63-788: The Essex Institute Historic District is a historic district at 134-132, 128, 126 Essex Street and 13 Washington Square West in Salem, Massachusetts . It consists of a compact group of properties associated with the Essex Institute , founded in 1848 and merged in 1992 into the Peabody Essex Museum . Listed by increasing street number, they are: the Crowninshield-Bentley House , the Gardner-Pingree House (a National Historic Landmark ),
126-404: A Venus glase & an Egg" to learn "what trade their sweet harts should be of." The infamous Salem witch trials began in 1692, and 19 people were executed by hanging because of the false accusations; Giles Corey was pressed to death for refusing to plead innocent or guilty, thus avoiding the noose and instead dying an innocent man. Salem is also significant in legal history as the site of
189-462: A hot-summer humid continental climate (abbreviated Dfa ), or a hot-summer humid sub-tropical climate (abbreviated Cfa ), depending on the isotherm used. Throughout the colonial period and thereafter, Salem was one of the largest municipalities in the United States; as late as the 1820 census , Salem was ranked in the top ten cities in the country by population, and would not drop out of
252-817: A drugstore building marks the former site of the Korn Leather Factory, which burned in the fire. Coast Guard Air Station Salem was established on February 15, 1935, when the United States Coast Guard opened a new seaplane facility in Salem because there was no space to expand the Gloucester Air Station at Ten Pound Island . Coast Guard Air Station Salem was located on Winter Island , an extension of Salem Neck which juts out into Salem Harbor . Search and rescue , hunting for derelicts , and medical evacuations were
315-408: A household in the city was $ 44,033, and the median income for a family was $ 55,635. Males had a median income of $ 38,563 versus $ 31,374 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 23,857. About 6.3% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over. The Pickman House , built c. 1664 , abuts
378-795: A multi-community area, thus laying the foundation for what became the Army National Guard . In 1637, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered the organization of the Colony's militia companies into the North, South and East Regiments. The colonists adopted the English militia system, which obligated men between the ages of 16 and 60 to own arms and take part in the community's defense. Each April,
441-597: A nineteen-month voyage that was perhaps the first from the newly independent America to the East Indies . In 1795, Captain Jonathan Carnes set sail for Sumatra in the Malay Archipelago on his secret voyage for pepper . Nothing was heard from him until eighteen months later, when he entered Salem harbor with a cargo of pepper in bulk, the first to be so imported into the country, and which sold at
504-600: A resident of Salem, as a United States consul of the early years . The Old China Trade left a significant mark in two historic districts, Chestnut Street District , part of the Samuel McIntire Historic District containing 407 buildings, and the Salem Maritime National Historic Site , comprising 12 historic structures and about 9 acres (36,000 m ) of land along the waterfront in Salem. Elias Hasket Derby
567-551: A second smallpox epidemic struck, killing two of Nanepashemet's successors, Montowompate and Wonohaquaham , and leaving his remaining heir Wenepoykin scarred. So it was that English settlers met little resistance on their arrival in Salem. Although Wenepoykin would join Metacomet in King Philip's War in 1675, the English settlers at this point had the numerical superiority to defeat Metacomet's indigenous coalition. It
630-471: A site nearby called Proctor's Ledge was identified as the true site of the executions. Gallows Hill now serves as a city park. Native Americans lived in northeastern Massachusetts for thousands of years prior to European colonization of the Americas . The peninsula that would become Salem was known as Naumkeag (alternate spellings Naemkeck, Nahumkek, Neumkeage ) by the native people who lived there at
693-642: Is a historic coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts , United States, located on the North Shore of Greater Boston . Continuous settlement by Europeans began in 1626 with English colonists. Salem was one of the most significant seaports trading commodities in early American history . Prior to the dissolution of county governments in Massachusetts in 1999, it served as one of two county seats for Essex County, alongside Lawrence . Today, Salem
SECTION 10
#1732772297294756-627: Is a residential and tourist area that is home to the House of Seven Gables , Salem State University , Pioneer Village , the Salem Maritime National Historic Site , Salem Willows Park , and the Peabody Essex Museum . It features historic residential neighborhoods in the Federal Street District and the Charter Street Historic District . The city's population was 44,480 at the 2020 census . Salem
819-459: Is also a memorial to the victims of the infamous Witch Trials at Proctor's Ledge, the execution site from that time. The memorial is "meant to be a place of reflection" for the city. In 2000, the replica tall ship Friendship of Salem was finished and sailed to Salem Harbor, where she sits today. The Friendship of Salem is a reconstruction of a 171-foot (52 m) three-masted East Indiaman trading ship, originally built in 1797, which traveled
