Manning, Robert

Known for his gardens off Dearborn Street in North Salem, Robert Manning (Sr.) was an enterprising and successful fruit grower, or pomologist. In 1822, he bought three acres of land and laid out his garden, which he called "The Pomological Garden." He built a house at #33 Dearborn in 1824 for his bride. He obtained trees and scions through European growers, to test for their adaptability to this country. He grew pears, apples, plums, peaches and cherries. He wrote several books on fruits with John M. Ives. He became librarian and secretary of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and was editor of its history and other publications. The Manning Cottage at 26 Dearborn, built for Nathaniel Hawthorne's mother Elizabeth, sits across from the family home, having been moved across the street in 1852. Nathaniel and his mother lived there just after he graduated from Bowdoin College, from 1828-1832.

See Also

The New England Book of Fruit by Robert Manning, 1847

Old Salem Gardens Salem Garden Club, p. 18-19

Architecture in Salem Bryant F. Tolles, p. 265