requested to stay in the house when he visited Salem in 1789. Today it is a hotel.

John P. Peabody House

Located at 15 Summer Street

The House was built in 1865 by Salem merchant John P Peabody. It is a rare early example of colonial Revival architecture. Today it is owned by Salem Inn.

Crowninshield-Bentley House

Located at 127 Essex Street

The house was originally built in 1727-30 at 106 Essex Street and was moved to its current location in 1959-60.

It was owned by Caption John Crowninsheild, and four generations of his family lived in the house until 1832. Reverend William Bently also boarded in the house from 1791-1819.

The Gedney House

Located at 21 High Street

The House was Built in 1665 and was first used as a tavern until the Gedney family sold it in 1773 to Benjamin Cox who owned it for 25 years. Today it is owned by the Historic New England and open to the public

Quaker Meeting House

It was built in 1865 to resemble a Post-Medieval or first-period structure. The house is a reconstruction of the original Quaker Meeting House that was built in 1690. Today it is owned by the Peabody Essex Museum.

Ropes Mansion

Located at 318 Essex Street

The Mansion was built in the late 1720s for Samuel Barnard. In 1768, Judge Nathaniel Ropes Jr. bought the house. Today it is owned by the Peabody Essex Museum.

Peirce House

Located at 80 Federal Street

The house was built in 1782 for Jerathmiel Peirce. He owned and built several sea vessels. One of which was a two-gun Schooner named the Greyhound. It served as a privateer against British merchant vessels in the Revolutionary War.

Pickering House

Located at 18 Broad Street

The house was built in 1664 and occupied by ten generations of the Pickering Family until 1998 when the Goodhue family moved into the house. Today it is run by the Pickering Foundation and is open to the public.

Thomas March Woodbridge House

Located at 48 Bridge Street

The house was built in 1809 for Thomas March Woodbridge, who owned a local Tannery.

Cotting-Smith Assembly House

Located at 138 Federal Street

The house was built in 1782 and was a Federalist Clubhouse where balls, concerts, lectures, and other events were held. George Washington attended a dance here.

Andre-Safford House

Located at 13 Washington Square

The house was built in 1819 for a Russian Merchant. It is believed to have been the most expensive house built in New England at the time.

Rufus Choate House

Located at 14 Lynde Street

The house was built in 1805 for Lawyer and Federalist Party politician Rufus Choate.

Our 1692 Salem tours are designed to provoke thought, stir emotions, and inspire a deeper appreciation for Salem’s rich and complex history. Join us as we step back in time to uncover the stories that lie at the heart of Witch City. 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 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.

Salem Walking Tour

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 walking 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 Walking Tour?

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

Experience History on the 1692 Salem Walking Tour

Duration and Walking Distance

Embark on a journey through time with our 1692 Salem Walking Tour. This walk through Witch City spans 2 hours and covers just under 2 miles, offering a leisurely pace that allows you to fully absorb Salem’s rich history and haunting beauty. We’ve meticulously planned the route to ensure accessibility for most fitness levels, enabling everyone to participate in this eye-opening 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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Historic Houses

Ropes Mansion & Garden

318 Essex Street View on Google maps

Self-guided house tours are available on weekends through October 20, 2024 for an additional $5 with purchase of museum admission. Garden open year-round, sunrise to sunset!

Listen now to the PEM Walks episode about this property! Behind-the-scenes audio storytelling that unlocks PEM’s historic houses.

Ropes Mansion (1727–1729) was built in the Georgian style and renovated in 1894 in the Colonial Revival style by the firm Stone, Carpenter & Willson.

The stately mansion was home to three generations of the Ropes family​ and is recognized as one of New England's most significant and thoroughly documented historic houses.

In 1893, three unmarried Ropes sisters living in Cincinnati decided to move to Salem upon learning that the Ropes Mansion, along with a sizable fortune, had been left to them. The sisters conceived an ambitious plan to transform the mansion into a comfortable home for themselves, and make preparations for it to become Salem’s first historic house museum.

The rooms inside the home witnessed birth, death, friendship, celebration and mourning — all of which left a legacy in the objects the family kept and displayed. Filled with original furnishings, this Georgian Colonial house, which was reinvented as a colonial revival mansion at the end of the 19th century, contains superb examples of 18th and 19th-century furniture, ceramics and glass, silver, kitchenwares, textiles and personal objects. After a fire in 2009, the house was completely restored and reopened to the public in 2015 with a new interpretative experience. Today, visitors are invited to freely circulate throughout 15 rooms of the home, exploring the property at their own pace. Hands-on interactive experiences encourage guests to explore the house's stories layer by layer.

