Derby House
Derby House is the oldest brick dwelling to survive in Salem. Richard Derby had the house built for his son, Elias Hasket Derby in 1762.
It is a gambrel-roofed Georgian style home. Measures to restore it was begun by the Society for the Presevation of New England
Antiquities in 1927. Currently it is part of the Park Service's Derby wharf area. SPNEA gave the building to the organization in 1938.
Derby and his wife lived in the brick house until 1777 or 78 and all of their seven children were born there.
Behind the Deby house is a lovely period garden. This 18th century garden was designed by historic garden expert Suzanne Gentiliuomo in 1990 to replicate the outdoor spaces
common among wealthy merchants in the lifetime of Elias Hasket Derby. Today, the Derby House garden contains more than 150 varieties of heirloom annuals, perennials and bulbs,
all documented to 1798 or earlier.
See Also
Vertical File in Salem Collection- Derby House (Richard)
Derby House National Park Service
Postcard (above) images of the interior of the Derby House; Southwest Parlor; Southeast Bedchamber; Kitchen; Northeast Sitting Room.
Be-witched in historic Salem, Massachusetts Salem Chamber of Commerce, 1967, p. 28-30
