 The House of the Seven Gables from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous novel is one of Salem’s most popular visitor attractions and provides a fascinating insight into New England life.
‘Half way down a by street of one of our New England towns stands a rusty wooden house, with seven acutely peaked gables facing towards various points of the compass and a huge clustered chimney in the midst.’
The house still stands just as Nathaniel Hawthorne described, it in The House of the Seven Gables published in 1851. Today the house is a popular visitor attraction for Hawthorne fans, literature buffs and curious eyes, offering an insight into life in 19th century New England. Guided tours take visitors behind the doors of the House of the Seven Gables detailing its history and how its residents lived.
The House was built in 1688 for Captain John Turner, a Salem merchant and features a range of architectural styles as it was continually added to during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The last owner Caroline Hamilton renovated the house as a recreation of Hawthorne’s second novel, including the secret staircase joining the dining room to the attic.
During its long history the house served as a B&B and something of a community centre and although Hawthorne never lived here, he did visit the House of the Seven Gables as a child.
Next door, is the house where Hawthorne was born, which was moved three blocks from its original site in 1958. This cosy little house has been restored to how it would have looked to Hawthorne in the four years he lived there and is also included on the tour.
The site also includes a museum store set in a 17th century shipbuilder’s residence where you can buy gifts souvenirs and Hawthrone’s novels and the elegantly kept garden is a nice spot for lunch while taking in the views of Salem harbour.
Location:
115 Derby Street, Salem, Massachusetts.
Opening times:
Jan-June: 10am-5pm
July – Sept: 10am-7pm
Oct: 9:30am-7pm
Nov – Dec 30: 10am-5pm
Dec 24 & Dec 31: 10am-2pm
Closed: Christmas Day, Thanksgiving and Jan 1- 12
Admission Fees:
Adults: $12
Seniors: $11
Children: $7.25
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