This year, Salem is commemorating 400 years since its founding in 1626, and few parts of the city tell that story quite like its homes.
Long before 1626, the area known as Naumkeag was home to a thriving Indigenous community. Over the four centuries since Salem’s founding, the city has continued to grow and evolve, leaving generations of architecture throughout its neighborhoods.
From early colonial homes to Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Victorian, and more modern properties, Salem’s housing offers a unique look at how the city has changed while preserving so much of its past.
400 Years of Salem Architecture
Salem’s architecture reflects many different periods of the city’s history. Some of its earliest surviving homes date to the 17th century, while later periods of growth brought Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Victorian, and other architectural styles.
The Pierce Nichols House (Photo courtesy of Peabody Essex Museum)
One name closely connected to Salem architecture is Samuel McIntire, the Salem-born architect and woodcarver whose work became closely associated with the Federal style found throughout the city. Many examples of his work and influence can still be seen in and around what is now the McIntire Historic District.
Today, these different architectural periods exist alongside one another, making Salem, Massachusetts, a distinctive place for anyone interested in historic homes and New England architecture.
The Stories Behind Salem’s Historic Homes
Salem’s homes also reflect the people and industries that shaped the city. During its years as an important maritime center, successful merchants and sea captains built homes that remain part of Salem’s architectural landscape today.
The Peirce-Nichols House is one example. Built in 1782 for merchant and ship captain Jerathmiel Peirce and designed by Samuel McIntire, the property originally extended through terraced gardens to the North River, allowing Peirce to dock his ship at the foot of his property.
Homes like this offer more than interesting architecture. They provide a glimpse into the generations of people who lived and worked in Salem as the city grew and changed.
Photo courtesy of historicmassachusetts.org
What It Means to Own an Older Home Today
For today’s buyers, original woodwork, fireplaces, historic windows, craftsmanship, and other architectural details can be part of the appeal of buying an older home in Salem. But age can also bring additional considerations that may not be as common with newer construction.
A thorough home inspection is particularly important. Electrical and plumbing systems, foundations, roofing, insulation, heating systems, and other components may have been repaired or updated at different points throughout the home’s life.
Buyers may also want to consider energy efficiency, insurance, future maintenance, and the cost of preserving or replacing older materials and features.
For many homeowners, the goal becomes finding the right balance between making necessary updates and preserving the original details that give an older Salem home its character.
Buying an Older Home in Salem: What to Consider
One important distinction for buyers is that an older home is not necessarily a designated historic property, and not every historic property is subject to the same restrictions.
The corner of Chestnut and Cambridge Streets in Salem, Massachusetts, around 1865-85 and 2017. This was once the site of South Church, which was designed by prominent architect Samuel McIntire.
When evaluating a home, buyers should understand whether the property is located within one of Salem’s local historic districts and what, if any, additional requirements may apply to future improvements.
That can be particularly important if you’re already thinking about replacing windows or doors, changing siding or roofing, building an addition, or making other exterior improvements.
Beyond historic-district considerations, buyers should look carefully at how a property has been maintained and updated over time. A home that has stood for 100, 200, or even 300 years may have undergone many renovations, additions, and system upgrades along the way.
Understanding both the history of the property and its current condition can help buyers make a more informed decision about what ownership may look like going forward.
Preserving Salem for the Next 400 Years
Salem currently has four local historic districts: McIntire, Derby Street, Lafayette Street, and Washington Square. The City of Salem Historical Commission reviews applications for work on properties within these districts.
For homeowners considering exterior changes to a property within a local historic district, it is important to understand whether Historical Commission review or approval may be required before beginning work. Buyers considering one of these properties may want to review the city’s requirements before making plans for future renovations.
Preserving an older property doesn’t necessarily mean keeping everything exactly as it was. For many homeowners, it means finding a balance between maintaining the features that give a home its character and adapting the property to meet the needs of modern life.
As Salem commemorates 400 years, its homes are a reminder of just how much the city has changed while keeping so much of its history visible. The people who care for these properties today are helping carry that history into Salem’s next chapter.
Considering buying or selling an older home in Salem? Aluxety’s local real estate professionals can help you understand the Salem real estate market, evaluate the considerations that come with older properties, and navigate your next move in Salem and throughout the North Shore.