House of the Seven Gables

From Salem Links and Lore
Revision as of 12:20, 26 December 2008 by Jstrom (talk | contribs)
  • The House of Seven Gables was built in 1668 for Capt. John Turner, a successful merchant, and remained in his family for three generations. "Facing south toward the harbor, it was at first a two-room, two-and-one-half-story, central-chimney plan with two "Gothic" cross-gables in front" according to Tolles in his book, Architecture in Salem.
  • The house was altered and added onto for many years adding a wing and a garret with three gables.
  • We are perhaps most familiar with the house through Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous book The House of the Seven Gables.
  • In 1908, the house was bought by the House of Seven Gables Settlement Association, founded by Caroline O. Emmerton who used the admission fees to help support the Association's nearby settlement house. The Association was set up to help support immigrant's families with services like literacy and job placement.

See Also

  • Vertical File in Salem Collection - House of Seven Gables
  • "New Gables director wants to reconnect with North Shore" Salem News, Apr.3, 2008, p.2
  • "Gables to celebrate pick as national historic landmark" Salem News, Sept. 17, 2007. p.A2