The tranquil Ropes Mansion Garden was designed and laid out in 1912 by John Robinson. It is a Colonial Revival garden that’s open to the public 365 days a year, from dawn to dusk, at no charge. Dogs are most welcome. Nearly 5,000 annual flowers are planted at the Ropes Mansion Garden each year and the garden is maintained according to Robinson’s original notes, including guidance on perennials and annuals. There is also a beautiful historic greenhouse and potting shed nearby. This property is a lovely spot for garden weddings and can be rented for small events.

©2020 Peabody Essex Museum, Photograph by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.

Ropes Mansion garden, 1915-1916. Peabody Essex Museum.

© 2015 Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Walter Silver.

© 2016 Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.

© 2018 Peabody Essex Museum. Photography by Bob Packert/PEM.

Photo by Kathy Tarantola/PEM.

Copper Beech Tree

We're pleased to report positive news about the status of the copper beech tree in the Ropes Mansion Garden. The results of recent topography scans by UMass plant pathologist Dr. Nicholas Brazee revealed that the decay present appears to be confined to a small area immediately surrounding the location of the conk in the lower trunk and does not encompass a large percentage of the tree. No immediate action is needed at the time.

As advised, PEM will continue to closely monitor the tree. We ask that visitors please adhere to the posted signage and avoid walking on the roots or carving initials into the trunk. We encourage everyone to come and enjoy the views and the shade of this majestic beauty and the tranquil garden.

Keep exploring

Peirce-nichols house.

Built in 1782 0.4 miles from PEM

Historic houses

Cotting-Smith Assembly House

Built in 1782 0.6 miles from PEM

Gardner-Pingree House

Built in 1804–06 0.2 miles from PEM

John Ward House

Built in 1685-1699 0.1 miles from PEM

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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!

Open Daily 10 A.M. – 6 P.M.

All purchases are non-refundable.

Members get unlimited free admission and early access to tickets before general sale. 

Visit The House

Mansion tour package, grounds pass.

4.6 stars 3,400 Google reviews as of 1/9/2023

4.5 stars 2,669 reviews as of 1/9/2023

4.5 stars ‎ 3,063 reviews as of 1/9/2023

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.

Enduring Hawthorne: Ekphrastic Writing at The House of the Seven Gables - Presentation Night

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

The House of the Seven Gables and Salem Lit Fest are inviting all of our writers to visit The Gables, the famous home that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne to pen the novel of the same name. We hope you will become equally inspired to write, be it a poem, short story, or song and share it with your colleagues and the public.

Tour en Español

4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

¡Un recorrido por La Casa de los Siete Tejados en español!

Member Event: A Visit to Boston

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Enjoy a day in Boston with your fellow Gables members! We will start at the Boston Athenaeum for a tour, break for lunch, and then conclude with a Charlie Gibson's Queer Boston specialty tour at The Gibson House.

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!

Instagram Feed

2,524 19,319

Open Daily 10 A.M. – 6 P.M. Advanced tickets are strongly recommended. #h7g

Salem’s Oldest House, America’s Oldest Home

The Pickering House

Welcome to Salem’s Oldest Home!

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

Upcoming Events

Become a member.

Benefits Include:

• Participation in Pickering Foundation events, including the Annual Meeting/Open House in June
• Opportunities for docent-led tours of the House by appointment
• Special member discounts when you reserve the house for special events
• Special member discounts when you attend Foundation events

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.

Book it. Walk it. Fall in Love With it.

15% off tours valid until september 30th copy coupon code below and use at checkout:, explore a historical journey in salem massachusetts.

Walk With Us

Come take a stroll with us down a historical journey through the streets of Salem. From the beginning, our past has been notoriously labeled from the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 to modern day. With almost 400 years behind us, "The Witch City" has lots of wicked stories to tell.