882-599: Is divided by its natural features into several small neighborhoods. The Salem Neck neighborhood lies northeast of downtown, and North Salem lies to the west of it, on the other side of the North River. South Salem is south of the South River, lying mostly along the banks of Salem Harbor southward. Downtown Salem lies 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Boston , 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Gloucester and Cape Ann , and 19 miles (31 km) southeast of Lawrence ,
945-513: Is land and 9.9 square miles (26 km ), or 55.09%, is water. Salem lies on Massachusetts Bay between Salem Harbor, which divides the city from much of neighboring Marblehead to the southeast, and Beverly Harbor, which divides the city from Beverly along with the Danvers River, which feeds into the harbor. Between the two harbors lies Salem Neck and Winter Island, which are divided from each other by Cat Cove, Smith Pool (located between
1008-407: Is the furthest point from residences and where the winds are the strongest. The 30-acre park has been open to the public since the early 1970s. In 2011, a master plan was developed with help from the planning and design firm, Cecil Group of Boston and Bioengineering Group of Salem. The City of Salem paid $ 45,000 in federal money. In the long term, the projected cost to rehabilitate just the barracks
1071-596: Is widely noted for the Salem witch trials of 1692, which strongly informs the city's cultural identity into the present. Some of Salem's police cars are adorned with witch logos, a public elementary school is known as Witchcraft Heights, and the Salem High School athletic teams are named the Witches. Gallows Hill was originally believed to be the site of the executions during the Witch Trials, but in 2016
1134-476: The Dorothy Talbye Trial , where a mentally ill woman was hanged for murdering her daughter because Massachusetts made no distinction at the time between insanity and criminal behavior. William Hathorne was a prosperous entrepreneur in early Salem and became one of its leading citizens. He led troops to victory in King Philip's War , served as a magistrate on the highest court, and was chosen as
1197-625: The John Tucker Daland House , and the Phillips Library (the latter two are physically connected). The John Ward House , which fronts on Brown Street but shares the 132 Essex Street address, is another National Historic Landmark within the district. The Andrew Safford House at 13 Washington Square West, built in 1819, was said to be the most expensive home in New England at the time. The principal buildings of
1260-715: The Peirce-Nichols House and Hamilton Hall . The Witch House or Jonathan Corwin House ( c. 1642 ) is also located in the district. Samuel McIntire's house and workshop were located at 31 Summer Street in what is now the Samuel McIntire Historic District . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 18.1 square miles (47 km ), of which 8.1 square miles (21 km )
1323-693: The Salem Common Historic District in 1976. On December 8, 2017, much to the dismay of Salem residents, Dan L. Monroe, PEM's Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Director and CEO, issued a press release announcing that the 42,000 linear feet of historical documents will be permanently relocated to Rowley, MA and Plummer Hall and Daland House, the two historic buildings which had housed the Phillips Library, will be utilized as office and meeting space. Salem, Massachusetts Salem ( / ˈ s eɪ l ə m / SAY -ləm )
SECTION 20
#17327722972941386-669: The War of 1812 . Following the American Revolution , many ships used as privateers were too large for short voyages in the coasting trade, and their owners determined to open new avenues of trade to distant countries. The young men of the town, fresh from service on the armed ships of Salem, were eager to embark in such ventures. Captain Nathaniel Silsbee, his first mate Charles Derby, and second mate Richard J. Cleveland were not yet twenty years old when they set sail on
1449-515: The West Indies , imported sugar and molasses from the West Indies , tea from China, and products depicted on the city seal from the East Indies —in particular Sumatran pepper. Salem ships also visited Africa in the slave trade— Zanzibar in particular. They also traveled to Russia , Japan , and Australia . The sail frigate USS Essex was built at one of Enos Briggs 's shipyards on Winter Island in 1799. The neutrality of
1512-499: The 19th century. Boston and New York City eclipsed Salem and its silting harbor. Consequently, the city turned to manufacturing. Industries included tanneries , shoe factories, and the Naumkeag Steam Cotton Company. The Great Salem Fire of 1914 destroyed over 400 homes and left 3,500 families homeless but spared the historic concentration of Federal architecture on Chestnut Street. A memorial plaque on
1575-617: The American cause, including Francis Cabot, William Pynchon, Thomas Barnard, E. A. Holyoke, and William Pickman. During the American Revolutionary War , the town became a center for privateering. The documentation is incomplete, but about 1,700 Letters of Marque were granted during that time, issued on a per-voyage basis. Nearly 800 vessels were commissioned as privateers and are credited with capturing or destroying about 600 British ships. Privateering resumed during
