--- title: Historic Houses date: 2023-11-13T10:57:00-05:00 author: Caroline Herr canonical_url: "https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/historic-houses" section: Historic Houses --- Campus # Historic Houses Salem has a uniquely rich architectural heritage. Every major American architectural style is represented within its borders. PEM’s physical campus of historic houses and other buildings encompasses three city blocks. Currently, [Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home](https://www.pem.org/yin-yu-tang-a-chinese-home) is open year-round for self-guided tours. Timed reservations are required and entry is included in general admission. Historic [Ropes Mansion](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/ropes-mansion) is also open for tours from May 23 through October 18, 2026. Enjoy seasonal walking tours of over a dozen select historic houses and properties: [Brick by Brick: Salem's Hidden Architectural Stories](https://www.pem.org/events/brick-by-brick-salems-hidden-architectural-stories) and [Sinister Streets: Witch Trials, Murders & Literary Legends](https://www.pem.org/events/sinister-streets-witch-trials-murders-and-literary-legends). Curious to know what goes into keeping all of these historic houses in tiptop shape? Visit our [House Keeping](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/house-keeping) page. Additionally, view the incredibly detailed [LEGO recreations of our historic houses](https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/lego-recreations-of-pems-historic-houses) by artist and LEGO builder Jeff Chapman up close at 135 Essex Street, where you can also book a walking tour. - ![Historic Houses yyt top 2000 01](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/HistoricHouses_yyt_top_2000_01.jpg) - ![Historic Houses John Ward 520 02](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/HistoricHouses_JohnWard_520_02.jpg) - ![Historic Houses Derby Beebe 520 04](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/HistoricHouses_DerbyBeebe_520_04.jpg) - ![Historic Houses Ropes Mansion](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/HistoricHouses_ropes_520_04.jpg) ![A view through a pergola in the Ropes Mansion Garden](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/HistoricHouses_McintireGarden_1600_01.jpg) ## McIntire Historic District Located a short walk from PEM, this district is rich with Georgian- and Federal-style houses designed or influenced by renowned architect Samuel McIntire (1757–1811). [View map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/zBymmRJ1ihov2pdP9) [ ![Ropes Mansion](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/RopesMansion_1890_Share.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/ropes-mansion) #### Ropes Mansion and Garden Built in 1727–1729 0.4 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/ropes-mansion) [ ![Peirce-Nichols House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HH_pierceNichols_share_1800.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/peirce-nichols-house) #### Peirce-Nichols House Built in 1782 0.4 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/peirce-nichols-house) [ ![Cotting-Smith Assembly House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HHCottingSmith_1700_share_01.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/cotting-smith-house) #### Cotting-Smith Assembly House Built in 1782 0.6 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/cotting-smith-house) ![Essex Block Neighborhood](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/HH_EssexBlock_rofDetail_1700_01.jpg) ## Essex Block Neighborhood This is the center of the museum’s architectural collection. Three centuries of extraordinary New England architecture, set in Federal-style gardens, may be found within this one square city block. As a rule, the buildings whose exteriors are wood-clad have been moved to the site from elsewhere; those clad in brick or stone are original to the site. [View map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/NZth7pRZ7Vo3AHm78) [ ![Quaker Meeting House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HHQuakerMeetingHouse_1700_01share.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/quaker-meeting-house) #### Quaker Meeting House Built c. 1688 0.1 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/quaker-meeting-house) [ ![Lye-Tapley Shoe Shop](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HHLyeTapley_1700_share_01.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/lye-tapley-shoe-shop) #### Lye-Tapley Shoe Shop Built in 1783 0.1 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/lye-tapley-shoe-shop) [ ![An exterior view of the front of the John Ward House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HHJOHNWARDHOUSE_1700_SHARE_01.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/john-ward-house) #### John Ward House Built in 1685-1699 0.1 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/john-ward-house) [ ![Andrew Safford House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HHAndrewSaffordHouse_1700_share_01.