House of the Seven Gables

Welcome to Salem's premiere historic site, located on the Harbor! Discover 330 years of Salem's history as you experience this museum and collection of historic buildings. When you arrive at The House of the Seven Gables - which constitutes its own national historic district on The National Register of Historic places - professional guides will warmly greet you for an unforgettable historical experience. Outside, spectacular seaside gardens await you. Inside of The House of the Seven Gables, also known as the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, you will discover a mysterious secret staircase where you least expect it! Built in 1668, this is the oldest surviving 17th century wooden mansion in New England. The House of the Seven Gables inspired author Nathaniel Hawthorne to write his legendary novel of the same name. As a matter of fact, the very home where Hawthorne was born, was moved to The House of the Seven Gables and now lies just feet away from the mysterious mansion made famous in fiction. When you step into the Nathaniel Hawthorne House (c.1750), you will learn about the life of the famous author. But there's more... The House of the Seven Gables also has an 18th century granite sea wall, and two seaside Colonial Revival Gardens. The museum houses more than 2,000 artifacts and objects, more than 40 framed works, 500 photographs and glass plate negatives, and more than 50 volumes in our rare book library.