1638-611: The City of Salem as a historic house museum. Hamilton Hall is located on Chestnut Street, where many grand mansions can be traced to the roots of the Old China Trade . Hamilton Hall was built in 1805 by Samuel McIntire and is considered one of his best pieces. It was declared a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service in 1970. In recent years, tourism has been an occasional source of debate in
1701-454: The City of Salem completed plans for the 30-acre (12 ha) Winter Island Park and squared off against residents who are against bringing two power-generating windmills to the tip of Winter Island. The Renewable Energy Task Force, along with the Energy and Sustainability Manager, Paul Marquis, have recommended the construction of a 1.5-megawatt power turbine at the tip of Winter Island, which
1764-688: The Massachusetts Bay Charter was issued creating the Massachusetts Bay Colony with Matthew Craddock as its governor in London and Endecott as its governor in the colony. John Winthrop was elected Governor in late 1629, and arrived with the Winthrop Fleet in 1630, one of the many events that began the Puritan Great Migration . In 1639, Endecott, among others, signed the building contract for enlarging
1827-515: The Naumkeag. Many Naumkeag died in a war with the Tarrantine and as a result of a smallpox epidemic in 1617–1619, including their powerful sachem Nanepashemet . The disease had probably been contracted by members who came into contact with European fishermen or explorers. Their strength was reduced just prior to the arrival of English settlers in 1626 to what became modern-day Salem. In 1633,
1890-850: The Phillips Library and south of Brown Street is a garden area that includes two other historical structures: the Vaughan Doll House, a modest late 17th century one-room structure that may have been a Quaker meeting house, and the Lyle-Tapley Shoe Shop. They both stand near the John Ward House, which faces into the garden as well. Just to the east of the Daland House stands the Gardner-Pingree House, an elegant Federal mansion built in 1804 by noted Salem architect Samuel McIntire . To its east, at
1953-522: The Second Corps of Cadets gather in front of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, where the body of their founder, Stephen Abbott, is buried. They lay a wreath, play " Taps " and fire a 21-gun salute . In another annual commemoration, soldiers gather at Old Salem Armory to honor soldiers who were killed in the Battles of Lexington and Concord . On April 14, 2012, Salem celebrated the 375th anniversary of
Essex Institute Historic District - Misplaced Pages Continue
2016-693: The United States was tested during the Napoleonic Wars . After the Chesapeake–Leopard affair , Congress passed the Embargo Act of 1807 . President Thomas Jefferson closed all ports, an economic blow to the seaport town of Salem. The embargo was the starting point on the path to the War of 1812 . Both the United Kingdom and France imposed trade restrictions to weaken each other's economies. This disrupted American trade and tested
2079-544: The United States' neutrality. Royal Navy ships frequently interdicted U.S. merchant ships trading with France and seized their goods, and at times would impress American sailors. The Federal period (1788–1845) marks the beginning of U.S. international relations. Salem had established trade relations with merchants in distant lands, which were a source of livelihood and prosperity for many. Charles Endicott, master of Salem merchantman Friendship , returned in 1831 to report Sumatran natives had plundered his ship, murdering
2142-466: The Witch Memorial and Burying Point Cemetery, the second oldest burying ground in the United States. The Gedney House is a historic house museum built c. 1665 and is the 2nd oldest house in Salem. One of the most popular houses in Salem is The Witch House , the only structure in Salem with direct ties to the Salem witch trials of 1692. The Witch House is owned and operated by
2205-435: The city, with some residents arguing the city should downplay witch tourism and market itself as a more upscale cultural center. In 2005, the conflict came to a head over plans by the cable television network TV Land to erect a bronze statue of Elizabeth Montgomery , who played the comic witch "Samantha" in the 1960s series Bewitched . A few special episodes of the series were actually filmed in Salem, and TV Land said that
2268-550: The corner of Essex and Washington Square West, stands the Bentley-Crowninshield House, a c. 1727 Georgian house that was relocated from a site across Essex Street in 1860. The Andrew-Safford House is behind the Bentley-Crowninshield House, facing Salem Common. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972; all of the properties in the district were also included in
2331-647: The district are the Daland House and the Phillips Library, the latter of which was the main Essex Institute building. The Daland House was built in 1851, the Library in 1857, and the combination now serve as the library and research facility of the Peabody Essex Museum. The Library is a two-story building, although the second floor is two normal stories high (with suitably large windows), and originally served as exhibition space. The area behind
2394-550: The drawbridge at the North River on North Street, preventing British Colonel Alexander Leslie and his 300 troops of the 64th Regiment of Foot from seizing stores and ammunition hidden in North Salem. Both parties came to an agreement and no blood was shed that day, but war broke out at Lexington and Concord soon after. A group of prominent merchants with ties to Salem published a statement retracting what some interpreted as Loyalist leanings and professing their dedication to
