7 Curtis Street - Salem, Massachusetts

7 Curtis Street, 1985 (MACRIS SAL.2569)

Historic Salem, Inc. House History - 7 Curtis Street

Horatio B. Perry Gunsmith
and his wife Sarah Ashton
Built c. 1856

The address of Seven Curtis Street is first listed in the city directory in 1857, when it was owned by Horatio B. Perry, a gunsmith. The current home’s exterior contains Georgian elements, a popular style between 1715-1780. However, the home faces North, which is uncharacteristic for a Georgian home. This may be evidence that the home was moved to this site. According to Vijay Joyce, a member of the Salem Historical Commission, the home does contain timber framing, which was still in use in the 1850s. Maps from 1851 and 1872 show a similarly shaped structure positioned flush with Curtis Street. It is possible the home was later turned to face North to create space for additional homes to be built. Based on available evidence, what is now Seven Curtis Street may have previously been referred to as Four Orange Street. Between 1850 and 1856 mariner, Joseph Karier lived at this adjacent address, which disappears from city directories the same year that Seven Curtis Street is first listed. Deeds for Seven Curtis Street cite an 1849 sale of land to Joseph Karier as the origin of ownership.  A connection between Karier and the Perry family is unknown but by September 1856 the ownership of this land was transferred between them and a home was present. By 1874, Seven Curtis Street was in its present, north-facing orientation. 

Read more: www.historicsalem.org

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Memoirs - Salem, Massachusetts

A collection of memoirs written by Salemites that have been digitized and made accessible online.

• A half century in Salem, 1887
  Marianne Cabot Devereaux Silsebee
  
• Chestnut street 40 years ago, 1938
  James Duncan Phillips
  
• Diary of William Bentley. 1905-1914
  Rev. William Bentley
  
• Old Salem, 1886
  Eleanor Putnam
  
• Reminiscences of my life, 1910
  Annie Crowninshield Warren
  
• When I lived in Salem, 1937
  Caroline Howard King
  
• Youthful Recollections of Salem, 1869
  Benjamin F. Brown
  
• Memoir of John Endecott, First Governor of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, 1847
  John Endecott

#SalemTogether

History by the Sea is excited to participate in Salem Together. A community based initiative highlighting how Salem's history can inspire during difficult times. Each week, we will be partnering with local institutions and historians to share stories of strength and resiliency from Salem's past.

"Salem has faced hard times in the past - fires, storms, epidemics, wars, economic crisis, etc. - but throughout these dark periods, residents displayed collective strength, resiliency and perseverance. As the city once again faces a time of fear and uncertainty during COVID-19, these stories from the past of the city coming together to overcome terrible times can help to inspire us as we seek to overcome our current circumstances. The Mayor has teamed with the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem State University, The Salem News and local historians to share these stories through on individual websites and blogs and collectively through #SalemTogether and on the Preserving Salem website. Every week a new theme will be explored beginning with stories from the Great Salem Fire of 1914." - Preserving Salem

Read More

• Bringing #SalemTogether through its history

• Drawing on its nearly 400-year history, Salem rallies to fight pandemic

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Candles

History by the Sea Candle Collection 

 A collaboration with Herbal Candle Co., the History by the Sea candle collection captures the essence of historic Salem, Massachusetts. Each candle is hand poured using soy wax and all-natural essential oils, inspired by the "witch city." A brief history of the inspiration behind each scent can be found on the label.

A portion of sales are donated to Historic Salem, Inc. to support historic preservation.

October in Salem
APPLE + SPICE
patchouli, clove, cinnamon bark, chamomile, and balsam fir needle

Old Burying Point
FRESH EARTH + SMOKE
clove, cedarwood, frankincense, patchouli, line, tea tree, lavender, anise, and cinnamon bark

Salem Willows
SALT AIR + FLORAL
vetiver, lemon, myrrh, ylang ylang, lavender, and tea tree

Salem Common
FRESH CUT GRASS + CITRUS
patchouli, orange, cedarwood, lemon, and anise

Pioneer Village
ROSE + SMOKE
cinnamon leaf, rose, orange, and pine

The Witch House
PINE + SAGE
bay, sage, chamomile, and pine

Christmas in Salem
CITRUS + SPICE
clove, orange, and cinnamon

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Salem's Oldest Businesses - Salem, Massachusetts

Essex Street, c. 1920
Salem State University Archives and Special Collections

Salem has long been a shopping and dinning destination. During the Great Age of Sail, Salem was a center of trade and access to foreign goods. In the 20th century, the city was home to the area's destination stores, attracting shoppers from Boston and throughout the North Shore to Salem's downtown. Although department stores have moved out of the city in favor of area shopping malls, multiple 19th century businesses and restaurants are still a mainstay in Salem. This list focuses on public facing businesses and restaurants that have provide goods or services for over 50 years.

1. Ye Old Pepper Candy Companie, 1806
2. Eastern Bank, 1818
3. Salem Five Cents Savings Bank, 1855
4. O'Rourke Brothers Memorials, 1890
5. Waters & Brown, 1895
6. E.W. Hobbs, 1897
7. Soucy Insurance, 1907
8. Thomas Mackey and Sons, 1907
9. Salem Lowe, 1912
10. Winer Brothers Hardware, 1919
11. Hawthorne Hotel, 1925
12. Puleo's Dairy, 1928
13. John J. Walsh Insurance Agency, 1929
14. Walyo's Variety Store, c. 1930
15. Steve's Market, 1932
16. Gardner Mattress, 1933
17. Bunghole Liquors, 1933
18. Bertini's Restaurant, 1943
19. F.W. Webb, 1944 (Salem Location)
20. Red's Sandwich Shop, 1945
21. Gagnon Shoe Repair, c. 1945
22. Dairy Witch Ice Cream, 1952
23. Dotty & Ray's, 1958
24. Eaton Apothecary, 1958
25. Tri City Sales, 1959
26. Dube's Seafood, 1961
27. Mandee's Pizza, 1962
28. The Daniels House Bed and Breakfast, 1962
29. Ziggy & Sons' Donuts, 1964
30. Bill & Bob's Roast Beef, 1969