Downtown – Salem, Massachusetts
Salem has a wonderful mix of historical sites and unique public art to fill in many of the gaps in between. The two primary stories are related to the Witch trials and the lives tragically lost, and maritime activities that supported literary pursuits and an ambitious building program. Most notable is Nathaniel Hawthorne who lived in Salem and for many years worked at the Customs House.
Narbonne House, 1676, Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
Derby Wharf. This was the longest wharf in Salem and one of the busiest in America. The first 800 feet of the wharf was begun in 1762 and completed about 1770 by Capt. Richard Derby, Sr. During the War of Independence, American privateers sailed from here to prey on British ships on the high seas. In 1806 a 1300 foot extension to the wharf was completed. Through the 19th century exotic luxury items from Asia as well as raw materials for Salem’s growing industries continued to be unloaded on the wharf.
Site of the First Meeting House erected in Salem. No structure was built earlier for congregational worship by a church formed in America. Stood from 1634 until 1673. Preached in succession were Roger Williams, Edward Norris, Hugh Peters, and John Higginson. The First Church continued to occupy this spot from 1634 until 1923 when the Fourth Meeting House was left in favor of North Meeting House, thereafter known as the First Church.
Trolley Depot – A Strange Little Store in A Great Little City.
Public art project of figureheads.
Alexander Graham Bell transmitted speech through long lines of electrified wire. He lived here from 1873 to 1876. Bell made inventions and wrote the specifications for his patent of March 1876. The first press dispatch by phone was made on February 12, 1877 at an Essex Institute lecture on the telephone. A report of the lecture was sent to Boston by telephone.
Salem Witch Dungeon Museum.
Scenes related to the witch trials are on display. An actual artifact is the original beam from Salem’s Witch Dungeon which was located at 4 Federal St. It is said to have been discovered by Carlton C. Lutts on May 8, 1956, and subsequently put on loan to the Salem Witch Dungeon Museum.