Witch City Walking Tours offers many captivating tours: - History & Hauntings of Salem ‍ - Mysteries & Murders of Salem ‍ - Hocus Pocus Movie Locations - Specters & Apparitions: A ghost hunting tour in Salem ‍ - Merchants & Mansions of Salem - Spirits, Sinners & Scandals Tour - PopSalem! A pop culture walking tour - Spirits & Supersitions: a Friday the 13th tour ‍ ‍

Witch City Walking Tours offers a workshop: - Witch City Broom Making Workshop ‍ ‍

With your licensed professional tour guide, explore the social, political and environmental influences which spread mass hysteria, causing the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Discover how Salem became a world-class seaport, creating some of the wealthiest families in America and America's first millionaire. Stroll the cobblestone lined streets, taking in some of the most stunning 17th and 18th century colonial architecture. Or, if you like to be scared, get chills down your spine hearing ghastly tales of ghosts, macabre murders and true crime stories in Salem's history. Witch City Walking Tours 'History & Hauntings Tour' was named the "No. 1 Cultural & Historical Tour in the United States and  No. 2 in the World" by Trip Advisor in 2024. Other accolades: - No. 1 Cultural & Historic Tour in the U.S. in 2023 by Trip Advisor - No. 6 Cultural & HIstoric Tour in the World in 2023 by Trip Advisor -  "Best Historical & Cultural Tours in the World" by TripAdvisor 2022. - One of the "Best Historical & Cultural Tours in the United States" in 2022. - "Trip Advisor's Most Booked Fall Experience in America" for 2021. - Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Awards and a multi-year recipient of TripAdvisor's "Certificate of Excellence". ‍ So.... come take a walk with us and see why our tours are simply magical! ‍ Please note: OUR TOURS OPERATE RAIN OR  SHINE! 24 hour cancellation required for a full refund. All sales are final September 10 - November 11.

History & Hauntings of Salem

History, hauntings, the Salem Witch Trials, architecture and hidden gems. Suitable for all ages. Get ready for a mysterious journey through almost 400 years of Salem’s rich and storied history. Your local, well-versed guide and historian is excited to share their passion of this beautiful quaint city with you. Rated as the top walking tour in Salem, you will experience approximately two hours of captivating tales of our city's history, chilling tales of the supernatural, while being awed by the breathtaking architecture, and discover the fascinating truth of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Your guide will take you off-the-beaten path, while you experience the lesser known sights and history of Salem.

Mysteries & Murders of Salem

For those who prefer a slightly *darker* historical perspective of Salem. Your guide brings to life the true crime stories of murder, myth and macabre. (Ages 13+ only.) Come experience the darker side of Salem with our 1 hour 45 minute Mysteries & Murder tour. We retell the most spine-chilling true crime tales of murder, mystery and macabre that happened in Salem's past. Why did an insane woman in the early 1600s murder her child? Who was the famous hitman who murdered the slave trader in his sleep? Did the Boston Strangler really make a visit to Salem? These tales and much more will unfold on this whirlwind tour of this mysterious seaside city.

Hocus Pocus Movie Locations of Salem

Brisk 4 mile walk. Come relive the magic of Disney's Blockbuster, Hocus Pocus! Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, Hocus Pocus has become one of the most beloved movies of the 20th century. The majority of the movie was filmed in Salem in 1993. We will take you to 5 locations used during filming. Your ticket price includes entry to Pioneer Village, as well as a special Hocus Pocus gift! Along the way, you will also hear about the Salem Witch Trials, the maritime history, how we became the "Witch City".

Specters & Apparitions: A ghost hunting tour.

Have you ever been curious about the spirit world? Or are you a ghost denier? This tour dives into Salem’s paranormal activity using actual professional ghost hunting equipment. This hour long tour may change your mind if ghosts are real or not? We visit some of the most haunted locations in Salem on this journey to connect with the spiritual world. Our guides walk you through Salem using professional ghost hunting equipment and techniques to seek out the spirits who haven’t departed yet from Salem. You may catch a glimpse of a ghost peering through the windows at you. You may hear voices. Or you may catch an anomaly with photo/video on your cell phone with something quite peculiar or unexplainable. Come take a tour in search of the spirits of Salem with us. ***We cannot guarantee ghost sightings or unusual phenomena or paranormal activity of any kind. Results may vary. *Professional Ghost Hunting equipment is only available during the tour and must be returned to the guide at the end of the tour with a credit card deposit. We will be using professional ghost hunting equipment including A Spirit Box, EMF reader, Temperature Sensors, and laser grids. *** We recommend bringing a fully charged cell phone for pictures and video for the duration of the tour. Please note: We will NOT be entering any cemeteries or buildings during the tour. This is an outdoor activity only. It is illegal to enter a cemetery after dusk.

Merchants & Mansions of Salem

Suitable for all ages. Spring and summer only. Do you love architecture? We do! No trip to Salem is complete without a tour of the most beautiful section of Salem, the McIntire district. Come experience over three centuries of architecture from First Period American, to Georgian Colonial and the stately Federal style. Your guide will wind you through the cobblestoned streets of Salem, discovering hidden gems, viewing over two dozen sites, and sharing stories of Salem's rise to becoming the wealthiest city in the country in the 18th century.