2457-546: The extraordinary profit of seven hundred per cent. The Empress of China , formerly a privateer, was refitted as the first American ship to sail from New York to China . By 1790, Salem had become the sixth-largest city in the country, and a world-famous seaport —particularly in the China Trade . It had a large cod fishing industry, conducted off the Newfoundland Banks. It exported codfish to Europe and
2520-478: The first muster on Salem Common, with more than 1,000 troops taking part in ceremonies and a parade. Samuel McIntire was one of the first architects in the United States, and his work is a prime example of early Federal-style architecture . The Samuel McIntire Historic District is one of the largest concentrations of 17th and 18th century domestic structures in America. It includes McIntire commissions such as
2583-622: The first officer and two crewmen. Following public outcry, President Andrew Jackson ordered the Potomac on the First Sumatran Expedition , which departed New York City on August 19, 1831. In another direction, diplomat Edmund Roberts negotiated a treaty with Said bin Sultan, Sultan of Muscat and Oman on September 21, 1833. In 1837, the sultan moved his main place of residence to Zanzibar and welcomed Richard Waters,
Essex Institute Historic District - Misplaced Pages Continue
2646-442: The first speaker of the House of Deputies. He was a zealous advocate of the personal rights of freemen against royal emissaries and agents. His son Judge John Hathorne came to prominence in the late 17th century when witchcraft was a serious felony. Judge Hathorne is the best known of the witch trial judges, and he became known as the "Hanging Judge" for sentencing accused witches to death. On February 26, 1775, patriots raised
2709-600: The meeting house in Town House Square for the first church in Salem. This document remains part of the town records at City Hall. He was active in the affairs of the town throughout his life. Samuel Skelton was the first pastor of the First Church of Salem , which is the original Puritan church in America. Endecott already had a close relationship with Skelton, having been converted by him, and Endecott considered him as his spiritual father. Salem's harbor
2772-462: The other county seat of Essex County. Salem is bordered by Beverly to the north, Danvers to the northwest, Peabody to the west, Lynn to the south, Swampscott to the southeast, and Marblehead to the southeast. The town's water rights extend along a channel into Massachusetts Bay between the water rights of Marblehead and Beverly. According to the Köppen climate classification , Salem has either
2835-505: The population (9.1% Dominican , 2.9% Puerto Rican , 0.5% Mexican , 0.3% Guatemalan ). Non-Hispanic Whites were 75.9% of the population in 2010, compared to 95.9% in 1980. There were 17,492 households, out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. Of all households 34.9% were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who
2898-421: The practice was all but eliminated, with many slaves winning their freedom. In 1768, Samuel Hall established Salem's first print shop and founded The Essex Gazette Salem's first newspaper, and the third to emerge in Massachusetts. One of the most widely known aspects of Salem is its history of witchcraft allegations, which started with Abigail Williams , Betty Parris , and their friends playing "with
2961-491: The settlers to survive the first two years, but John Endecott replaced him by order of the Massachusetts Bay Company . Conant stepped aside and was granted 200 acres (0.81 km ) of land in compensation. These "New Planters" and the "Old Planters" agreed to cooperate because of the diplomacy of Conant and Endecott. To recognize this peaceful transition to the new government, the name of the settlement
3024-560: The station's primary areas of responsibility. During its first year of operation, Salem crews performed 26 medical evacuations. They flew in all kinds of weather, and the radio direction capabilities of the aircraft were of significant value in locating vessels in distress. During World War II (1939–1945), air crews from Salem flew neutrality patrols along the coast, and the Air Station roster grew to 37 aircraft. Anti-submarine patrols flew regularly. In October 1944, Air Station Salem
3087-408: The statue commemorated the 35th anniversary of those episodes. The statue was sculpted by StudioEIS under the direction of brothers Elliott and Ivan Schwartz. Many felt the statue was good fun and appropriate to a city that promotes itself as "The Witch City", and contains a street named "Witch Way". Others objected to the use of public property for what was transparently commercial promotion. There
3150-565: The time of contact in the early 1600s. Naumkeag was a major settlement for the indigenous group that controlled territory from the Merrimack to the Mystic rivers. The English and other Europeans referred to them as the Naumkeag people . There are probable indigenous settlement sites near the mouths of the North, South, and Forest rivers in Salem. The contact period was a disastrous time for
