Salem's Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, also known as The House of the Seven Gables, has been ranked first on Newsweek's list of the 10 best historical house tours in the country. The mansion is noted for its seafaring history and literary connections.
The house, which owes much of its fame to being the muse for Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1851 novel "The House of the Seven Gables," was built in 1668 and has stood the test of time remarkably, still on its original foundation. History doesn't just come to stay here; it continues to quickly evolve, with the site not only honoring its storied past but also amplifying previously muted voices. "It is important that we tell stories that speak to all our visitors," Dakota Russell, the mansion's executive director, told Boston.com. Reflective of this commitment is their continued celebration of the women, indentured and enslaved laborers, Indigenous populations, and immigrant communities that form the rich tapestry of the mansion's history.
Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2007, The House of the Seven Gables draws over 100,000 visitors each year. They step into a bygone era, with the tour showcasing spaces ranging from the 1668 kitchen to the 1950s Settlement Worker's Bedroom. In keeping with Caroline Emmerton's philanthropic legacy, the mansion today still upholds its mission to support local immigrants—providing ESL and citizenship classes as cited by 7gables.org.
Tours, currently priced at $25 in September and increasing to $30 in October, give guests a 45-minute window to seamlessly traverse through time. From Georgian splendor to spooky October bashes, there seems to be no end to the cultural immersion on offer. Moreover, the mansion is more than a passive relic; it's a vibrant community hub, deeply entwined with Salem's past and present. In a world that often forgets to look back, The House of the Seven Gables stands as a testament, ensuring that history isn't just remembered but is actively engaged with.
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