PopSalem! A Pop Culture Walking Tour

Curious how Salem became the Witch City and the Capitol of Halloween? From Witchcraft to Lovecraft, the PopSalem tour is for you. Salem's journey to the Witch City couldn't have happened without popular culture. Discover how Bewitched, Hubie Halloween, author H.P. Lovecraft, video games, textbooks and other types of media all influenced the way we experience Salem today. · A guide brings the history of Salem to life through storytelling. · Learn about the people and events that made Salem the "Witch City" and Capitol of Halloween. · Visit some of Salem’s most iconic sites – including the Witch Museum, Burying Point, and Bewitched Statue - in a fun, festive, one-hour tour. · Brand-new tour from Salem’s number one walking tour company – only in October!

Spirits, Sinners & Scandals Tour

Salem's spookiest, haunted *adults only* walking tour! Want a late night hour long tour of all things creepy and shocking? We take you into Salem’s darkest corners and consecrate our otherworldly past by sharing our city’s sinister tales of deception, greed, torture, murder, curses and delve into the supernatural. Learn about Harry Houdini’s silver handcuffs and seances, multiple suicides and grisly murders, inhumane living conditions for Massachusetts’ worst criminals, and even learn about our very own sadistic Sheriff appropriately nicknamed “The Strangler”. This tour visits some of the most notoriously haunted locations in Salem with numerous documented ghost sightings and unusual paranormal activity. We pass by 400 year old cemeteries, uninhabited haunted homes, 2 of the most haunted Hotels in America, as you relive Salem’s most terrifying moments. Adults only, 18+.

Spirits & Superstitions: a Friday the 13th Tour

This is the only tour in Salem which focuses on Friday the 13th, superstitions and local ghost stories. On this 90-minute tour, learn the secrets behind some of the most mysterious superstitions. Hear ghastly tales of hauntings and the paranormal. Discover for yourself some of the most shocking secrets of Salem's chilling past. This limited edition tour is only available on Friday the 13th.

Witch City Broom Making Workshop

We had a brilliant tour with Dawn on a very, very rainy night, Monday 9/11. The content of the tour was interesting, it gave me a very good overview of Salem’s history. The tour was more history than hauntings in my opinion. Dawn really brought the stories to life and was very generous with her time and encouraged the group to interact and ask questions.

I am a long-time resident of Salem and had forgotten how amazing our town is, thank you Violet for awaking my interest in Salem's history again! Violet is a fantastic tour guide, and our group is extremely impressed by her. Violet spoke well, charming and is clearly knowledgeable. She was able to change a muggy dreary rainy night into very pleasantly memorable evening.

During a day trip to Salem, I participated in the History and Hauntings tour provided by Witch City Tours. This walking tour was so informative and beautiful! Our tour guide, Michael, knew quite a bit about the history of Salem and the witch trials. His summary of Salem's dark past piqued our interest into learning more about it, which led to the purchase of a history book in a local shop.

Recent Activity

Witch City Walking Tours is proud to be the sponsor for this year’s Salem Education Foundation’s raffle for “Dinner for Two” anywhere in the world! 🌎

When visiting Salem, where should you go to eat? Here are some suggestions from our guides:

Destination Salem

Good Morning America

National geographic.

Travel AAA Guide

Travelers choice, travelers' choice™ best of the best.

Charities We Sponsor

Witch City Walking Tours proudly gives back to the community of Salem, Massachusetts! Every month, one of our guides chooses a local non-profit that is important to them and we donate $1000 to support their missions. In turn, these worthy organizations work diligently to lift the members of our community. 

Recently, Witch City Walking Tours has supported:

• Salem Education Foundation and their raffle for “Dinner for Two” anywhere in the world! 
• Northeast Animal Shelter for blankets, towels, and food for the animals.

We’d like to thank all of our tour guests for helping us make this possible, and for helping us keep Salem a vibrant and beautiful city where we, along with our neighbors, live and work.

Who We Sponsor

Charitable Contributions

Working Hours

Sunday to Saturday   09:00 AM to 11:00 PM

32 Derby Square Salem, MA 01970 (Outside on the 3 staircases of the Old Town Hall)

Historic Salem Walking Tour | McIntire Historic District

Looking for a historic Salem walking tour – the perfect combination of history, New England architecture, and fresh air? Look no further than Salem’s McIntire Historic District.

