17th Century Architecture - Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, MA 01970, USA


17th Century Architecture in Salem, Massachusetts

First Period Architecture (approx. 1626-1725) is often characterized by a steeply pitched roof and a central chimney. This colonial style is strongly associated with New England, particularly North America's earliest European settlers which built homes along the coast of Massachusetts. Many of these homes have been greatly altered from their original 17th century construction or re-imagined as they once were. This list focuses on 17th century homes, additional First Period homes built in the early 18th century still exist in Salem.
  • Samuel Robinson-Michael Chapleman House, c. 1650
    69 Essex Street
    SAL.2591
    Unsubstantiated -This home has been greatly altered.
  • Retire Becket House, c. 1655
    54 Turner Street
    SAL.3427
    Moved to current location in 1924
  • Pickering House, 1660
    18 Broad Street
    SAL.1044

    Oldest house in original location
  • Pickman House, 1664
    43 Charter Street
    SAL.2506
  • Gedney House, 1665
    21 High Street
    SAL.1156
  • Stephen Daniels House, c. 1667
    1 Daniels Street
    SAL.2616
  • Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, 1668
    (The House of the Seven Gables)
    54 Turner Street
    SAL.3425
  • Ransom Boarding House, c. 1670
    14 Becket Street
    SAL.3277
    Unsubstantiated
  • Jonathan Corwin House, c. 1675
    (The Witch House)
    310 Essex Street
    SAL.1510
  • Narbonne House, 1675
    71 Essex Street
    SAL.2593
  • Hooper-Hathaway House, c. 1682
    54 Turner Street
    SAL.3426
  • John Ward House c. 1684
    Brown Street
    SAL.2454
  • William Murray House, c. 1688
    39 Essex Street
    SAL.3239

Resource Guide - Photographs of Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, MA, USA
54 Washington Street, c. 1920
Salem State University Archives and Special Collections
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Historical Photographs of Salem, Massachusetts

Almshouse and Hospital for Contagious Diseases Burial Ground - Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, MA, USA

 Frank Cousins, Almshouse on Salem Neck, c. 1890. Digital Commonwealth, Phillips Library.

The last almshouse to be built in Salem, opened in 1816 on Collins Cove. It was large — five stories — and was designed by Charles Bulfinch of Boston. 


Excerpt from 1815 report requesting a new Almshouse
City of Salem Archives
Bulfinch’s almshouse was intended to house 100 residents, many of whom were expected to work the adjacent farm to offset the cost of their stay. In 1884, after years of overcrowding, an additional building, designed by W.D. Dennis, was built on the property to serve as a hospital for contagious diseases. In all, the site was active for over a century and burials are often referenced in city documents. This cemetery would have served as the only option for patients who were unable to afford a funeral or that had no family to claim their remains. 


Hospital for Contagious Diseases, c. 1980
Jim McAllister

The almshouse building was razed in 1954, and the adjacent hospital in the 1980s to make way for the Collins Cove Condominium Complex. Many locals recall playing among the headstones as children while the site sat unused. During construction of the condo complex, at least five headstones were reported to have been uncovered, yet their whereabouts are unknown. The burial site remains unmarked and is only identifiable by the remnant of a single slate headstone. The names of those who rest here have yet to be discovered, though with additional research their identities may be revealed.

Collins Cove Condominium Complex, 2019

UPDATE: Jen Ratliff, with the assistance of Historic Salem, Inc. has reached out to the City of Salem and Collins Cove Condo Association to request the burial ground be properly marked and honored. This request received the support of the Historical Commission on 11/6/2019. The City is working toward erecting a memorial and informational sign to honor this site.

UPDATE: View the Almshouse Burial Ground Memorial Proposal and Letters of Support

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