House of the Seven Gables

The House of the 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 over the years, adding a wing and a garret with three gables. The visitor's center (6,000 square foot) was added in 1994.

We are perhaps most familiar with the house through The House of the Seven Gables published by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1851, his third novel. Hawthorne was known to visit his cousin Susannah Ingersoll at the family home on Turner Street. Though Hawthorne claimed the book was not set at the house, many similarities between the two have been noticed over the years.

In 1908, the house was bought by the House of the 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 recent immigrant families, especially Polish immigrants, with services like literacy and job placement and was a community center for social activities as well. The house opened as a museum in 1910. Joseph Everett Chandler restored the 1668 Turner Ingersoll House between 1908-1910 to make what we now know as House of the Seven Gables.

In the yard stood a huge tree, a chestnut tree estimated at 150 years old. It is speculated to have been planted by one of the sea captains, an exotic specimen brought back from a voyage. Robyn Kanter, landscape designer who works at the Gables identifies it as a Chinese Chestnut tree. Unfortunately the tree had to come down in 2002. A new mature chestnut tree was planted to replace it in March 2020.

The gardens at the Gables are full of historic touches. There rose trellis at the center of the main garden first appeared in photos in the 1920's. It was said to be copied from one that existed in an old garden on the grounds of the Andrew-Safford House. The Wisteria Arbor nearby is another feature added in the 1920's. The variety, Wysteria sinesis, was introduced to the region during the height of the China Trade and was a favorite in Salem gardens.

Over time Emmerton and the organization’s trustees acquired and moved to the site five additional 17th, 18th and 19th century structures: The Retire Becket House (1655); The Hooper Hathaway House (1682); Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Birthplace (c1750); The Phippen House (c1782); and The Counting House (c 1830). The House of the Seven Gables’ campus constitutes is own national historic district on The National Register of Historic Places.
The House of the Seven Gables was selected in 2007 to be placed on the list of National Historic Places, the highest designation the federal government gives to historic properties.
Anita Blackaby became the newest director of the site beginning in 2008, bringing 30 years of professional museum experience.
In 2010, the Gables eliminated some of the children's programs at the Settlement House due to financial challenges and duplication of services. The after-school and camp programs were costly to run and had declined in enrollment. New partnerships have begun with various community organizations, many whose programs align with the spirit and intent of The Settlement's mission. Some of these are: Express Yourself, Inc. of Beverly, Salem CyberSpace, The Plummer Home for Boys in Salem, and St. Peter's Episcopal Church/Iglesia Episcopal San Pedro & the Family Self-Sufficiency Center, in Salem.
In 2015, under the leadership of Executive Director Kara McLaughlin, the Gables is embarking on a restoration of two rooms in the house that have not been renovated or open to the public before. This is in anticipation of their 350th anniversary.
The House of the Seven Gables has announced a new Research Library is opening in 2019, housed in the Hooper-Hathaway House. It contains 600 books, and nearly as many periodicals and documents. The collection also contains Nathaniel Hawthorne items, and a rare collection from Dan Foley, Salem native and esteemed landscape architect. The research library is open to members only.
Gables Director Kara McLaughlin announced she was stepping down in June of 2022. The new executive Director, Dakota Russel took over the position in June 2022.