By Bethany Bourgault

Jun 09 2016

The Page-Lawrence-Farrington House, built in 1786, and its neighbors on either side represent what a typical Salem street would have looked like in the 18th and 19th century.

MORE HISTORIC SALEM:

Bethany Bourgault

Bethany Bourgault interned with Yankee Magazine and New England.com during the summers of 2015 and 2016. She recently graduated from Syracuse University, majoring in magazine journalism with minors in writing and religion. She loves reading, exploring the outdoors, ballroom dancing, and trying new recipes. Keep up with her adventures at bethanybourgault.com .

BEWITCHED WALKING TOURS of SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS

Effective march 1st 2024 all tours from the halloween museum 131 essex street.

Day and Night tours available! 

  Welcome to Witch City! Join us for a journey back through time to uncover the real history of Salem, Massachusetts. With a local historian as your guide, you'll venture right through the heart of downtown, exploring 400 years of Salem at over a dozen locations along the way. Booking with Bewitched is the perfect way to start your visit. Come see why Bewitched Walking Tours is beloved by locals and visitors alike!

WALKING TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ​

A delightful mix of history, legend, and pop culture.

Most in-depth look at the Witch Trials Salem has to offer.

Four centuries worth of history in one tour.

Topics include Salem's colonial roots, its role as a thriving seaport, and how we be came known as "Witch City."

All tour guides are licensed professionals.

Walking tour commences at one of America's oldest cemeteries.

Dog friendly!

Stops include the Samantha Statue, Old Town Hall, the Old Witch Jail, the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, and so much more!

DON'T OVERTHINK IT. JUST BOOK THIS TOUR.

It. was. great. So much information...not the kitschy kind...but the kind you want to learn... the history of Salem, the witch trials, and a taste of the Salem that is now. 

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR & TAKE THIS TOUR!

This tour is an absolute must if you want to learn more about the people and events that made up the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Sarah was the best tour guide I have been lucky enough to follow. She was incredibly knowledgeable, entertaining, and passionate about the history she was sharing. She reminded us that the victims of the witch trials were just that - victims, who had lives, families, and who leave legacies after them. I learned more in this hour and a half than I could have hoped to in a history class!

FEATURED IN:

LOOKING FOR MORE REVIEWS? WE'VE GOT 1000s!

visit our tripadvisor page

CONTACT US!

978-498 -4061

i [email protected]

131 Essex Street Salem, MA

Historic Sites

• African American Heritage
• Architectural
• Contemporary / Pop Culture
• Salem Witch Trials
• Women’s History

Salem Heritage Trail

The Salem Heritage Trail guides visitors from around the corner and around the world through over 400 years of Salem history. The themes of the trail bridge connections from the land’s earliest settlement to the Salem we see today with focuses on local Indigenous Peoples, Colonial Salem and the Witch Trials, the Age of Sail, Industrial Heritage, Abolitionism and African American Stories, Immigrant Experiences, Religious Diversity, and Contemporary Salem.

Created in the 1980s, the Salem Heritage Trail was developed to be a self-guided walking trail to help visitors experience Salem’s historic sites and navigate the downtown district. Intended to evoke a brick line like Boston’s Freedom Trail, the Salem Heritage Trail was painted as a red line on the sidewalk. Over time, the trail became known as “The Red Line.”

Click HERE to see the Salem Heritage Trail Mobile App

Step into Salem with our new Virtual 360 Heritage Trail Tour, click to enter.

Today, we recognize the phrase, “Red Line,” has a negative connotation and evokes a dark period in our history when redlining was a discriminatory practice that denied financial services to people based on race, ethnicity, or demographic. As a community that strives for inclusion, maintaining a component of our downtown that makes members of our community uncomfortable is not acceptable.

In 2020 the City of Salem, Destination Salem and partners in the community began a strategic revisioning of the Salem Heritage Trail that will include repainting the line in a new color, removing references to “The Red Line” from publications and digital media, and developing inclusive interpretation of sites along the Salem Heritage Trail. We believe the Trail is an excellent way to introduce visitors and residents to the many layers of Salem’s rich history and look forward to improving on the trail’s original goal: to help people experience and learn about Salem.

For more information, contact Destination Salem at [email protected]

The Salem Heritage Trail is a tool for exploring historic Salem on foot. Hop on the trail in the middle or on one of the ends, and follow it through historic downtown Salem to the edge of the McIntire Historic District and along the Essex Street Pedestrian Way to Derby Street and the Salem Waterfront District.