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/andrew-safford-house) #### Andrew-Safford House Built in 1818 0.2 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/andrew-safford-house) [ ![Crowninshield-Bentley House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/EXCrowninshield_Bentley_1700_01.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/crowninshield-bentley-house) #### Crowninshield-Bentley House Built in 1729 0.2 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/crowninshield-bentley-house) [ ![Daniel Bray House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HHDanielBray_1700_share_01.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/daniel-bray-house) #### Daniel Bray House Built in 1766-1806 0.1 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/daniel-bray-house) [ ![Gardner Pingree House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HHGardnerPingree_1700_share_02.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/gardner-pingree-house) #### Gardner-Pingree House Built in 1804–06 0.2 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/gardner-pingree-house) [ ![Derby-Beebe Summer House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HHDERBYBEEBE_1700_SHARE_01.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/derby-beebe-summer-house) #### Derby-Beebe Summer House Built in 1796 0.1 miles from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/derby-beebe-summer-house) [ ![Plummer Hall and Daland House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HH_plummerHall_1700_share.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/plummer-hall) #### Plummer Hall and Daland House Built in 1856 Across the street from PEM [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/plummer-hall) ![View of East India Marine Hall](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/HH_maincampusEIMH_1700_01.jpg) ## Main Campus Located at the corner of Essex Street and New Liberty Street, this is the site of most of the museum’s gallery and office space, housed in buildings of various periods. Several historic structures comprise this part of the campus. [View map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/NZth7pRZ7Vo3AHm78) [ ![Samuel Pickman House](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HHPickmanHouse_1700_share_01.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/samuel-pickman-house) #### Samuel Pickman House Built in 1672 Located behind the museum [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/samuel-pickman-house) [ ![East India Marine Hall](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HHEIMH_1700_share_01.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/east-india-marine-hall) #### East India Marine Hall Built in 1824–25 Incorporated into the main museum building [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/historic-houses/east-india-marine-hall) OPEN TO PUBLIC [ ![Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/_width998/HH_YinYuTang_1800_Share_2.jpg) ](https://www.pem.org/yin-yu-tang-a-chinese-home) #### Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home Built c. 1790s Enter from inside the museum [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/yin-yu-tang-a-chinese-home) PEM Walks Explore PEM Walks, an audio series that takes you into remarkable historic structures in Salem with PEM’s Content Producer Dinah Cardin and Manager of Historic Structures Steven Mallory. [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/visit/tours/self-guided-audio-tours/pem-walks) ## Architectural Styles #### First Period or Post-Medieval First Period or Post-Medieval is the earliest style of architecture found in New England. Look for massive central chimneys; steeply pitched, many-gabled roofs; asymmetrical door and window patterns; wooden batten doors; diamond-paned leaded casement windows; and second-floor overhangs. #### Georgian style Georgian style is based on classical models popular in Britain in the early 18th century. Look for orderly, symmetrical façades, usually of two stories; transom lights or small rectangular windows over doors; double-hung sash windows; and classical details such as pediments, pilasters and columns. #### Federal style Federal style is an American adaptation of the Neoclassical, Roman or Adam style popular in Britain in the late 18th century. Look for orderly, symmetrical façades, usually of three stories; fanlights above doors and sidelights beside doors; semicircular porches; hipped roofs; and classical details such as pediments, pilasters and columns. #### Greek Revival Greek Revival structures are usually one or two stories with a facade that resembles a Greek temple. Columns or pilasters typically have Doric or Ionic capitals. Details such as dormer windows have prominent pediments. #### Italianate town houses Italianate town houses are usually made of sandstone in dark brown or reddish colors. They are meant to evoke the farmhouses of northern Italy. These houses are often square or cube-shaped with round-topped windows and cupolas. Explore PEM’s historic gardens Did you know we’re an arboretum? Explore our museum garden and green spaces around Salem. [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/gardens) Stay up to date. Enter your email to sign up for our newsletter.