Chestnut Street

• First laid out in 1796, it took on its present form from 1800-1840 when most of its houses were built.

• The street is part of the McIntire Historic District and the entire street is on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Two prominent buildings are the Stephen Phillips House (#34) and Hamilton Hall (#9).

• The width of the street (80 ft.) was this big so that horse drawn carriages could turn around without difficulty.

• Chestnut Street Days was a popular tradition started in 1926 and repeated 4 more times over a fifty year period. Houses were open to the public, bands were brought in for entertainment and residents dressed in period clothing. Proceeds were earmarked for specific projects for Chestnut Street.

• The 19th century gardens behind and next to the beautiful houses on Chestnut Street are highlighted in Donna Seger's blog Streets of Salem. These were especially grand from 1830 to 1850.

Here is the link: Celebrated gardens of Salem Streets of Salem

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Chestnut Street

Notes on the building of Chestnut Street R. H. Wiswall

Chestnut Street 40 years ago J.D. Phillips

Chestnut Street Area Historic District Salem Historical Commission, 1980

Old Salem gardens Salem Garden Club, 1946.

"Tales of Chestnut Street; Focus is on house stories as owners open door for tour" Salem News, Apr. 26, 2012, p. 9

"Paved with history: Historic Chestnut Street was home to Salem's first mayor" Jim McAllister for Essex County Chronicles, Salem News, Oct. 25, 2010, p. 12

"Preserving old city's drawing card: Residents try to save Federalist architecture" Boston Sunday Globe, Jan. 2, 2005, p. N5

"Salem's Chestnut Street Associates a pioneer in preservation movement" Salem News, Mar. 12, 2007, B5