For an immersive experience click HERE to entre our 360 Tour.

Witch Dungeon Museum

The English settlers knew that their presence in Salem immersed them in a web of global conflicts. Fearing reprisals from…

Salem Common

This eight-acre park was originally a swampy piece of land dotted by five ponds. Early English settlers in Salem drew…

Roger Conant Statue

In 1913, Henry Hudson Kitson, famous for the Lexington Minuteman Memorial, sculpted this statue of Roger Conant, the founder of…

Charter Street Cemetery

The oldest settler cemetery in Salem, the Old Burying Ground was begun by 1637. The town selected a point that…

Witch House/Corwin House

Essex Street, which runs beside you, was once an indigenous pathway along the peninsula of Salem from the woods to…

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

On March 17, 1938, Salem Maritime National Historic Site was the first national historic site established by the National Park…

The House of The Seven Gables

“Half-way down a by-street of one of our New England towns, stands a rusty wooden house, with seven acutely-peaked gables...”…

Charlotte Forten Park

Built on land reclaimed from the South River, this plot has historically been the site of many wharves and warehouses,…

Salem Arts Association

159 Derby Street is a testament to the rich commercial and immigrant history that the old houses of Salem contain.…

Salem Witch Museum

During the Salem witchcraft trials in 1692, this site was home to Reverend John Higginson, the minister of Salem’s First…

Lappin Park

For nearly four centuries, this has been the central intersection of Salem, and many important events in American history occurred…

East India Marine Hall

The venerable granite façade of the East India Marine Hall, erected in 1825, is the nucleus of the Peabody Essex…

Nathaniel Hawthorne Statue

One of the last works of a famous sculptor, this statue of Nathaniel Hawthorne depicts the writer near the end…

Derby Square

Old Town Hall, built in 1816 and 1817, is the oldest surviving municipal building in Salem. This desirable stretch of…

Family Owned and Operated

Discounts available  click here for more!

Click here for group and private tours

We are the original & oldest salem ghost tour, captivating guests with tales of murder, accidental death & paranormal activity since 1997. take the 1692 witchcraft walk that is the most in-depth look at the witchcraft hysteria in salem, endorsed by authors & experts on the subject. our ticket prices are the best in salem; discounts are available.  , looking for advice on visiting salem ask questions and get answers at salem travel tips, advice & more.

Salem 101: General History Tour

Explore over four centuries of Salem's remarkable history from its illustrious founding in 1626, to its place as a thriving 21st Century city. The witch trials made Salem infamous, but there's so much more. We'll discuss maritime, revolutionary, witch trials history and more.

1962 Witchcraft Walk

Examine the demographics, theories and personal stories comprising the dire events of 1692, and what happened during the infamous witchcraft hysteria which turned neighbor against neighbor. We'll discuss how it started, ended and the stories of people involved

Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour

Accompany us on Salem's Original ghostly tour and experience why our highly acclaimed lantern-lit stroll has been a "Witch City" institution since 1997. Setting the bench mark for similar tours, Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour is Salem's preeminent evening activity. Our engaging guides creatively convey Salem's authentic haunted history. Delve into Salem's macabre past as our knowledgable and charismatic guides regale you with true tales of documented paranormal activity, accidental death and centuries old murder

All tours leave from  - 8 Central Street - Tours run Rain or Shine. No refund          - 978.745.0666 - 

(978) 745.0666

[email protected]

8 Central St, Salem MA

Gift Cards Available

© 1997-2023 by Salem Historical Tours Proudly created with Wix.com

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Bewitched Historical Tours

Home » Things to Do » Bewitched Historical Tours

131 Essex Street Salem, MA

978-498-4061

https://www.bewitchedtours.com/

• Capacity: 80
• Comp Policy: Call for Details
• Terms: Call for Details
• Motorcoach Parking: No
• ADA Compliant: Yes
• Pet Friendly: Yes
• Function Space Available: No
• Advanced Tickets Recommended: Yes
• Family Friendly: Yes

“Best Tour in Salem!” Fun and informative tours led by local historians. Learn what really happened in 1692 and visit 12+ sites. Advance purchase is recommended. Tours leave from the Halloween Museum.

Advance purchase is recommended via BewitchedTours.com but if tickets are still available they can be purchased at the Halloween Museum.

Nearby Listings

Brodie’s Seaport

333 steps away

Jolie Tea Company

345 steps away

Trolley Depot

269 steps away

Artists' Row

449 steps away

Diehl Marcus & Company

238 steps away

372 steps away

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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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