3213-569: The top 100 until the 20th century. As of the census of 2010, there were 41,340 people, 19,130 households, and 9,708 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,986.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,925.1/km ). There were 18,175 housing units at an average density of 2,242.7 per square mile (865.9/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 81.5% White , 4.9% African American , 0.2% Native American , 2.6% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 6.7% from other races , and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.6% of
SECTION 50
#17327722972943276-485: The two land causeways to Winter Island), and Juniper Cove. The city is further divided by Collins Cove and the inlet to the North River. The Forest River flows through the southern end of town, along with Strong Water Brook, which feeds Spring Pond at the town's southwestern corner. The town has several parks, as well as conservation land along the Forest River and Camp Lion, which lies east of Spring Pond . The city
3339-532: The world over a dozen times and returned to Salem after each voyage with goods from all over the world. The original was taken by the British during the War of 1812, then stripped and sold in pieces. In 2006, with the assistance of a 1.6 million dollar grant and additional funds provided by the City of Salem, Mayor Driscoll launched The Nathaniel Bowditch , a 92-foot catamaran with a top speed of 30 knots which makes
3402-408: Was $ 1.5 million. But in the short term, there are multiple lower-cost items, like a proposed $ 15,000 kayak dock or $ 50,000 to relocate and improve the bathhouse. This is a very important project since Fort Pickering guarded Salem Harbor as far back as the 17th century. In 1637, the first muster was held on Salem Common , where for the first time a regiment of militia drilled for the common defense of
3465-450: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.95. In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.2% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males. The median income for
3528-635: Was among the wealthiest and most celebrated of post-Revolutionary merchants in Salem. Derby was also the owner of the Grand Turk, the first New England vessel to trade with China and the second, after the Empress of China, to sail from the United States. Thomas H. Perkins was his supercargo and established strong ties with the Chinese and garnered the Forbes fortune through his illegal opium sales. Salem
3591-424: Was changed to Salem, the hellenized name of Shalem (שָׁלֵם), the royal city of Melchizedek , which is identified with Jerusalem . In 1628, Endecott ordered that the Great House be moved from Cape Ann, reassembling it on Washington Street north of Church Street. Francis Higginson wrote that "we found a faire house newly built for the Governor" which was remarkable for being two stories high. A year later,
3654-451: Was deep enough to host a seadrome with three sea lanes, offering a variety of take-off headings irrespective of wind direction unless there was a strong steady wind from the east. This produced enormous waves that swept into the mouth of the harbor and hampered water operations. When the seadrome was too rough, returning amphibian aircraft used the Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Beverly . Salem Air Station moved to Cape Cod in 1970. In 2011,
3717-406: Was defended by Fort Miller in Marblehead from 1632 to 1865, and by Fort Pickering on Winter Island from 1643 to 1865. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Salem was involved in the Atlantic slave trade , surpassing Boston in terms of the town's engagement with the triangular trade . Beginning in 1701 there was a steady political and social effort in Massachusetts to end slavery and by 1770
3780-560: Was designated as the first Air-Sea Rescue station on the eastern seaboard. The Martin PBM Mariner , a hold-over from the war, became the primary rescue aircraft. In the mid-1950s, helicopters came, as did Grumman HU-16 Albatross amphibious flying boats (UFs). The air station's missions included search and rescue, law enforcement, counting migratory waterfowl for the U.S. Biological Survey, and assisting icebound islands by delivering provisions. The station's surviving facilities are part of Salem's Winter Island Marine Park. Salem Harbor
3843-446: Was established at Juniper Point, a peninsula jutting into the harbor. Prosperity left the city with a wealth of fine architecture, including Federal-style mansions designed by one of America's first architects , Samuel McIntire, for whom the city's largest historic district is named. These homes and mansions now make up the greatest concentrations of notable pre-1900 domestic structures in the United States. Shipping declined throughout
SECTION 60
#17327722972943906-442: Was incorporated as a city on March 23, 1836, and adopted a city seal in 1839 with the motto " Divitis Indiae usque ad ultimum sinum ", Latin for "To the rich East Indies until the last lap." Nathaniel Hawthorne was overseer of Salem's port from 1846 until 1849. He worked in the U.S. Custom House across the street from the port near Pickering Wharf, his setting for the beginning of The Scarlet Letter . In 1858, an amusement park
3969-411: Was not until 1686, when the Massachusetts Bay Colony Charter was recalled by King James II in the creation of the Dominion of New England that Wenepoykin's heirs pressed their claim to the land of Salem, for which they were paid twenty pounds. Colonists settled Naumkeag in 1626 when a company of fishermen arrived from Cape Ann led by Roger Conant . Conant's leadership provided the stability for
#293706