New England is overflowing with history dating back centuries from the cobblestone streets in Boston, to the Lexington Green and the Old North Bridge, to the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island. However, what we at Northshore Magazine and our fellow North Shore residents know is that our special region wins the contest for best historical sites. While the region is filled with numerous sites, Salem and its iconic history stands out. This past July the readers of Newsweek voted The House of the Seven Gables in Salem as the Best Historical Home Tour in the United States.
Photographs by Katie Noble
Winning the Number One Spot
“Over 350 years old, this mansion by the sea brims with history: the House of the Seven Gables is one of the country’s largest timber mansions still on its original foundation. The home features prominently in a Nathaniel Hawthorne novel, adding to its fame,” explains Newsweek.com.
According to Newsweek’s website,”Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day,”. The other winners came from North Carolina, California, Georgia, Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, and Wisconsin.
Photographs by Katie Noble
House Tour Tickets
The museum is open daily from 10a.m. to 6p.m., and tickets for the Mansion Tour Package include a 45-minute guided tour of The Gables, a self-guided visit in the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace, a self-guided visit in the Counting House, access to the Museum Store, and an audio tour of the gardens, grounds, and waterfront. Tickets can be purchased online in advance of your visit. They are released on a monthly basis for the following month. Gables members, residents of Salem, and members of the North American Reciprocal Association receive free entry to the museum. The month of October brings special rates, ticket release dates, and events.