Salem Architectural History Walking Tour

Do you love architecture? We do! No trip to Salem is complete without a tour of the most beautiful sections of Salem. Come experience over three centuries of architecture from First Period American, to Georgian Colonial and the stately Federal style. Your guide will wind you through the cobblestoned streets of Salem, discovering hidden gems, viewing over two dozen sites, and sharing stories of Salem's rise to becoming the wealthiest city in the country in the 18th century.
We discuss how Salem is at once a modern and (by American standards) very, very old city, and one where the 17th century and the 21st century not only go hand in hand, but cheek to cheek. Every aspect of American history from warfare to trade to religion to industry is reflected in the structures that still stand (and are still being used) to tell the story of this legendary town.
Tours run RAIN or SHINE. We do NOT cancel for weather. For a full refund, you must cancel 24 hours prior.

Meeting Point

32 Derby Square

32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970, USA

We meet on the side of the Old Town Hall with 3 staircases

What's included:

• Architectural Guide of Salem
• Licensed Guide

Not included:

• Gratuity not included

What to expect:

Duration: between 1 hour, 30 minutes and 2 hours

Red's Sandwich Shop

15 Central St, Salem, MA 01970, USA

We talk about the location (in close proximity) of Red's (London Coffee House) Diehl-Marcus building (oldest extant bank building in Salem) and the 1803 Customs Building.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Custom House

178 Derby St, Salem, 01970-5136, Massachusetts

This is where we touch on Salem's history of spice trade, her motto (and why we have it), point out where the old ship building yard used to be (near where the Adirondack chairs are located at the far end of the open space) and then discuss the mansions visible from near Derby Wharf.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Salem Witch Trials Memorial

24 Liberty St, Off Charter Street, Salem, 01970, Massachusetts

We discuss the witch trials and the Pickman House.

10 minutes

Salem Common

Washington Sq, Salem, 01970, Massachusetts

We point out the Hocus Pocus location (the old school) but then talk about how Salem Common evolved, from a series of marshy pools and unusable ground in the 17th and early 18th centuries, to the manicured pleasure park of the 19th century, and how it became the new fashionable district starting in the mid-to-late 19th century, Salem's last gasp of wealth and mansions, with Second Empire and Greek Revival style buildings.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

The Derby House

160 Derby St, Salem, 01970-5643, Massachusetts

This is a discussion of Georgian architecture, and how this simple building reflects the burgeoning wealth and power of Salem and New England merchants as a whole.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Daniels House Tours

1 Daniels St, Salem, 01970-5214, Massachusetts

We talk about how First Period buildings were modified and adapted to reflect current trends and tastes over the centuries.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Narbonne House

71 Essex St, Salem, 01970-5252, Massachusetts

a perfect way to show how 17th century (First Period) architecture could be (and was) added to and modified to enlarge it.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Saint Peter's Episcopal Church

24 Saint Peter St, Salem, 01970-3820, Massachusetts

We touch on the unique religious heritage of Salem.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Peabody Essex Museum

161 Essex St, Yin Yu Tang House, Salem, 01970, Massachusetts

Discussion of the Peabody-Essex Museum, and its origins, and showing how one side of Essex Street retains its 19th century appearance (mostly) and how the Witch City Mall shows the attempt to "modernize" Salem during the destructive period of the 1960s.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included